Sintram and His Companions, page 69 by Friedrich de la Motte-Fouqué
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being seen, or there being any possibility of distinguishing them by their voices, the following discourse arose:--
"Who is the bravest amongst all those whose race derives its origin from our renowned land?"
"It is Folko of Montfaucon."
"Rightly said; but tell me, is there anything from which even this bold baron draws back?"
"In truth there is one thing,--and we who have never left Norway face it quite willingly and joyfully."
"And that is--?"
"A bear-hunt in winter, over trackless plains of snow, down frightful ice-covered precipices."
"Truly thou answerest aright, my comrade. He who knows not how to fasten our skates on his feet, how to turn in them to the right or left at a moment's warning, he may be a valiant knight in other respects, but he had better keep away from our hunting parties, and remain with his timid wife in her apartments." At which the speakers were heard to laugh well pleased, and then to betake themselves again to their armourer's work.
Folko stood long buried in thought. A glow beyond that of the evening sky reddened his cheek. Gabrielle also remained silent, considering she knew not what. At last she took courage, and embracing her beloved, she said: "To-morrow thou wilt go forth to hunt the bear, wilt thou not? and thou wilt bring the spoils of the chase to thy lady?"
The knight gave a joyful sign of assent; and the rest of the evening was spent in dances and music.
CHAPTER 17
See, my noble lord," said Sintram the next morning, when Folko had expressed his wish of going out with him, "these skates of ours give such wings to our course, that we go down the mountain-side swiftly as the wind; and even in going up again we are too quick for any one to be able to pursue us, and on the plains no horse can keep up with us; and yet they can only be worn with safety by those who are well practised. It seems as though some strange spirit dwelt in them, which is fearfully d