The Portland daily press., 1868-10-17

3. The hall decaye1 boughs were instantly on
fire The violence of the wind swept it on
ward. and the nest itself was wrapped in
flames. The condor had taken flight at the
first gush of smoke, but recalled by the cries
of her young, wheeled round and round the
blazing tree, uttering hoarse, short cry at
intervals, and Tapping her huge wings, as if
maddeped with rage and despair Anon she
dashed turiously at Schaffhold who nothing
daunted struck at her with his axe. the onlS
weapon OF defense The bird wheeled round
HIM and then plunged mady into the flames
10 the rescue of its young. Long and fruit
less were its efforts; it mingled its horrid
shrleks in the blast of the storm till the co un-
try around was aroused but all in vain were
Its struggles, the fire had so weakened it that,
overcome, the huge creature fell at full
length, exhausted, at the feet of the youth,
who with one mighty stroke OF his axe, sew
cred the head from the body OF the pros
trate enemy. which should now no longer be
the terror of the husblndmen, and which, if
the Duke were but right minded toward
the honest and deserving, should lead him to
| his fortune. Dragging the carcass of his
PROSTATE Toe to the edge of the precipice, he
| precipitated it over the side, and at length
managed to make safe descent with it into
the valley. Here, to his surprise, the whole
population, as well as stately followers of the
court, were assembled, attracted by the fire
and the wailing cries of the condor, and had
been the witnesses OF his prowess.
The Duke listened to his account of his
adventure, and demanded his name.
"Shaffheld, the son of Wollfang, the herd
man." was the reply: and the youth saw
with pain the smile that passed round the
noble circle.
| But the Duke exclaimed after a moments
| hesitation.
Bring forth my dauehterw
Several OF the knights ventured to remon.
strate. But the Duke once more babe them
do his bidding.
There was pause, and presently Rubets
appeared, leaning on her mothers arm, pale
and trembling. Again there was murmur
but the Duke exclaimed; .f-
Il pledged my royal word that whoever
should Stay the condor should receive my
daughters hand; it is true, l did not think
that one so lowly born would attempt, or i
attempt, succeed against such noble knights
but, as success has attended his efforts, ht
has shown himsef more worthy than you al
and L will not break my word. Young mar
take my daughter; thou art comely as thor
art brave, and let no knight here murmur a
my roval tight to do justice to desert"
Schaifhold advanced 10 the Duke ant
kneeling down, exclaimed:
81 would risk life thousand times for 81
fair prize, but will not take the hand tina
the lady doth not willingly bestow."
"Now, by the rood, thy spirit is knight,
enough" exclaimed Duke Henry, "but it i
our will that thou dost wed the lady. Ru
berta, what sayest thou?"
Il will obey thee, my father" said tn,
said the maiden, from whose cheek the fusl
of joy had chased away its paleness.
The Duke joined their hands. "And tia
thou mayst have home stately enough for
bride" he continued will give thee as nue.
land as thou canst encircle in one days jour
ney. On the rock thou didst climb-th
condor's eyrie-I will build stately castl
for thee and thine, which shall be Gale,
Griefenstein, in remembrance of the bir
which brought thee fortune"
The same day was the bridal of the prin
cess and herdsman solemnly celebrated. o.
the following morning Shaffhold commence
the circuit OF the land which formed the dc
mains OF Greifenstein. The Duke confirme,
the gift, and in the presence of the Who'll
| court, created the young man knight am
noble, with the title of Baron Schaatgottsct