Hero Tales and Legends of the Rhine

eng

ntment of human beings into swans, and the taboo whereby, as in the case of Cupid and Psyche, the husband forbids the wife to question him as to his identity or to l

awn. The name of the hero as written by Wolfram (Loherangr?n) may possibly be traced to Garin le Loherin or Garin of Lorraine. Wagne

eval Romance, articles 'Grail,' 'P

e are Le Chevalier au Cygne and Helyas, and

2: Op.

ght of

one Frederick of Telramund, to be her guardian; but he, seeking only the advancement of his own ends, shamefully abused the confidence of his lord. Using his authority a

alas! there was not a knight who would venture to match his skill against that of Frederick, who was a giant in stature and an expert in sword-play. In accord

aplet, whereon was hung a tiny silver bell. Now this little bell was possessed of magic properties, for when it was rung the sound, small at first as the tinkling of a fairy lure, grew in volume the further it travelled till it resembled the swelling of a mi

Grail. To them it seemed that the swelling notes contained an appeal for help directed to the Holy Vessel over which they kept vigil. While they debated thereon a loud and m

ther. When he reached the shores of the Rhine he found awaiting him a boat drawn by a stately swan. Taking it as a si

g eyes. Suddenly she heard the melodious strains and a moment later saw the approach of a swan-drawn boat, wherein lay a sleeping knight. Hope leapt within her, for she remembered the prophecy of an old nun, long since dead, that a sleeping k

m of the unexpected opposition, on the very day he had appointed for his wedding, was surprised and enraged beyond measure, yet he dared not refuse to do battle with the stranger knight, because of the Emperor's decree. So it was arranged that the combat shou

nevertheless tall and strong, and well versed in the arts of war. At length he laid his enemy in the dus

rriage, confessing, however, that he might only remain with her so long as she did not question him with regard to his identity. It seemed a small condition to Elsa, who willingly promised t

rew in time to be handsome and chivalrous lads, of noble bearing and knightly disposition. Then it was that Elsa, who had hitherto faithfully kept

ce at the knight whose name no one knew. So Elsa openly reproached her husband with his secrecy, and begged that for the benefit of their sons he would reveal his name

re the sign that he must leave his wife and family and b

hast done. Thy promise is broken, and to-day I must leave the

d pleadings were in vain, for, even as her entreaties were uttered, she heard the exquisite strains of music which had first

d family, first, however, revealing to them his identity, an

loss of her beloved husband, but her sons became br

end o

ored of deeds long since forgot," where are they?-but crumbling clusters of ruins fired by the barbarian torch whose glow, we were told, was to enlighten an ignorant and uncultur

death is

ing cities

l architecture, even the blackened walls of which possess a dignity and beauty

s door-post, gazing idly up the hill-side. Gradually he was aware of a figure, which seemed to have grown into shape from a furze-bush, or to have risen from behind a stone; and as it descended the slope he eyed cur

o be done? Idle smith! idle smith! The ho

de when the buckl

ugh when the coul

th! idle

y more than you can get beauty, so I must stand still, and you be content with your fac

banks, and gave a faithful portraiture in its cool waters of every creature that leant over them-though he was certainly the most frightful creature that had ever met the blacksmith's sight, it was evident enough that he did not l

e-yonder, yonder!" and he pointed with a yellow finger, which seemed to stretch out longer and longer as the smith strained his eyes up the slope, until

ood in win

-side near

her the bl

ive your f

de when the buck

ugh when the coul

!

s back into its case, and then the hand was wrapped up in the dingy garment, and with a dreadful shiver, and a chattering of teeth as loud as the noise o

could make it that he had not a single coin in his pouch to buy charcoal to do it with. He was reflecting that the old man was a very strange creature-he was more than half afraid to think who he might be-when in the midst of his cogitation he heard his three children calling out for their morning meal. Not a loaf h

hem on the anvil, had scarcely said to himself, "I wonder whether He'll come!" when in walked the Old Man and, nodding familiarly, seated himself on the head of the big hammer. Jacques was a bold and grateful as well as a good-natured fellow, and in a few minutes he and his visitor were on excellent terms. No more shivering or chattering of teeth was seen or heard in the smithy that night. The black stones burned away merrily on the hearth, and the bright flames shone on the honest face of the smith as he hobnobbed with his companion, and looked as though he really thought the stranger as handsome as he certainly had been

