"What man are you who dares come into this land of
loneliness and fear?"

"I am Siegfried," answered the lad; "and I have come to slay
Fafnir, the Terror."

"Sit in my boat," said the boatman, "and I will carry you
across the river."

And Siegfried sat by the boatman's side; and without the use
of an oar, and without a breath of air to drive it forwards,
the little vessel turned, and moved silently towards the
farther shore.

"In what way will you fight the dragon?" asked the boatman.

"With my trusty sword Balmung I shall slay him," answered
Siegfried.

"But he wears the Helmet of Terror, and he breathes deathly
poisons, and his eyes dart forth lightning, and no man can
withstand his strength," said the boatman.

"I will find some way by which to overcome him."

"Then be wise, and listen to me," said the boatman. "As you
go up from the river you will find a road, worn deep and
smooth, starting from the water's edge, and winding over the
moor. It is the trail of Fafnir, adown which he comes at