in a tournament, but Etzel
protected his Burgundian guests. At length Blodelin was bribed by
Kriemhild to attack Dankwart with a thousand followers. Dankwart's men
were all slain, but he himself made good his escape by fighting his way
through the closely packed Hunnish ranks. Dankwart rushed to the hall
where the Burgundians were feasting with the Huns, and in great wrath
acquainted Hagen with the treacherous attempt which had been made upon
his life.

"Haste ye, brother Hagen," he cried, "for as ye sit there our knights
and squires lie slain in their chambers."

"Who hath done this deed?" asked Hagen.

"Sir Blodelin with his carles. But he breathes no longer, for myself I
parted his head from his body."

"If he died as a warrior, then it is well for him," replied the grim
Hagen; "but, brother Dankwart, ye are red with blood."

"'Tis but my weeds which ye see thus wet," said Dankwart carelessly.
"The blood is that of other men, so many in sooth that I could not give
ye tale of the number."

"Guard the door, brother," said Hagen fiercely; "guard it yet so
that not a single Hun may escape. I will hold parley with these brave
warriors who have so foully slain defenceless men."

"Well will I guard the doorway," laughed Dankwart; "I shall play ye the
part of chamberlain, brother, in this great business."

The Beginning of the Slaughter

Hagen, mortally incensed at the slaughter of the Burgundians by the
Huns, and wrongly suspecting Etzel of conspiracy in the affair, drew
his sword, and with one blow of the weapon smote off the head of young
Ortlieb, the son of Etzel and Kriemhild. Then began a slaughter grim and
great. The Huns fought at first in self-defence, but as they saw their
friends fall they laid on in good earnest and the combat became general.
At length Dietrich of Bern, as a neutral, intervened, and succeeded in
bringing about a half-truce, whereby Etzel, Kriemhild, and Ruediger were
permitted to leave the hall, the remainder of Etzel's attendants being
slaughtered like sheep. In great wrath Etzel and Kriemhild offered heavy
bribes to any who would slay Hagen. Several attempts were made, but
without avail; and the terrible conflict continued till nightfall,
when a truce was called. From his place of vantage in the hall Giselher
reproached his sister with her treachery, and Kriemhild offered to spare
her brothers if they would consent to give up Hagen. But this offer
they contemptuously refused, holdin