danger, and falls in combat with Siggeir; his ten sons are taken
prisoners, and placed in stocks in the forest. For nine successive nights
a she-wolf comes and devours each night one of them, till only Sigmund
remains. By the aid of Signy he escapes. The she-wolf, it was said, was
the mother of Siggeir.

To Sigmund, who has hidden in a wood, Signy sends her eldest boy of ten
years that Sigmund may test his courage and see if he is fit to be a
helper in seeking revenge. Neither he, however, nor his younger brother
stands the test. Signy sees that only a scion of the race of Volsung will
suffice, and accordingly disguises herself and lives three days with
Sigmund in the wood. From their union a son Sinfiotli is born, whom also,
after ten years, she sends out to Sigmund. He stands every test of
courage, and is trained by Sigmund, who thinks he is Siggeir's son.

Bent on revenge, Sigmund repairs with Sinfiotli to Siggeir's castle.
After Sinfiotli has slain the king's two sons, he and Sigmund are
overpowered and condemned to be buried alive. With Sigmund's sword,
however, which Signy has managed to place in their hands, they cut their
way out, then set fire to Siggeir's hall. Signy comes forth and reveals
to Sigmund that Sinfiotli is their own son; and then, saying that her
work of revenge is complete and that she can live no longer, she returns
into the burning hall and perishes with Siggeir and all his race.

Sigmund now returns home and rules as a mighty king. He marries Borghild,
who later kills Sinfiotli with a poisoned drink, and is cast away by
Sigmund. He then marries Hjordis. Lyngvi, the son of King Hunding, was
also a suitor and now invades Sigmund's land. The latter hews down many
of his enemies, until an old man with one eye, in hat and dark cloak,
interposes his spear, against which Sigmund's sword breaks in two.