Ekkehard. Vol. II (of II).

umo

Amen!" was the response of his companions, who were cowering round a campfire, on the border of the pine-wood. The deep black shadows of night lay over the bodies of the slain, as if the Heavens compassionately wished to hide what human hands had done there. At dawn of day, even the clouds disappeared, as if they

t call to it. He stood like one that is spell-bound. "Probably it is the angel who is marking their foreheads with a letter, so that they can be recognized, when the spirit will re

it is not followed up, by pursuit of the enemy. We ought to go after them, until the last of them are annihilated," he said. But the monks insisted on their return on account of the Easter holidays, and the others said: "Befor

at the dead should be buried be

is last was destined for the dead Huns. Arms and harnesses were taken off and collected; forming a considerable heap in all. Then the corpses were thrown down; one after the other

h cleft forehead and fierce expression. "Most likely that belongs also to the hea

eneath, had all come, Moengal's hawk among them; and they were evidently protesting by their cries, against thus losing their rightful prey. With a hollow sound the clods of earth and pebbles fell into the wide grave. Then the deacon of Singen came, with the vase of consecrated water, with which he sprinkled the mound, in order to banish the demons, and keep down the dead wh

of the castle, the black flag had likewise been hoisted. The Duchess herself, rode also with the train, dressed in dark sober-coloured garments, which gave an unusually serious and severe expression to her face. The dead monks were carried on biers, to the brink of the great tomb, so that they shou

!" Thus he spoke in the words of the Preacher, throwing down when he had ended the first handful of earth; the Duchess, as well as the others following his example one by one. After this, there ensued a solemn sile

chanting psalms. The corpse of the old man from the Heidenh?hlen, long weary of life, they had also taken along with them. With bent-down head, the war-horse of the unknown warrior,

edinger, with his arm in a sling, rode down the valley at the head of a troop. Only the

r eyes and then slowly rode over the battle-field. The day before she ha

lthough he evidently did not shrink from exaggerating a little here and

tle with the Huns, is still living in the memory of the present generation. The piece of rock which had been rolled upon the grave, is called the "Heidenbock" (Heathenbuck), by the inhabitants of the Hegau, and in the night of Good-Friday, there is nobody who would like to pass the valley. In that night, earth and air belong to the dead, who are then supposed to arise from their graves. Then the small, swift-footed horses dart about again; the dark columns of the christian champions on foot, eagerly press forward; the armour glittering from under the decayed habits of the monks. The clat

ned what their talk was about. The great events of the past days found an echo in all their thoughts and speeches; like to the echo of the Lurlei-rock in the Rhine: scarcely has th

ged; unharmed by fire. Further, that they had destroyed all traces of the Huns, by carrying the holy relic

brother who stayed beh

n, they have pleased me very much indeed. Never have I seen such jolly fellows before; and as for eating and drinking,--they are wonderfully considerate! The father cellarer has never taken the slightest notice of my being thirsty; but they gave me wine, as much as I wanted,--and if they dealt me sundry blows, and boxes on the ear, they

wrought coat-of-mail of the slain Hunnic chieftain, in order that it might be hung up in the cloister-church, as

mber of the Huns he had slain increased with every recital, like a falling avalanche,--now said with emp

rude kick to this invitation. The Hun rose; his face wearing a somewhat dubious expression, as if he did not believe that his life was to last much longer. Thus he limped through the room, leaning on a stick. "Forwards!" said Master S

fore her. Praxedis also had come near, and turning to Master Spazzo said: "One

is is the nation before whom the Germ

lways keeping together," said the Knight of Randegg.

