River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-08-01
A LEGEND OF THE RHINE.


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The beautiful river Rhine, in some
OF its windings, is not unlike that Dor
ton of our Hudson which flows through
the Highlands. But it differs vastly
from the latter, in that the grand old
hills and i'm mense rocks lying on either
side are covered with ruins of what
were once massive towers, castles, and
strongholds. These frowning battle
ments, perched upon jagged rocks and
steep mountain passes, were the homes
OF the warlike knights and barons of
olden time. whose lives seemed spent
IN warning against each other To all
these ancient ruins throughout Germa
NY, as well as on the Rhine, are attach
ed some story or romance woven from
history or tradition. A charming Ger
man author has gathered into a little
volume many of these legends One of
the most delightful of the legends is
connected with Richard L., King of
England, called Richard "C9ur de-
Lion because of his cour-
age aud bravery.
Richard was born in Oxford, and i'm
1889 succeeded his father, Henry III.
IL is said that his naughty spirit and
unbending will FASTENED the death of
the old king. Partly from remorse for
past misconduct, partly from martial
taste, which early in life distinguished
him, soon after his accession to the
throne he leagued with Philip of
France for a second crusade in Pales-
tine against the famous Saladin, En-
/ Nf u
had wrested Jerusalem from the hands
of the Christian Knight, Reginald de
Chatillon, and slam many of his fol
lowers. News of this disaster reaching
England, Richard determined to regain
possession of the holy city. The KEY
to Syria was the fortress st. Jean D.
Acre, which endured "A siege of two
years before yielding to the forces of
! England and France. However, before
the lOn-hearted monarch had time to
take personal possession of Jerusalem,
news reached him of war at home. He
concluded truce of Saladin, and
quickly embarked to quell the revolt
in his own kingdom. On the coast of
Italy he was shipwrecked. Nothing
daunted by tins new misfortune, he
disguised himself as . pilgrim, hoping
to pass through Germany unseen. BY
some means, however, he became
known TO Leopold, Duke of Austria,
who, to crafty personal prejudice,
caused him TO be arrested and secretly
imprisoned. The fame of this great
monarch had been spread far and near
by pilgrims TO the Holy Land by the
songs of troubadours, and the plaudits
of those who had fought under him.
His own knights worshipped him, and
number of them banded together,
determined, if he were still living, to
find his hiding place and deliver him.
On a lovely summer morning troop
of horsemen were passing through the
country in which lay portion of the
llartz Mountains Three noble looking
men rode forward, evidently the lead
crs of the troops which followed. The
middle horseman was dressed as n min
stTel, aud on his face was an expression
of deep pain and anxiety. Suddenly
| he stopped his horse, To catch the
notes of shepherd, singing in the far
of field. No sooner was the song fin
ished, than he dashed toward the
astonished singer.
MY boy, sing that again. See, |
have gold for youl"
" lis song love !" said the boy,
as ho took the gold and recommended
his music.
Now, tell me, lad" said the min.
strcl, "who taught You that song.
- dare not tell" replied the boy,
as he glanced with suspicion at the
knight
Aye! But you must tell me- No
harm shall come to you'll See, here is
more gold for you."
Il have heard il sung in the castle
OF Triciels, near which often feed my
sheep
"Oh, God - exclaimed the minstrel.
bursting into tears as he kelt on the
ground. Glow wondrous are thy
ways
His companions approached him
with amazemeut, 10 hear him exclaim
We have found him On 81 Trielels /"
After the excitement of their sun
posed discovery had somewhat abated, |
they decided, first, to get view of the
fortress, and then mature their plans
for getting within il. The shepherd
boy, who was 10 guide them thither,
told them no strangers were allowed to
cross the drawbridge, and the keeper
was imperious and unsociable. Soon
the towers of Triefels glittered in the
sun, and, after careful survey of its
surroundings, they moved away for
further delheration.
My friends, said the knight "in
my minstrel's dress l must try alone 10