Meuse the Old Man departed. Jacques never saw him again, although he often looked in all directions when he went to the hill for a supply of fuel; but from that day Liége

-slipper

cus, their trenchant keenness and their wondrous golden inlaying. But numerous as were the attempts made to recapture the a

year's experiment in the manufacture of Damascus blades, but to no purpose. As the months wore on he saw his hard-earned gold melting s

a entered the forge and saw the old man still hard at work. She gentl

his holy evening? Have you not sufficient for the future? You must have laid by enough for your old age.

e had asked Ruthard for her hand. The old man had firmly told him that he could not consent to their union until he had discovered the secret of making Damascus blades. This he felt was hopeless to expect, and he had come to say "good-bye" ere he set out on a quest from which he might never retu

dily opened and inquired what he wanted at so late an hour. He told her that he desired food and lodging, for which he could pay, and he was at once admitted. She told him, however, that she expected another visitor. Whilst she cooked his supper Wilhelm detailed to her the circumstances of his journey. After he had eaten he retired to rest, but, tired as he was, he could not sleep. Later a dreadful storm arose, through the din of which he heard a loud noise, as if someone had entered the house by way of the chimney. Peering through the keyhole into the next room, he perceived a man seated at the table opposite his hostess whose appearance filled him with misgiving. He had not much leisure for a detailed examination of this person, however, for the witch-for such she was-came to the door of his room, entered, and bade him come and be introduced to a stranger from the East who could

acquainted Ruthard with what had transpired, he handed h

andson can open it," he said to Wilhelm, "for ov

son was born to them, who in due time found the letter, opened it, and mastered the

ct of Colog

n divers successive ages? These questions are perfectly reasonable and natural, yet, strange to relate, are invariably answered in evasive fashion, the truth being that the name of the artist in stone who planned Cologne Cathedral is unknown. The legend concerning him, however, is of world-wide celebrity

to summon an architect from Italy, in those days the country where beautiful building was chiefly carried on; but he found that this would cost a far larger sum than he was capable of raising; so, hearing that a gifted young German architect had lately taken up his abode at Cologne itself, Conrad sent for him and offered him a rich reward should he accomplish the work satisfactorily. The young man was overjoyed, for as yet he had received no commissions of great importance, and he set to work at once. He made drawing after drawing, but, being in a state of feverish excitement, found that his hand had lost its cunning. None of h

for he was repelled by his sinister aspect, while at the same time he was thunderstruck by the excellence of his drawing. It was indeed a thaumaturgic design, just such a one as the architect himself had dreamt of, but had been unable to execute; and while he gazed at it eagerly the stranger hailed him in an ugly, rasping voice. "A cunning device, this of mine," he said sharply; and the architect was bound to agree, despite the jealousy he felt. Surely, he thought, only the Evil One could draw in this

a blasted heath, where, if he would sign a document consigning his soul to everlasting damnation, he would be presented with the plan duly drawn on parchment. The architect still wavered, now eager to accept t

es. At first these were met with silence, but, feeling a need for sympathy, the architect eventually confessed the truth; and the good dame, horrified at what she heard, hurried off to impart the story to her father-confessor. He, too, was shocked, but he was as anxious as Bishop Conrad that the proposed ca

st; I must be assured that the drawing on the sand has been faithfully copied." "Fear nothing." The Devil handed over the precious piece of vellum; and glancing at it swiftly, and finding it in order, the architect whipped it under his doublet. "Aha! you cannot outwit me," shrieked the fiend; but as he was laying hands upon the architect the young man brought forth the talisman he carri

ly completed ere the young architect's name became irrevocably forgotten

thedral: I

uilding was commenced a rival architect was engaged in planning an aqueduct to convey to the city a supply of water purer than that of the Rhine. He was in this difficulty, however: he had been unable to discover the exact position of the spring fro

nown the situation of the spring, and he had communicated it to hi

it will be, shall be completed before your little aqueduc

uct was not even begun, because of the difficulty of finding the spring. The second architect was in despair, for of a certainty

timate. The hostess greeted her effusively, and the ladies had a long chat over bygone times. More and more confidential did they become under the influence of old memories and cherry wine. Skilfully the guest led the conversation round

rn home she promptly told her husband all that had passed, and he as promptly set to work, sunk a well at the spot indicated, and found the spring. The foundations of the aqueduct were laid and the structure itself soon sprang up. The architect of the cathedral saw with dismay th

