The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-04-16

yrdnO OH nils anu immense ROCKS
lying on either side are covered with
ruins of what were once massive
towers, castles and stronghOlds.
These frowning battlements pcrched
upon jagged rocks and steep noun
tain passes, were the homes of the
warlike knights and barons of olden
times, whose lives seemed spent in
warning against each other. TO all
these ancient ruins throughout Ger
many, as well as on the Rhine, is at
tached some story or romance woven
from history and tradition. A
German author has gather
ed into little volume many of these
legends. One of the most delightful
of them Is connected with Richard
l., King of England, called Richard
Cnur-de-Lion, because Of his indom-
liable courage and bravery.
Richard was born in Oxford, anu
in 1889 succeeded his father, Henry
III. 1t is said his naughty spirit and
u Intending will fastened the death of
the old King. Partly from remorse
for past misconduct, partly from mar
tial taste, which in early life distin-
guished him, soon after his accession
to the throne he leagued with Philip
OF France for n second crusade
against the famous Saladin, Emperor
of Egypt and Syria. Saladin had
wrestled Jerusalem from the hands of
the Christian knight, Reninald de
ChatiliOn, and slain many of his
followers. News of this disaster
reaching England, Richard determin-
ed to gain possession of the holy city.
The key to Syria was the fortress ST..
Jean D'Arce, which endured a siege
of two years before yielding to the
combined forces of England and
France. However, before the lion
hearted monarch had time to take
personal possession of Jerusalem,
news reached him of war at home.
He concluded a truce with Saladin,
and quickly embarked to quell the
revolt i'm his own Kingdom. On the
coast of Italy he was ship-wrecked.
Nothing daunted by this new mis-
fortune, he disguised himself as q
pilgrim, hoping to pass through
Germany unseen, BY some means,
however, he became known to Leo
pold, Duke of Austria, who, to graf
lily personal prejudice caused him
to be arrested and secretly imprison-
ed. The fame of this great monarch
had been spread far and near by pill.
grims to the Holy land by the songs
of trOubadOrs, and the plaudits OF
those who fought under him. His
own knights wOrshiped him, and a
number of them banded together,
determined, if he was still living, to
find his hidingplace and deliver him.
One lovely summer morning, a
troop of horsemen were passing
through the country, in which lay Q
portion of the Hartz mountains
Three nOblc-looking men rode for
ward evidently the leaders of the
troops which followed. The middle
hOrseman was dressed as q minstrel,
and on his face was an expression OF
deep pain and anxiety. Suddenly he
stopped his horse to catch the notes
of a shepherd, singing in the far-ofl
field. No sooner was the song finish
ed, than he dashed toward the as
tonished singer.
'My boy, sing that again? See, !
have gold for yOu"
"'Tis q song / loveW said the boy,
as he took the gold and recommended
his music.
"Now, tell me lad," said the
minstrel, "who taught you that
SOng?"
~ dare not tell 7" said the boy, rs
he glanced with suspicion at the
knight.
cay! But you must tell me! No
harm shall come to you See, here is
more gold for YOU"
81 have heard it sung in the castle
of Trieiels, near which 1 often fed my
Sheep"
ooh, God ~ exclaimed the min
strel, bursting into tears, us he knelt
on the ground, elbow wondrous are
thy waysW
His companions approached him
with amaZement, to hear him eX-
claim: "We have found him On to
Triefels %
After the excitement of their sup
posed discovery had abated some
what, 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 unso-
ciable. Soon the towers of Triefels
glittered i'm the sun, and after care
full survey of lis surroundings, they
moved away for further deliberation.
"My friends" said the knight, Gin
my minstrel's dress, must try alone
to gain admission to the castle. Mean
time, 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 de-
manded food and shelter for himself
and servant. After much parley, he
was received, but very ungraciOusly.
However, within these dreary walls
he found beautiful 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
"You seem to love music, fair lady |!
But, surely, you do not often hear it
in this lonely CASTLE"
"No! only myself and one poor
prisoner sing"
"a prisoner?''
eyes! and he must be Of gentle
birth But / dare not say more, lest
my uncle awake. He will be angry If
talk of him."
"Tell me one thing, dear maiden;
can hear the song OF this lonely one,
who sings for freedom ?"
eyes, If you listen, tonight! His
melancholy brings the tears to my
eyes often enough !"
Just now the old keeper awoke, and
giving orders to lead the stranger to
his apartment, he himself went out.
When our knight entered his cham
Der, he went TO the window and
vainly strove, through the deep twi-
light, to find the tower i'm which he
a n