298 The Journey of Rheinfrid

dread possessed him, for-he felt the ice of
the bridge melting away, and the water of the
melting ice was splashing like rain on the
river of fire, and as each drop fell a little puff
of white steam arose from the place where it |
fell. So, unable to wait till the wings had
‘ grown full, he rose to his feet, and attempted
to follow the Angel. But his wings were
too weak to bear him, and he fell clinging
to the bridge, which shook beneath him.

Once more he prayed; once more his
impatience urged him to rise; and once
more he fell. And the melted ice rained
hissing into the river of fire, and the quick
whiffs of white vapour came up from its
surface.

Then he committed himself to God’s
keeping, and waited in meekness and forti-
tude, saying, “ Whether we live or we die
we are in Thy charge,” and it seemed to him
that, so long as it was God’s will, it mattered
not at all what happened -— whether the
bridge crumbled away, dissolving like a rain-
bow in the clouds, or whether his body were
engulfed in the torrent of burning.

Then straightway, as he submitted himself
thus, his wings grew large and strong, and he