Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-12-05
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The CHiEFriAN OF TIE LAKE
A SWIS TALE.

ton. A few miles from tins village,
along the winding and irregular shore
are still visible the ruins OF the castle oi
Zwerwaid; ~alonely pile, situated upon
u bold cliff whiCh commands the lake T.
more picturesque and romantic seem
never attracted the ravishcd eye OF the
traveller, or pictured itself IN I e lntu!t-
i've fancy OF the Author Of WavCriy. 80
The cliT shows lis outrageous front TO
wards the water, dcckcd with n dark
green fringe OF hcmlocks and pines that
have laid their bases in the huge clefts.
Formerly, the castle Of Zwcrwa.d was
firmly erected upon this rude pile of Ma
ture, which, from It's bold and Command.
IN site, was able 10 afford "A view Of 10
surrounding country Oh one side, till tn,
J eye was lost IN the height of some z
gantlc mountain; and in the other direc.
ton, ;he silycry usrror of the lax,
suarkled III the midday sunbeams, unth
the enchanting view was obstructed b.
the distant biuG shore, which was dis
cerued Ill several leagues distance
Here, tw0 centuries ago, was the seat
Of the famous Count Erloch, a hero well
known as n chieitain in the SWISS Re-
bc.liOn. lie was one whose heat was
open To every tender sentiment, and
whose feelings would flow unreluclaniiy
in the channels of sympathy; and was
well known as an affectiohatc husband
and sire, aad the bold chief Of the wa,s
Of the Canton The fair Innogcn, whose
praise was often harped at Dljon, was
the only daughter Of Count Uric, and
had fled with the brave Swiss knight
from her fathers castle in Burgundy.
In vain had Count Uric concerted and
adopted each willy plan which his tenn
per could invent to revenge himself up
ont'.n lover of the Countess, but all
proved in VAIN. Ten long and happy
years had rolled along ero the happiness
Of the family of Erloch had in the least
been disturbed
War in all its torrors had pierced with
devastation the country, when Count
ErIoch left with feelings of tenderness,
his family, to enter upon the hazardous
duties of his country.
A conspicuous station was given him
by the venerable commander, William
Tell, aud under that hero he became a
noxious bane to the ~Burgundians and
| Austrians. He was ut the head OF a
body Of peasants when the battle of
Morgarten was fought---and in It he fell
a victim to that cause in which he was
SO g~loriousIy martyred. When tho ar
mics OF both sides had joined in deadly
combat, and when friend and foe were
stretched side by side in the last pangs
ofdeath, Count Erloch was engaged IN
single combat with u distinguished foe
The Swiss, after bravely defending HIM
self, cleft with a single stroke the vi
zor ofthe helmet of his antagonist, and
brought to view the features of his rough
c~ounlcnancc. The knights paused for
"A moment, and %sternl, fixing his eye up
on that Of his foe, the Swiss instantly
recognized his invetcrate enemy, Count
Uric. 1t would be difficult to describe
the feelings Of these warriors upon this
meeting. Inveterate hatred, which had
been manifested on the part Of the Bur-
gundlan for ten years, had hardened tho
feelings ofthe naturally mild Swiss. The
latter, das!,ing his helmet aside, showed
the face Of one, whose blood Uric had
considered an essential requisite to wash
away that haired which had stamped it,
self on his soul.
The Burgundian's eye flashed in fury
and with a dire exclamation he rushed
upon the foe with a tremendous thrust
which was foiled off by Count ErIoch.
A second thrust on the part Of Count
Uric was likewise warded OF; but a
third from the Swiss brought Kim to the
ground. AT the same instant an arrow
pierced the bravo Count Erloch, and
brought him from his steed.
Neither of the knights were desrcr-
atcly wounded, and without any difficult
ty from the loss Of blood, they closed in
deadly conflict. Count Erloch. with his
usual dcxterity, disarmed his foe, and
rushed upon him. Surrender tbyself!
Surrender myself, or this sabre shall
drink thy hearts best gorep
"Never! thou t%raitor!' said he; and
springing from the ground he clasped
with the fury of tiger his foe A sirug-
gle ensued, and Uric was brought to
the earth; but grasping his dagger, no
stabbed the unfortunate Swiss to the
heart!
Uric gazed upon him with the eye of
a demon, and then summoning a squire,
he despatched him from the field Of bat
lie with u body of soldiers to Zurich, to
bring the Countess Innogen from
Zwerwald Castle to them Immediately
Then drawing the blade from the breast