Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-01-22

Archbisbop's troops Unexpectedly sur
rounded the fortress, aud summoned the
twelve immured knights to surrender.
In answer to this the Templars resolutely
refused to deliver themselves up into the
hands Of their enemies. Mindful Of the
fate Of their ill-starred brethren, they at
once prepared the castle for a vigorous
defense, having agreed, by common con-
sent, to sell their lives as dearly as pos
sible.
The besieging party we're numerically
strong--a regular siege was begun, and
followed pp with much zeal.
Opposed to the repeated assaults of q
superior force, the Tomplars had only
the hopeless conviction that, with ell
their valor, nothing but death awaited
them. Nevertheless. they were resolute,
and, indeed, it might be said desperate
from the very nature of their situation.
They opposed the numerous enemy with
indomitable courage; and numbers of the
Archbishop's soldiers, struck with great
stones, or riddled with arrows, sank to
the earth never to rise again.
The obstinate nature of the resistance
on the part of the besieged served to in
fame with rage the attacking party,
who were stung with shame that twelve
Knights should be able to successfully
defy them. Preparations were made for
general assault, which was artfully
planned and cleverly carried out.
Favored by the darkness of the night,
the Archbishop's troops surrounded the
castle on every side; and although the
heroic Templars performed incredible
acts of valor, their number was much too
small to admit of their repelling the
vigorous assaults of their enemies. They
found it utterly impossible to withstand
the continually increasing pressure of the
besiegers. The principal entrance to
the castle was earried-not, however,
without considerable loss of life. A heap
of slain around the gates proved the san
culinary nature of the contest. Having
once gained entrance, the besiegers,
pressed forward, and rushed into
the various apartments of the doomed.
The Templars stood undsunted before
the coming foe. They cheered each other
| on by the remembrance of their slaugh-
tered brethren, and all fell vslisntly but
one, who though bleeding from number.
less wounds, still brandished his sword.
This one was Hildesheim, the lover OF
Illek Gwertler.
His bearing was halghty; and there
was a strange glitter in his blood-shot
eyes.
The morning was breaking, and the
first rays of the sun shone upon the
scene of devastation and death in the
court yard.
True courage always commands re-
spect; the leader of the Archbishop s
troops was seized with an involuntary
esteem and admiration for the last war
rior in LahDeck. He turned toward
Hans Gwertler, and whispered few
words Of council in his ear.
The burgomaster looked panied and
troubled; he had not reckoned upon
meeting with SO desperate q resistance.
Surrender your sword" demanded
Hans Gwertler, addressing Hil6esheim.
ain return / promise you life and lib
erty. with this reservation, that you leave
the land for some foreign cline. Sur
render"
"Nos to any living man |" answered
Hildesheim, proudly. BY the memory
of my slain brethren, swear to yield
only with my life Do your worstl l
defy You !" i.
"Resistance is useless, it is madness
Listen to one who would fain be your
friend" said the burgomaster, in q soft
ened tone. For my sake, and the sake
of he was about to add his
daughter; but he suddenly checked him
self, and said, "For your own sake, /
coujure you not to remain thus obsti-
nate |"
"You have heard my answer. The
Templars never surrender
The apartment in which this converse
ton had taken place was filed with
armed men, who, with chivalrous feel
ing for a conquered foe, remained for
awhile passive, giving unmistakable evi-
dence of their uDwillingness to COM
mence hostilities with the Templar.
"You are self wiled and obstinate"
said the commander of the besieging
force "Will nothing prevail upon you
to forego the sternness Of your purposeT
Nothing" answered Hildeshein
CURLY. Upon this he waved his sword,
aud rushed into the very midst of his
enemies, several of whom we're weunded
by his avenging sword.
MAKE way there Close round, and
take him prisoner |" exclaimed the
leader of the force.
The soldiers attempted to affect cap
ture, but the effort was vain one. A
body OF archers, irritsted at the obsti-
macy and perverseness of Hildesheim,
leveled their crossbows at him.
A wild shrek rang through the apart
ment, and ere the next minute the Tenn
plar was stretched lifeless, and over his
PROSTATE body fell Illek, the burgomas-
ter's daughter.
She had fang herself before her lover
when the bowmen were about to fire, and
received her death-wound.
Hans GvertleT FASTENED to the side Of
his daughter. Shs regarded him with q
glance Of resignation and inefable sweet
ness, aud uurmured in o low voice,
"Grieve not for me, father My heart is
broken; and / am glad that the end Of
all bAs come" Her lips continued to
move for brief period, but no audible
sound escaped them, and then she passed
away; aud il is said that, even at the