ertain of this?" a

ss, "I still know of a way, to make him give us a sign of life, which I have heard of at Constantinople." Gliding out of the hall, she presently returned, carrying a cup, which she presented with mock deference to the dumb prisoner. It was a strong liquor, distilled from cherries and stone-fruit; such as

ich he wanted to repeat his thanks to her; but Dame Hadwig stepped

when he had returned, "however, it was gall

order to humiliate us," thought he, "the Lord has sent over the children of the desert, to be a warning to us, and to teach us, even on the ruins of that which is perishable, to t

e some keepsake from the battle, Professor? A wonderful, Hunnic amazon is said to have s

hess bitterly, "and he knows how to be silent, as one who has taken a vo

's sword, and drawing it out of the scabbard, he laid it on the table before the Duchess. Fresh, red spots were still glistening on the noble blade, and the edge sho

give it vent, in an angry outburst. But the sword of Sir Burkhard called up manifold thoughts. So,

roffered hand. He almost wanted to ask her pardon for his roughness, but the words c

ed at the door, not venturing to speak. Her face, which wa

e, my poor child?" called ou

d kissed the Duchess's hand. She tried t

said: "I cannot take care of the geese any more; I must go away, and thou must

child?" asked the Duchess.

ot come h

that account. Those who have fallen, are now with our dear Lord in heaven

down in the valley, and he was not amongst the dead men. Besides, the charcoal-burners' boy from Hohenstoffeln, who also w

wilt thou

e end I shall find him. I feel sure of it. The goldpiece which thou art to give me, I will give to the

" she said, lifting up the shy little Hadumoth to imprint a kiss on her forehead. "God is with thee,

the Emperor Charles with a stern face, and wide open eyes, and on the other a crowned female head. "It's my last one," said he la

s if to bless her. "I thank you!" said she, turning to go; then once more looking

e thee another,"

child confident

green holly-bush, in her hand. That she did not know the way, and that her finding food and a shelter for the night, were doubtful things, she had not time to trouble herself about. T

l, which was her home. More than once, did she look back, until she had caught the last glimpse of the Hohentwiel, with its walls and towers steeped in dark blue shadows. Then she entered a

ing-prayer at home," said she. "I will pray also." So she knelt down in the woody solitude and prayed; first for Audifax,

"'tis now the hour to drive them home." Then Audifax with whom she had so of

man was sitting. "Thou must take me in for the night, grandmother," said Hadumoth coaxingly; but except a sign that she could remain, she received

the first soft touches of spring were already visible. The first flowers were peeping out from the moss; and the first beetles hovered above them, softly humming; and the delicious smell of

soon came to an opening in the wood, which afforded a considerable view. Far down, in the distance, the Rhine was winding along, like a serpent. Jammed in between its dividing arms was an island, bearing many a

?" asked she of a man, who was

st," was t

over

ein

must have

before ye

re are t

rp look at the child, and pointing down

this he lifted his staff and walked on

one night in the open air, on the mossy ground, and scarcely meeting a human being all the time. She had to cross however many a wild ravine, and swift-flowing mountain torrent, as well as mighty old pine-trees, which the storm had up

ted plain, over which the rough winds could sweep at their leisure; an

n-torrent dashed along. A dense mass of brambles and other thorny bushes, grew on the sides of the steep descent, but Hadumoth bravely made for herself a passage through them; though this cost her no small amount o

nished gold through the glittering waves, which rose up against them; alternately covering them up, until they arrested their mad course, a few steps lower down, in a dark-green, transparent little pond, like to a life-wearied man, going to rest, and looking back i

that solitude ... and now a dry, green little nook looked invitingly over at Hadumoth; and she followed the invitation, and laid herself down. The air was so cool and fresh, and the brook rustled and murmured on,

egs bared to the knees, stood before her. Some fishing-tackle, a net and a wooden tub, in which blue-spotted trout were swimming, lay in the grass, beside him.

asked Hadumot

hich contains plenty of fine salmon, is called the Murg, and goes into the R

With us, they grow quite straight out of the plain; each one standing alone,--and

