fearful creatures peeping out from behind every tree and
shrub. But, when he looked upwards through the overhanging
tree-tops, he saw the star-decked roof of heaven, the blue
mantle which the All-Father has hung as a shelter over the
world; and he went bravely onwards, never doubting but that
Odin has many good things in store for those who are willing
to trust him.

And by and by the great round moon arose in the east, and
the fearful sounds that had made the forest hideous began to
die away; and Siegfried saw, far down the path, a red light
feebly gleaming. And he was glad, for he knew that it must
come from the charcoal-burners' pits. Soon he came out upon
a broad, cleared space; and the charcoal-burners' fires
blazed bright before him; and some workmen, swarthy and
soot-begrimed, came forwards to meet him.

"Who are you?" they asked; "and why do you come through the
forest at this late hour?"

"I am Siegfried," answered the boy; "and I come from Mimer's
smithy. I seek Regin, the king of charcoal-burners; for I
must have coal for my master's smithy."

"Come with me," said one of the men: "I will lead you to
Regin."

Siegfried alighted from his cart, and followed the man to a
low-roofed hut not far from the burning pits. As they drew
near, they heard the sound of a harp, and strange, wild