Then asked Sigmund if he
had found nothing in the meal.
"I misdoubted me that there was something quick in the meal when
I first fell to kneading of it, but I have kneaded it all up
together, both the meal and that which was therein, whatsoever it
was."
Then Sigmund laughed out, he said --
"Naught wilt thou eat of this bread to-night, for the most deadly
of worms (1) hast thou kneaded up therewith."
Now Sigmund was so mighty a man that he might eat venom and have
no hurt therefrom; but Sinfjotli might abide whatso venom came on
the outside of him, but might neither eat nor drink thereof.
ENDNOTES:
(1) Serpents.
CHAPTER VIII.
The Death of King Siggeir and of Stigny.
The tale tells that Sigmund thought Sinfjotli over young to help
him to his revenge, and will first of all harden him with manly
deeds; so in summer-tide they fare wide through the woods and
slay men for their wealth; Sigmund deems him to take much after
the kin of the Volsungs, though he thinks that he is Siggeir's
son, and deems him to have the evil heart of his father, with the
might and daring of the Volsungs; withal he must needs think him
in no wise a kinsome man, for full oft would he bring Sigmund's
wrongs to his memory, and prick him on to slay King Siggeir.
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