stay. Onward he went, till he reached the waste land that bordered the sea. There high mountains stood, with snow-crowned crags looking over the waves; and a great river, all foaming with the summer floods, went rolling through the valley.

But in the deep dells between the mountains there were rich meadows, green with grass and speckled with flowers, where great herds of cattle and deer and untamed horses fed in undisturbed peace. And Siegfried, when he saw them, knew that he had arrived at the famous pasture lands of Gripir, the oldest and wisest of all herdsmen.

High upon a mountain peak stood Gripir's dwelling - a mighty house, made of huge bowlders, brought hither by giant hands. Upon its roof the eagles had built their nests, and around its doors the mountain vultures were always screaming.

Siegfried wondered, but was not afraid. He climbed the steep pathway which the feet of no other man had trod, and walked boldly into Gripir's hall. The room was so dark that at first he could see nothing save the white walls and the glass-green pillars which upheld the roof. But the light grew stronger, and presently he saw the ancient Gripir, seated under a canopy of stone. The chair of this son of the giants was made of sea-horses' teeth, a blue mantle was

thrown over his shoulders, and his white beard fell in waves almost to the marble floor.

Very wise seemed the ancient herdsman, and he smiled kindly at the boy, Siegfried.

"Hail to thee, Siegfried!" he cried. "Welcome, thou prince with the gleaming eye. Come and sit by my side in the high seat where no other man has sat, and I will tell thee of things that have been, and of things that are yet to be."

So Siegfried went fearlessly forward and sat down by the side of the wise one. And they talked together long and earnestly - and each was glad to hear the cheering words of the other. All night long they talked, and at dawn Siegfried arose to go.

"You have not told me of your errand," said old Gripir, "but I know what it is. The world is all before you. Take that which is your own. Choose from my pastures a steed that is worthy of you, and ride forth to win a name and fame among men."

Then Siegfried, having spoken his thanks, ran down to the grassy dell where the horses were feeding. The beasts were all so fair that he knew not which to choose. As he paused in wonder, uncertain what to do, a strange man suddenly stood before him. Tall and handsome was the man, and his face beamed like the dawn of a summer day.

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"Would you choose a horse, Sir Siegfried?" he asked kindly.

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Indeed, I would," answered the boy; "but it is hard to choose among so many that are excellent." "There is one that is far better than the rest," said the stranger. "He will serve you, and never fail." "Which is he?" asked Siegfried.

"Drive the herd into the river, and then see if you can pick him out," was the answer.

So Siegfried drove the horses down the sloping bank into the foaming stream; but the flood was too strong for them. Some soon turned back to the shore; and others, struggling madly, were swept away and carried to the distant sea.

Only one swam safely across. He shook the water from his mane and then turned and plunged again into the stream. Right bravely he stemmed the torrent the second time. He clambered up the sloping bank, and stood fearlessly by Siegfried's side.

"Do I need to tell you that this is the horse?" said the stranger. "This is Greyfell, the shining hope, worthy to serve the noblest of all heroes. Take him."

Then Siegfried noticed that the horse's mane glittered and flashed like the rays of the sun, and that his coat was as white and clear as the fresh-fallen snow on the mountains. . He turned to speak to the

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stranger, but he was nowhere to be seen, and Siegfried wondered who, indeed, this had been who had helped him in his choice.

With a light heart, he sprang upon the noble Greyfell and rode briskly across the meadows.

"Whither ridest thou?" cried Gripir, the ancient herdsman, from his doorway on the mountain crag.

"I ride into the great wide world," said Siegfried, "but I know not which road to take. Tell me, I pray you, whither I shall go; for you are wise, and you know the things which have been and the things which are to be."

"Do this," answered the son of the giants: "Wherever you can help the needy, there ride. Wherever you can right the wrong, there ride. Wherever you can punish evil, there ride, and fear not. Farewell."

And the mighty master of herdsmen withdrew into his lonely abode; and Siegfried rode joyously out into the world to do his part among men.

EXPRESSION: Read the story silently and observe the most interesting passages. Compare Greyfell with Bucephalús. Compare Siegfried with Alexander. Read with expression the dialogue between Siegfried and the stranger.

PROPER NAMES: Siegfried (sēg'frēd), a hero of many German legends; Greyfell (grā'fĕl); Grī'pir, an ancient herdsman, the last of the giants.