"About three nights ago this stranger made his appearance amongst us.

I was sitting with my chieftains and warriors round the hearth, forging our armour, and singing the while.

Suddenly, above the din of our hammering and our singing, we heard so loud a noise that it silenced us in a moment, and we sat motionless as if we had been turned into stone.
Before long the sound was repeated; and at last we made out that it must be caused by some person blowing a huge horn outside the castle, seeking for admittance.

I went down myself to the gate, and as I passed through the court-yard all my dogs were so terrified by the extraordinary noise, as to be howling and crouching in their kennels instead of barking.

I chid them, and called to them, but even the fiercest would not follow me.