before he was ten years of age, she sent him to Sigmund. But first she
tested him herself by sewing his shirt to his skin and then suddenly
snatching it off again, whereat the child did but laugh at her,
saying: "Full little would a Volsung care for such a smart as that."

So the boy came to Sigmund, who bade him knead the meal while he went
to fetch firewood.

This time the bread stood ready baked upon the hearth when he came
back, whereupon he asked Sinfiotli if he had found nothing in the
meal.

"Ay," said the boy, "I saw there was something living in the meal when
I first began to knead it; but I have kneaded all together, both the
meal and whatever was therein."

Then Sigmund gave a great laugh, and caught the boy in his arms,
saying: "Naught wilt thou eat of this bread to-night, for thou hast
kneaded up therewith the most deadly of serpents."

Though no sting from outside could harm Sinfiotli, he could neither
eat nor drink venom and live. But Sigmund could eat of the bread,
since no poison could harm him.

From that day the training of the lad became Sigmund's constant care,
and he grudged no pains in the effort to make him worthy of a
Volsung's teaching.

In his desire to make him hardy and daring beyond his years he took
Sinfiotli with him on all his expeditions. Together they lived the
wild life of outlaws, faring far and wide through the woods, and
slaying men for their wealth. And the boy forgot his father and
thought as a Volsung.

Now it befell that on a day, as they roamed through the woods, they
came upon a certain house, wherein lay two men, with great gold rings
on wrists and ankles, fast asleep. Over their heads hung the skins of
two grey wolves, and by this Sigmund knew that they were king's sons
who had been turned into were-wolves. Every tenth night would they
come out of their wolf skins and return to them again at dawn.

Then did Sigmund and Sinfiotli, half in jest, put on the wolf skins
while the men lay asleep; and having done this they could in nowise
rid themselves of them till the appointed time. They rushed forth
howling as wolves howl, though each knew the meaning of the sound, and
they lay out in the wild woods all that night.

Next morning each prepared to go his separate way to seek food, and
first they made a compact that they would risk the attack of seven
men; but if more set upon them, each would howl for the other in
wolfish wise.

"For thou art young and over-bold,"