The spring had come in its brightness to the northern lands, when one morning Sintram turned his horse homewards, after a successful encounter with one of the most formidable disturbers of the peace of his neighbourhood.

His horsemen rode after him, singing as they went.

As they drew near the castle, they heard the sound of joyous notes wound on the horn.

"Some welcome visitor must have arrived," said the knight; and he spurred his horse to a quicker pace over the dewy meadow.

While still at some distance, they descried old Rolf, busily engaged in preparing a table for the morning meal, under the trees in front of the castle-gates.