Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-04-10
+ III f IL ID KNI HIT;
Or, The Unknown Crusader.
4 Tale of Germany in Days Of the Empire.
[coyr1NuED FROM orR LAsrJ

Spchh nOufS IN senSeleSS irritation. mol
trled 10 conceal the generous emotions OF the
heart IL the thought was right il was spoken
- from that hour the Knight Of the Eagle knew
that he was welcomed by the only maiden who
had ever won his heart. The emotion was q
strange one, and under its influence his hear
grew light and joyous and his arm stronger.
As soon as possible the two Crusaders put or
their armoF, and then went out into the court
where they found Robert and Bernard with the
horses all caparlSoned; and from the porter they
learned that Won Metzinger was waiting an an
Swer from hlms But just as the porter spoke tn,
voice of the robber knight was heard in loud an
cry tones
IS Halo, within there, thou creeping porter
w nat IS the answer Of thy mistress! WIN SD,
them ~ ~
= Oh, noble sirs, )" spoke the old porter. tremb
ling from bead to foot, ''only last week Sir Ottc
and his crew robbed the Convent OF ~ Mar ~
BaTb!onn, carried of all the gold and silver and
killed four armed peasants, who had come up &c
help defend the place -
say We so, Then l. faith, we'll send them oe
bowling now. Where is there Ioop- hole tb rongf
which can count the villains 90
The porter led the way to the small wicket In
which winch IneTe was a small piece of chain netting
robbers. There were two Knights and fourteen
men-at-arms-the latter on foot and armed with
cross bows and swords, and wearing the usual
arnlor OF the foot soldiers Of the pefiOd-round
shell caps of iron, with deep capes behind cuir-
asses Of brass, with joint at the neck thus sup
plying the place OF a gorget; but no bressarts or
fCOm what our hero could see of their faces he
would have judged them TO be lust fit for some
such work. Sir Otto was stout, powerful man.
and as ne now wore his visor up the crusader
could see that he had bold, bad look The 9TH
er knight, the porter said, was Sir John Won Main
hardt; and that knight our crusaders knew had
been placed under the ban OF the empire for his
evil deed, but particularly for having robbed the
Archbishop Of Mayence.
- Call out our men, said the unknown 0sand
have them arranged in the court here to be read Y
for any who may chance TO dodge in. Now Sir
Engelbert, We will out upon them, while Robert
and Bernard follow to scatter the hirelingsu
Thus speaking the Black Knight closed his
visor, and having loosened his axe, and coucheli
his lance, he called upon the porter TO throw
back ehe gate As the way was thus opened, six
III the men al arms were bringing ND heavy Iov
with which they meant to batter down the wick
ct. The movement OF Sir Otto and his rompan-
ion. when they beheld the unexpected presence
was one Of establishment; bat ere they could be-
tray much emotion our hero spoke: .
How ROW, Sir knighss-what would We
Who are you that dare question Otto of Metz
inger!" the fobber retorted. Just stand where
You are and I'll ride thee down as would a pray
ing num-
As Sir Otto spoke he gathered mp his rein, and
put spurs to his horse and with his impious bat
rle cry of-''ths SPoiIs 20 the mgh!y! !''-he dash
ed on
= God aHd ST. 4FaIria!'' shouted the Unknown.
as ne braeed himself for the shock He did not
move from the place where he stood. He only
FOR the guard. He felt the power Of a giant i'm
mis- good right arm, and full well he knew that
the OncOmng knight only rushed upon defeat
He had received too many charges to miss his
mark now; even his horse had been so thorough
ly trained that single word was sufficient for its
guidance
With firm hand the Black Eagle held his
Lance, and As the rObber came dashing upon him
quic ckiy-spoken word caused his horse TO leap
upon on side, and at the same moment his lance,
with movement almost imperceptible. turned
he inf fnf
shoulder, while the steel head Of his own spear
caught SIR OttO's helm just below the visor and
rolled him from his horse upon the ground. Al
most at the same moment sir John Won Main
hardt fell beneath the stroke OF EngeIbert
The Unknown leaped from his saddle and
placed his sword at the throat OF the fallen
knight -
Now Weld thee recreant knight.i'
- But TO whom asked Otto, in struggling
To the Black EOgIs Of Palestine 80 shouted
Mercy "a gasped the vanquished man "why
didn't you tell me so -
= But do you yield ?"
- And if I spare thee, wilt thou give me thine
oath that thou wilt not trouble this place again -
- The terms are hard
e. But is not life valuable9 Remember-I would
Kill thee as quickly as would any other robber ~
spare me promise
:, Then upon thy knees and take the oath. That
IS the ordeal. ="
upon his knees, and with the cross OF the crlisa-
der 5 sword before him, be took the prescribed
oath
Well doue Sir Otto Won Metzinger. Now
call thy robber crew OF, and go in search Of some
more legitimate game''
In the meantime the two esquires had been do
Ing heavy work among the Inen-a-arns Rob
cTt Of Swingenhoffen was like wild bull among
them. while Bernard staIked about like sto.k
among ffogs. Their long experience against the
Saracenes had given them notions of combat of
their lUdilinU all
Three Of the robber Tetainers were slain outright
while most Of the others were either senseless
upon the ground or crawling away with cracked
and aching heads.
Sir John Mainhardt, as soon as he knew
who his captor was, readily took the same oath
that his companion had taken, and then they were
allowed TO depart; though ere they did so the lat
Ter poured out his enmity and threats profusely.
By the holy host, Sir Crusaders, you have
Ventured into nest Of hornets, as you shall find
20 your cost. III yon get out OF these mountains
with whole skin you'll be fortunate =:
With this threat upon his lips, the robber-
knight turned TO where his men, arms were
party rode Or-all save the three dead ones, their
bodies being left for the monks to dispose Of
Blessings, deep and sincere, were showered d
Epon the two crusaders when they returned TO the
convent; and when they heard of the oath they
had made the marauders take, the abbess could
not speak her gratitude.
hearty breakfast was eaten, and after this the
tTO knights signined their intention 0f departing.
The storm OF the previous evening had passed
away, and the air of the spring morning was fresh
and fragrant. .-
Do you 20 near Stuttgart ~ the abbess asked
Directly thithcr, +" the Black knight answered.
Then you will easily reach it before dark II
your horses are strong" s. .....
Certainly
have favor to ask of thee,' the abbess re-
sumed, addressing him Of the Eagle. The Lady
Agnes has been for several days watching for some
inrnds who had promised to come and conduit
her 10 Stuttgart, where she would 20 to see her
cousins, Constance Of Baden, and Blanche Of
!" urteInbufg- They may not come for a long
"hlie and II you will accept the charge l shall
give her into thy keeping, for safe delivery at the
'A''ie oi EveTha Won Wurtemberg.'
ErsfhaTd rOH WRTfeLHbErg -; repeated the
hLark Eagle. The Wild knight Of swabia ~
- slf Crusader. He is surely the widest
=, 81. lh al ChristendOm; and the most jealous
"l restraint Even the Emperor lac sets al def
anu Claims ali mankind for his foes He IS
,,,I >, ,ISeIng, and a cousin Of mine to boot, He
- - "a. had VI tue TObber knights Of the
efpn"' nqt he IS brave man, and would scorn
S,,-vatI,'1,' 'soa lie would lie down and die Of
I-, ia. t'tui ~, sIe ne would rob woman; and his
striks foni hii'a naie TO the sword ere he would