The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-09-18

ers came and Hagen, who would not
desert them in peril, came with them.
They were accompanied by a following of
over 1000 knights of fame. Onqtheir way
to the court of the King of Hunland
they had many warnings-but 1t was too
late to turn back When Kriemhde
greeted them in her royal hall they saw
by her manner that she meant mischief
The trouble began at a tournament In
which Hagen, losing control of himself,
killed a giant Hun who charged against
him. The matter was set down to acct
dent. but left sore feeling. Krlemnds
energetically fostered the discord, though
King Etzel sought to smooth things over.
He had had son, Ortlieb, by Kriem-
hide, and as the great mobiles and knights
and the kings sat at their feast that
night he presented the boy to the Bur-
gundians, saying that he would have them
take him back to Worms with them, there
to be educated. Hagen, always of sour
and savage disposition, spoke churlish-
ly and roughly, saying: 1.-THE young
princeling seems to be but poorly in
health. For one, do not expect to be
his courtier long" The King was an
gered, but guest is sacred, and he con-
trolled himself. AS they sat thus all sui
len and expectant of evil, King Etzers
brother, young Bledel, who had been set
on by Kriemhilde. suddenly appeared with
strong following and announced that
he had come to avenge the death of
Sieefried. "Such," cried he, us Queen
Kriemhilde's will" Sets the wind that
way?" cried Kriemhilde's brother Dank-
wart, and making his sword sing, he sew
cred Bledels head from his body. Il
always knew that Kriemhilde would have
her revenge some time," cried Hagen.
but she shall have something to pay for
it, With stroke of his sword he cut
off the head of young Prince Ortlieb,
which rolled into Kriemhildes lap.
A general fight now took place in
the banquet hall. a, general slaughter.
in which quite as many Huns were
Killed as Burgundians. The Burgun-
dams now retreated to the building
where they had been CHARTERED and
there were besieged by the Huns. They
sent messenger begging King Etzel
to come and hear what they had to
say. He came, but not alone-Kriem-
| hide came with him. She demanded
| that Hagen be delivered up. He had
broken her heart at home and now he
had killed her child They would not
give up Hagen. and Kriemhilde, In a
rage, ordered that the building where
they were besieged set on fire. But
| ba hull
1t was strong and we'll built, and at
daybreak Kriemhilde, who seems to
have taken charge of things entirely,
sent strong body of Huns to storm
the place.
The place was taken and all the Bur-
gundians were killed except Hagen and
/ Gunther, who were taken prisoners
and taken before Queen Kriemhilde.
She had Hagen put in one cell and
Gunther in another. Then she sent to
Hagens cell and told him that, though
she hated him, she would spare his
life If he would tell her where the
treasure of the NibeluI.gs was hidden.
"As long as my liege lord lives none
shall know" answered Hagen. Kriem-
hide went away and ordered Gunther
to be killed at once. Then, taking his
! bloody head in her hands she carried 1t
to the cell of Hagen. ut has come
about as I foresaw," cried Hagen. mo
one knows the hiding place of the
| treasure but God and me. Never, thou
| fend of woman. shall 1t be known
to thee"
Now, Hagen had brought with him
10 Hunland Balmung. the magic sword
of the murdered Siegfried. Kriemhilde
saw 1t there, lying near the prisoner,
and, quick as thought, she drew 1t
| from its scabbard and struck Hagen's
! head off with 1t. King Ethel had come
| to stay the hand of his wife. With
| him was an old knight, Hildebrand by
name, uncle Of the King of Berne, who
happened to be visiting at EtzeIs
court. Hildebrand was a great admirer
of Hagem IT will avenge him, for he
was a brave man. cried the old knight,
and he struck Kriemhilde with his
sword. so that she fell down dead be-
side Hagen. King Etze1 and his friends
| wept aloud, raising piteous cry to
heaven.
| Next weeks one-page classic will be
"Taras Bulba.' by Nikolai vasilievitch
|