he fell upon the sword and was instantly killed.

Siegfried was filled with horror when he saw what had happened. He
sprang upon his horse's back and fled as fast as possible from the
dreadful scene.

"What happened to Siegfried after that? Did he have any more
adventures?" asked Bertha.

"Yes, indeed. There were enough to fill a book. But there is one in
particular you girls would like to hear. It is about a beautiful
princess whom he freed from a spell which had been cast upon her."

"What was her name, papa?" asked Gretchen.

"Brunhild, the Queen of Isenland. She had been stung by the thorn of
sleep."

Odin, the great god, had said, "Brunhild shall not awake till some
hero is brave enough to fight his way through the flames which shall
constantly surround the palace. He must then go to the side of the
sleeping maiden and break the charm by a kiss upon her forehead."

When Siegfried, in his wanderings, heard the story of Brunhild, he
said, "I will make my way through the flames and will myself rescue
the fair princess."

He leaped upon the back of his magic steed, and together they fought
their way through the fire that surrounded the palace of the sleeping
beauty. He reached the gates in safety. There was no sign of life