The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1873-08-02
A LEGEND OF THE RHINE.

LEGEND OF THE RHINE.
The beautiful river Rhine, in some
of its windings, Is not unlike that por-
ton of our Hudson which flows through
the Highlands. But it differs vastly
from the latter i'll 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
stronghoids. These frowning battle
ments, perched upon Jagged rocks and
steep mountain passes, were the homes
of the warllke 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 Oh the Rhine, are attach
ed some story or romance woven from
history or tradition. \ charming Ger
man author has gathered into Il little
volume many of these legends. One OF
the most delightful of the legends is
connected with Richard l., King of
England, called Richard . Cnur de
Lion" because of his indomitable cour-
age and bravery.
Richard was born III Oxford, and in
1889 succeeded his father, Henry H.
It 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 ii second crusade IN Pales-
tine against the famous Saladin, En-
, peror of Egypt and Syria. Saladin
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. Tue key
to Syria was the fortress st, Jean D.
Acre, which endured a siege of two
years before Yielding 10 the forces OF
England and France. However, before
the iIon-heartcd monarch had time to
take personal possession Of Jerusalem,
news reached INN Of war ut home. He
concluded a truce OF Saladin, and
quickly embarked 10 quell the revolt
in his own kingdom On the coast OF
italy he was shipwrecked Nothing
daunted by tins new misfortune, he
disguised himself Us 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
2 a number of them banded together,
} determined, If he were still living, to
find his hiding place and deliver him.
, On a lovely summer morning a troop
of hOrSemen were passing through the
country in which lay portion of the
t Hartz Mountains. Three nOble-looking
men rode forward, evidently the lead
ers of the troops which followed. The
middle horseman was dressed as min
Strel, and on his face was IN 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 youw
'''Tis a song | love!" said the boy,
as he took the gold and recommended
his music
CHOW, tell me, lad" said the min
streI, "who taught you that song"
q dare not tell !" replied the boy.
as he glanced with suspicion at the
, knight.
aye! But You must tell me, Nc
| har cJ, 70 -
more gold Tor you. !"
81 have heard it sung IN the castle
of Triefels, near which l often feed my
sheep"
ooh. God - exclaimed the minstrel.
bursting into tears as he kelt on the
ground. Glow wondrous are thy
ways"
His companions approached him
With amazement, to hear him exclaim d.
, We have found him On t. Triefels -
After the excitement of their sup
posed discovery had somewhat abated,
they decided, first, to get view Of the
fortress, and then mature their plans
for getting within it. The shepherd
boy, who was to 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 it's
surroundings, they moved away for
further dchberation.
MY friends, said the knight, d" in
my minstrel's dress [ must try alone to
gain admission to the castle. Mean
t1me this boy will find you lodgings
in the hamlet below. If our noble
King is imprisoned here, we must re-
lease him."
Thus saying, and with one servant to
bear his shield and harp, he rode to
the bridge and demanded food and
shelter for himself and servant. After
much parley, he was received; but
very ungraciously. However, within
these dreary walls he found a beauti-
full woman, the keepers niece, whose
smile was like the warm sunlight on a
winters day.
After dinner the minstrel sung to
the drowsy uncle and the charming
niece. As the former, after while,
seemed to sleep soundly, the knight
began