"That must be a good way off

she told him why she had gone out into t

f my mother!" exclaimed he, "that is an adventurous expedition!" but Hadumoth, fold

of the brook, accompanied by the little maiden. Whenever the trees and bushes became too much entangled, or when bits of rocks blocked up the way, he took her up in hi

the Frick-valley at the foot of the B?tzberg. There, they have pitched their camp, after burning the castle of L

at lay about, and heaped them up into a pile, putting some smaller branches of resinous pinewood, between. He did not light it though. The same thing

arnest about the Huns

efully about, everywhere. Here also, were piles of wood mixed with resin and covered with green branches. Nodding contentedly he returned to Hadumoth. "Further than this I cannot accompany thee; for yonder

pressing his horny hand. "But w

e fisherman with a significant l

a trench; fortified by a kind of palisade, made with paling and pieces of rock, in the genuine Hunnic fashion. Their sentinels rode up and down, within a considerable circumference. The reason of their having settled down there for a w

ushions and carpets heaped up there, he could find no rest. Erica, the flower-of-the-Heath, was s

not be quite so rash in future. Here also, I do not feel quite at my ease, for it is too still, and a calm generally precedes a storm. With thee too, ever

eter. The child had entered the camp, bravely passing the posts and not heeding their calls, until they stopped her. Snewelin then explained Hadumoth's wish, with regard to the prisoner boy. He was in as soft and compassionate a mood, as if he

ndoing the seam of her bodice to get at the gold piece. She hand

eir hair, and the children do, what would honour a warrior. If instead of this little maiden

!" ... exclaimed he. But Erica now rose, and patted Hadumoth's head. "Thou shalt stay with me," sai

, to play with children?" Then Erica saw that a storm was brewing in the

which the soup, that was destined for the evening meal, was boiling. But now he jumped up and gave a loud shriek, for he had beheld his little friend. Instantly the old hag stretched out her head, from behind the other kettle, and this was more than a warning. Without movi

ame a look, which told its own story of woe and suffering, and the longing wish, to regain his liberty. Hadumoth likewise, stood quietly before him. She had of

up Audifax," said she

close beside Audifax. He was still silent and reserved, and only when it became dark and his tyrant went away, his tongue got loosened. "Oh, I have so much to tell thee Hadumoth!" whispered he. "I know where the treasure of the Huns is! The woman of the wood has got it in her keeping. Two big boxes stand un

n hat. One half of his r

'Take that, for thy reward,' said she, lifting her scissors up to my ear

thee," said h

and again, think of that night when the stars fell down." Audifax, heaving a sigh, murmured: "Ah, I shall still get my treasure. I know I shall." And again they sat quietly together for a while; until Audifax gave a vi

ne again!" Audi

rightedly exclaimed Hadum

e burning torch had first been visible, there now arose a mighty flame, lighting up the dark, starless night. The guard in the valley, uttered a piercing whistle, and the inhabitants of the cam

ently obeye

back, and then taking out the two boxes, from her hut, she put one in each, covering them up afterwards, with some hay. When she had done this, she

e Hunnic camp. Pitifully sounded the frightened neighing of the horses, whose large shed was already burning. Dark figures stormed the camp on all sides. This time, King Death was coming with blazing torchlight, and he who brought him, was the old Knight Irminger, the owner of the Frickgau. He, the strong father of six strong sons; who like Mattathias with his Maccabeans, could no longer bear to behold the misery of his people. And with them there came the men of Hornussen and Herznach; those from the Aarthal and Brugg, as well as

nd the fighting of the dark figures before him. "Now I know, what I must do," whispered he into Hadumoth's ear. He had taken up a big stone, and springing up at the woman of the wood with the agility of a wild cat, he struck her down. After this he quickly pulled away the sumpter-horse, upon the saddle of which he placed the trembling Hadumoth with the sudden strength of a man. "Take hold of the pommel!" cried he. Then jumping up himself, he seized the reins, and the horse

nst one of the boxes, which, emitting a metallic ring, convinced him that he was not dreaming, after all. The horse was good-tempered, and carried its burden willingly enough, across fields, over heaths and through dar

ately castle, looking down proudly into the waters below. Then their path took them round a little hill, and then they suddenly beheld the broad flood of the Rhine; dashing along with a thundering noise, over dark, weatherbeaten rocks. Clouds of pearly white spray, glistened in

and with her left; gazing long and silently at the spectacle before them. Presently, the sun cast his firs

coveted treasure, was found at last; had become his own; not by spells and nightly conjurations, but by the use of his hands and by seizing the favourable o

out one; a casket, a ring, a coin and a bracelet,

must be; for His rainbow is hovering over th

casket, then the ring, coin and bracelet,--and then kneeling down, Hadumo