tiently waited until the time of
their release should come. To their great relief the skins dropped
off on the ninth night, and they hastily flung them into the fire,
where they were entirely consumed, and the spell was broken for ever.

Sigmund and Sinfiotli taken by Siggeir

Sigmund now confided the story of his wrongs to Sinfiotli, who swore
that, although Siggeir was his father (for neither he nor Sigmund
knew the secret of his birth), he would aid him in his revenge. At
nightfall, therefore, he accompanied Sigmund to the king's hall, and
they entered unseen, concealing themselves in the cellar, behind the
huge vats of beer. Here they were discovered by Signy's two youngest
children, who, while playing with golden rings, which rolled into
the cellar, came suddenly upon the men in ambush.

They loudly proclaimed their discovery to their father and his guests,
but, before Siggeir and his men could take up arms, Signy took both
children, and dragging them into the cellar bade her brother slay the
little traitors. This Sigmund utterly refused to do, but Sinfiotli
struck off their heads ere he turned to fight against the assailants,
who were now closing in upon them.

In spite of all efforts Sigmund and his brave young companion soon
fell into the hands of the Goths, whereupon Siggeir sentenced them to
be buried alive in the same mound, with a stone partition between them
so that they could neither see nor touch each other. The prisoners were
accordingly confined in their living grave, and their foes were about
to place the last stones on the roof, when Signy drew near, bearing a
bundle of straw, which she was allowed to throw at Sinfiotli's feet,
for the Goths fancied that it contained only a few provisions which
would prolong his agony without helping him to escape.

When all was still, Sinfiotli undid the sheaf, and great was his
joy when he found instead of bread the sword which Odin had given to
Sigmund. Knowing that nothing could dull or break the keen edge of
this fine weapon, Sinfiotli thrust it through the stone partition,
and, aided by Sigmund, he succeeded in cutting an opening, and in
the end both effected their escape through the roof.

"Then in the grave-mound's darkness did Sigmund the king upstand,
And unto that saw of battle he set his naked hand;
And hard the gift of Odin home to their breasts they drew;
Sawed Sigmund, sawed Sinfiotli, till the stone was cleft atwo,
And