Evening star., 1905-11-04
How the Prince Was Kidnapped.

| "Dost thou know, Albert, why our father
| fought against our uncle, Prince WflliamT'
| "Of course I know" replied his brother.
| 1t was because our uncle wanted to take
more than his share of the lands left by
| his cousin. Count William the Fooi'-God
| rest his soul-who died last Michaeimas,
Thou knowest how the people call our
! father Frederick the Gentle because he
is the best sovereign who has ever reigned
| In Saxony. He does not wish to do any
man an injustice: so he asked a council OF
the mobiles to decide the question between
! MIN and Ritter Kunz Won Kaufunsen. who
| tf1nks that because our father hired him
| to fight we should pay all his losses in the
| war The decision was that our ia ther was
| In nowise responsible. Then that wicked
old knight few in rage and vowed to be
revenged on our father"
| saw him as he passed through the
| castle court said Ernest He scowlad
| so that feared him. Then he looked hard
| at me and muttered something about the
other one too Then he laughed, and his
| laughter affrfghted me more than his
| frown." ~
He cannot hurt thee, brother" said Al
| pert. Are we not safe In this strong cas-
tie: with so many men-at-arms to protect
| Weeks passed and the bows forgot tbe
rough old knight and his threats. Never
TOT moment. however, did Kunz forget
mis- grievance nor his purpose of revenge
Early in June, 1865 affairs called the
elector. Frederick the Gentle to I,eins1c
Nearly the whole garrison of Altenburg ac-
companled him escort only q few men,
alarms remaining at the castle as guard
1of the electresS and her sons What more
was needed? Was not the whole realm ar
peace? Yes. but just across the Bohemian
porder the Old hawk was watching his prey,
ana there was an unsuspeeted traitor
within the very walls of the CASTLE
On the night OF the 1th Of IiIly all the
royal household were sleeping. The castle
was dark, save for one glfmmering light in
d turret window; silent, save for the slow
tramp OF TWO warderS on the wall
AS the sentries. moving In opposite dIrec-
ticns' met toward the side that overlook ed
the town. three mounted men emerged from
| the shadow OF the forest and moved silently
| toward the castle. At the same time the
| light that CLEANED from the narrow case
! ment was extinguished. AS the troopers
| matted before small postern in the castle
| wall a rope was dropped from the window
| Immediately above 1t; to this the men
| quickly attached q rope ladder which was
drawn up and secured
Noiselessly the three crept I'D the sway
| ing ladder. and Schwalbe, who was waiting
| above, showed the rooms of the eIectress.
| Wen cage the mother-bird first" said
| kunz, as he fastened the outer bolts of the
| doors.
| Then they halted before another door to
| which Schwalbe pointed
The troopers pushed by him and entered
the room in which Prince Ernest was Sleep
| ing The sword of one of the men struck
| against the door as he passed through and
the sound awoke the boy, who cried in
| terror. The face that bent over him bore
the well-remembered scowl of Kunz Won
| Kaufungen.
The two lads in the adjoining room were
| awakened by Ernests cry. Conrad a foster
| brother, who was sleeping with Albert, sa W
| through the open door three armed men
dragging Prince Ernest from his bed.
lot Iaf Tnf, r,gs
he whispered, pushing and kicking Prince
Albert TO the floor, where he quickly slid
u;'der the bed. But 1t too late for
| Conrad to follow The troopers were al
ready entering the chamber, and caught
him just slipping the edge of the bed.
Selling the boy they hastened after their
leader, who was bearing Prince Ernest to-
| ward the postern.
Conrad uttered no word to undeceye his
captors. Their mistake had saved his
foster brother. his future sovereign, whom
he loved with all the devotion of his loyal
Saxon heart. The troopers bore him across
| the moat to Ritter kunZ who already
| mounted.
"Blockheads Whom have you here?
This brown brat is son of Wettn.'
Kunz bore his captives out of the sight of
| the distracted mother, who watched from
a window and turned into the highway.
They had ridden but few minutes when
the great alarm bell rang out from the cas-
tie turret, awakening the sleeping town be-
| villages answered that of the castle.
Consgnins Prince Ernest to the care OF
! two troopers, he bade them ride southwark,
| then strike eastward across the boundary
| and meet him in Bohemia. Selecting two
| sguires to accompany himself, he instructed
| the rest of the band to scatter in various
| directions. Then, with Prince Albert seated
before him. and the two SquireS following,
he plunged into a wood road that led into
the heart of the forest.
| Hour after hour they rode, eyes and ears
| intent any sign or sound that might
mean pursuit.
! BY noon 1t was very hot The horses
painted and Prince Albert begged for water.
Nothing could be gained by cruelty to his
young prisoner so Kunz dismounted to
| gather some wild raSpberries for the boy.
/ Filling his glove with berries, he handed
| it TO Prince Albert, then returned to the
| bushes to satisfy his own thirst The two
| squires also dismounted; the fruit was ripe
! and abundant; they had tasted long and
, were in no haste to remount.
| Albert, from the height of the saddle,
| saw at little distance something moving
! among the tree trunks. Presently there
! emerged from the thick undergrowth of
| bushes the figure of grimy charcoal burn
| er, carrying on his shoulder the long pole
used in poking the kiln
| If only the man would approach near
enough for the boy to attract his attention
| The peasant drew nearer. He stepped out
| into the glade and halted suddenly. amazed
! at the strange sight of horses and armed
| knights in this wilderness.
Addressing of the men, he asked IL
| they had lost their way in the forest, and IL
| they would graciously permit him to guide
! them out.
This sooty vision most unwelcome to
KunZ Drawing his sword, he rushed upon
| the unarmed peasant, but caught his foot
| in trailing bramble and fell upon his face
| This was Albert's opportunity. Leaning
| from the saddle, he whispered:
| II am Prince Albert of Saxony. | have
| been stolenr'
| At these words the eyes of the collier
| b1azed. With a wild whoop he rushed upon
J the two squires. brandishing his long pole;
| and with one wide, sweeping blow brought
| both of them to the ground, shouting:
| Traitors. Thieves Villainsp'
The cries made such din that the in
| habitants of an unseen cluster of cottages
| nearby came running to learn the cause.
| The squires scrambled to their feet only
| to be seized and bound. Kunz was dis
| armed and mounted on a horse with his
| hands tied behind him. The happy char
| coal burner marched beside the rescued
| prince. And SO the journey back toward
| Altenburg began.
In the first village through which they
| passed the wild alarm of the bells was
changed to a merry Joy peal; the wind bore
| the good news on, the bells of other towers
| and churches took 1t up, and told the cleo