Now when all were come upon the shore, the king gan ask: “Who will show us the right roads through this land, that we go not astray?”

Then the sturdy Folker spake: “For this I alone will have a care.”

“Now hold,” quoth Hagen, “both knight and squire. Certes, me-thinketh right that we should heed our friends. With full monstrous tales I’ll make you acquaint: we shall never come again to the Burgundian land. Two mermaids told me early in the morning that we should not come back again. I will now counsel you what ye do: ye must arm you, ye heroes, for we have mighty foes. Ye must guard you well and ride in warlike guise. I thought to catch these mermaids in a lie. They swore that none of us would come home safe and sound, save the chaplain alone. Therefore would I fain have drowned him today.”

These tidings flew from band to band and valiant heroes grew pale from woe, as they began to fear a grewsome death on this journey to Etzel’s court. Forsooth they had great need. When they had crossed at Moering, 142 where Else’s ferryman had lost his life, Hagen spake again: “Sith I have gained me foes upon the way, we shall surely be encountered. I slew this same ferryman early on the morn today. Well they wot the tale. Now lay on boldly, so that it may go hard with Gelfrat and Else, should they match our fellowship here today. I know them to be so bold that ’twill not be left undone. Let the steeds jog on more gently, that none ween we be a-fleeing on the road.”

“This counsel I will gladly follow,” quoth Giselher, the knight; “but who shall guide the fellowship across the land?”

They answered: “This let Felker do; the valiant minstrel knoweth both road and path.”

Ere the wish was fully spoken, men saw the doughty fiddler standing there well armed. On his head he bound his helmet, of lordly color was his fighting gear. On his spear shaft he tied a token, the which was red. Later with the kings he fell into direst need.

Trustworthy tidings of the ferryman’s death were now come to Gelfrat’s ears. The mighty Else had also heard the tale. Loth it was to both; they sent to fetch their heroes, who soon stood ready. In a passing short time, as I’ll let you hear, one saw riding towards them those who had wrought scathe and monstrous wounds in mighty battles. Full seven hundred or more were come to Gelfret. When they began to ride after their savage foes, their lords did lead them, of a truth. A deal too strong they hasted after the valiant strangers; they would avenge their wrath. Therefore many of the lordings’ friends were later lost.

Hagen of Troneg had well planned it (how might a hero ever guard his kinsmen better), that he had in charge the rear guard, with his liegemen and his brother Dankwart. This was wisely done.

The day had passed away; the night was come. For his friends he feared both harm and woe, as beneath their shields they rode through the Bavarian land. A short time thereafter the heroes were assailed. On either side of the highway and in the rear hard by they heard the beat of hoofs. Their foes pressed on too hard. Then spake hold Dankwart: “They purpose to attack us here, so hind on your helmets, for that be well to do.”

They stayed their journey, as though it must needs he; in the gloom they spied the gleam of shining shields. Hagen would no longer keep his peace; he called: “Who chaseth us upon the highway?”

To this Gelfrat must needs give answer. Quoth the margrave of Bavaria: “We seek our foes and have galloped on behind you. I know not who slew my ferryman today, but it doth rue me enow, for he was a hero of his hands.”

Then spake Hagen of Troneg: “And was then the ferryman thine? The fault was mine, he would not ferry us over, so I slew the knight. Forsooth I had great need, for I had sheer gained at his hands my death. As meed I offered him gold and trappings, that he ferry me across to thy land, Sir Knight. This angered him so greatly that he smote me with a mighty oar. At this I waxed grim enow. I seized my sword and fended him his anger with a grievous wound. Thus the hero met his death. I’ll make amends, as doth think thee best.”

“Well I wist,” spake Gelfrat, “when Gunther and his fellowship rode hither, that Hagen of Troneg would do us harm. Now he shall not live; the knight must stand for the ferryman’s life.”

Over the bucklers Gelfrat and Hagen couched their spears for the thrust; each would charge the other. Else and Dankwart rode full gloriously; they tested who they were, fierce was the fight. How might heroes ever prove each other better? From a mighty thrust Hagen was unhorsed by Gelfrat’s hand. His martingale snapped, he learnt what it was to fall. The crash of shafts resounded from their fellowship. Hagen, who from the thrust afore had come to earth, down on the grass, sprang up again. I trow, he was not gentle of mood towards Gelfrat then. Who held their steeds, I know not; both Hagen and Gelfrat had alighted on the sand and rushed together. Their fellowship helped thereby and became acquaint with strife. Albeit Hagen sprang at Gelfrat fiercely, the noble margrave smote from his shield a mickle piece, so that the sparks flew wide. Full nigh did Gunther’s liegeman die therefrom. He began to call to Dankwart: “O help, dear brother! Certes, a hero of his hands hath matched me, he will not spare my life.”

At this hold Dankwart spake: “I’ll play the umpire here.”

The hero then sprang nearer and with a sharp sword smote Gelfrat such a blow that he fell down dead. Else then would fain avenge the knight, but he and his fellowship parted from the fray with scathe. His brother had been slain, he himself was wounded; full eighty of his knights remained with grim death behind upon the field. Their lord must needs turn in flight from Gunther’s men.

When those from the Bavarian land gave way and fled, one heard the savage blows resound behind them. Those of Troneg chased their foes; they were in passing haste, who had not weened to make amends. Then spake Dankwart, the knight, in their pursuit: “Let us turn soon on this road and let them ride, for they be wot with blood. Haste we to our friends, this I advise you of a truth.”

When they were come again, where the scathe had happed, Hagen of Troneg spake: “Heroes, prove now what doth fail us here,............