back he told her that one of them was dead, and great and
grievous she deemed it, if they should all fare in like wise, and
yet naught might she avail them.

Soon is the tale told thereof: nine nights together came the she-
wolf at midnight, and each night slew and ate up one of the
brethren, until all were dead, save Sigmund only; so now, before
the tenth night came, Signy sent that trusty man to Sigmund, her
brother, and gave honey into his hand, bidding him do it over
Sigmund's face, and set a little deal of it in his mouth; so he
went to Sigmund and did as he was bidden, and then came home
again; and so the next night came the she-wolf according to her
wont, and would slay him and eat him even as his brothers; but
now she sniffs the breeze from him, whereas he was anointed with
the honey, and licks his face all over with her tongue, and then
thrusts her tongue into the mouth of him. No fear he had
thereof, but caught the she-wolf's tongue betwixt his teeth, and
so hard she started back thereat, and pulled herself away so
mightily, setting her feet against the stock that all was riven
asunder; but he ever held so fast that the tongue came away by
the roots, and thereof she had her bane.

But some men say that this same she-wolf was the mother of King
Siggeir, who had turned herself into this likeness by troll's
lore and witchcraft.



CHAPTER VI.
Of how Signy sent the Children of her and Siggeir to Sigmund.