The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-12-15

The man turned toward the d oor
the commander to come
with him. Without word the fear
less Herr Won S. drew on his clothes,
and, taking up light and putting the
pistols In his belt, followed his strange
conductor, wondering how the interest
ng adventure would end. They con-
tinued through many passages and
numberless rooms, until at last, pass
ing through an arched vault whose soft,
yielding bottom caused the dragon
more than once to think of pitfalls,
they entered monstrous room 80 dark
that for awhile the commander could
see nothing. Soon, by the aid of his
candle, he distinguished quiet forms
about him, then found that he was in
the company of more than hundred
men, all masked like the cllain-bearing
''rammer. One of the number, who
appeared to be in command, presently
stepped forward and said to him:
"You are bold, mein herr, to in
wade this castle. Are you aware that
your life Is In our hands, and that no
one who is so foolhardy as to enter this
place ever returns from it ?"
Herr Won S. quietly heard the man
out, then coolly answered
''I fear nothing have looked into
the eyes of death too often to be fright
ened by anything this world can show"
With smile he continued: 81 may
as well tell you, too, that l have order
ed my men, in the event of my not
appearing at certain window of this
castle at o'clock tomorrow morning,
to search for me. So, If you do your
usual very hospitable act tonight, you
may expect to hear the walls of this
old building rattling down about your
ears in the morning.
These fearless words had the intend
ed effect. The masked captain hesitat.
ed for a moment, completely dumbfound.
ed at the words so unusual for prisoner
in his hands. Then he withdrew and
called his men together at some dis
: tance from where Herr Won s. stood
There was quiet conversation between
them, and opinions were frequently ex
j pressed, but in an undertone. In tel
! minutes the leader returned again Il
the prisoner and said:
3 "After what deem sufficient de
( liberation, we have arrived at this con
Q clusion If you will take solemn oatl
a never to divulge the slightest part o
what you have witnessed here to-nigh
no matter what may happen you, thel
r you will be allowed to return to you
4 room and finish your sleep, and vii
: mot be molested further. l need no
9 mention the alternative"
t The officer considered how littl
credit there would be in his disappear
Q ing from his friends, and what smal
g satisfaction there would be for him
/. even il his men did find his dead bod
e the next day so he willingly took tn
t oath of secrecy, and was led bac
a through the many intricate passage
ways to his room.
= 1t is not hard to imagine the thought
r of the townspeople. Every one VIII
s learned that the commander had gon
e to the castle for the night was sure th
!. last of him had been seen. Sill he wa
i a brave, bold man, and this fact mad
:. the slightest doubt in their minds-jus
e enough to cause them to glance am
e iously toward the castle window in th
@ morning. Crowds were gathered i
places where the window could be seer
d none expecting to behold what all wei
l. waiting for f; or, if any did expect t
n see the man again, they wisely save
e themselves from riidcule by keepin
% the thonght quiet. AT last seye
N O'Clock struck, and almost at the sam
ID time arose deafenlng "Hurrah
Hurrah p Everybody cheered, an
T. the drums and trumpets of the soldier
s. helped to swell the awful noise. Ever
t. eye was turned on that castle window
III and there was the commander, his bad
q. stretched far out, and his arms pc
d, forming graceful military salutes.
to Herr Won S. was, indeed, her
III Not only had he valiantly aided in CO..
ne quering the French, but now, all aloz
ar be had overcome in one night cast
,k full of evil spirits that had held fu
We sway for years
ly Time sped on, and years had pass
of since this adventure, and Herr Won
nd had retired from service and was iviI
: ? quietly in his private house. Early o.
up morning the hall bell rang loudly.
I'D servant opened the door, and found
strange man outside, holding by t
at bride spirited, coal-black horse
IN most beautiful and aoble-looking al
at NAL. AS the servant appeared t
stranger said:
M 81 have been instructed to deliver
IN, Commander Won s. this steed and Il
he small box" at the same time putti
i'd, the rein into the servants hand, a
cal giving him a little ebony casket.
i'm "Who shall tell my master sc
re- them ?" asked the servant.
He ''He will know that when he rea
ow this letter." replied the stranger, ia
his ing sealed note from his pocket a
nt giving it to the servant. Thep the m
he turned away and soon disappear'
ad- The servant gave the horse into
on groom's charge, then delivered the b
he and letter to his master.
the The excommander was greatly s.
ing prised, and his long-suffering curios
he was at last satisfied when he had II
for the following:
"SIR COMMANDER We have
RE- this country forever. AS token
ing our gratitude for the noble manner
,er. which you have kept your oath 8
low guarded our secret, pray accept
n l.. I ,Ia