Wa

ated at the good progress made in the erection of the building and resolved, by means of a cunning artifice, to st

of wagering. Satan, who ever loves to find the joints in an opponent's armour, chose this one weak spot as a point of at

briskly. "I have heard of you as a sporting fel

it was, and was all eagerne

come, in a word, to make a bet w

t is you

Treves to Cologne before you finish the ca

ighted architect. "B

ession; if you win, you may have anythin

architect took to dreaming of the wealth, or the fame, or the honour he should ask as his due when the stakes were won. Employing his imagination thus, he one day climbed to the top of the highest tower, which by this time was complet

vil ha

igh tower and was instantly killed. Satan, in the form of a bl

cathedral; it long stood at the same stage of completio

-bell of

ys; only in times of disaster, of storm and stress and fire, it flings out a warning in tones so loud and clamorous, so full of dire threatenings, that the stoutest hearts quail beneath the s

ogne made it known that the cathedral was in need of a new bell. There was no lack of aspirants for the honour of casting the bell, and more than o

nies and benedictions. On the day which Wolf had appointed for the operation it seemed as though the entire populace had turned out to witness the spectacle. Wolf, having prepared the mould, made ready to pour into it the molten metal. The silence was almost oppressive, and on it fell distinctly the solemn words of the bell-founder, as in God's name

ailure was indeed galling. But his ambitious spirit was not yet completely crushed. "I am

ation of God's name fell on awed ears. The glowing metal filled the mould, cooled, and was withdrawn from its eart

e thrust aside the consolations of his friends. "If God w

s; nevertheless on the third occasion they

ce, and Wolf, pale and sullen, stood ready to release it. But when he spoke a murmur of astonishment, of horror, ran through the crowd. For the familiar words "In th

less, perfect in shape and fo

From among a host of competitors he was chosen as the most successful. His bell was to hang in the be

he tower and took the rope in his hands; the mighty bell swung forth, but ah! what a sound was that! The people pressed their hands over their ears and shuddered; those in the streets h

rror of the sound, and, driven mad with remorse and terror, flung himself

to carry a message of terror far and wide across the city, and to remind

hbishop

ommonalty and aristocracy against each other, hoping to step in and reap the benefits of such internecine warfare as might ensue. And, indeed, the continual strife was not conducive to the prosperity of the burghers, but rather tended to sap their independence, and one by one their civil liberties were surrendered. Thus the scheming archbishops increased their power and influence in the city of Cologne. There came a time, however, in

ing of the Archbishop. The latter's bold attempt at further encroachments gave him the opportunity he sought, and with the skill of a born leader Hermann Grein united nobles and commons in the determinat

ranny. Only Engelbert hated him with a deadly hatred, and swore to be revenged; nor was his resolve weakened when a later attempt to subdue the city was frustrated by the foresight of Grein. It became obvious to the Archbishop that for

onastery was a fierce lion, which had more than once proved a convenient mode of removing the Church's enemies. So it was arranged that the Burgomaster should be asked to meet the Archbishop there. The latter sent a suave message to his enemy saying that

rs; nevertheless he took the simple precautions of arming himself and making his destination known to his friends before he set out. When he arri

ighness?" the canons asked the Burgomaster, an

s host. "His Highness," said the wily canons, "is in the private garden, where only the heads of the Church a

h to meet him a huge lion! With a pious prayer for help the Burgomaster drew his sword, wrapped his rich Spanish mantle round his left arm, and prepared to defend himself against his adversary. With a roar the lion was upon him, but with wonderful agility the old man leapt to one side.

and the sound of a multitude of voices. A moment later he recalled his terrible s

their hands and exclaiming that the Burgomaster had strayed into the lion's den and there met his death. The angry crowd, in nowise deceived by their pretences, demanded to be shown the lion's den. Arrived there, t

ns from the wrath of the mob, and they were hanged at the gate of t

hite

of Sir Aducht of Cologne, who deeply mourned her loss. The lady was buried with a valuable ring-her husband's gift-upon her finger; this excited the cupidity of the sextons, who, resolved to obtain possession of it,

sigh, as though the soul of Richmodis regarded this symbol of wifely duty

tors, and a threatening light seemed to come from them. At t

that she must have been buried while alive. In her terror she cried aloud for help.

husband who had placed the ring upon her finger, and getting o

hat swayed fitfully to and fro in the weird light of the waning moon as Richmodis staggered

rd within God's peaceful acre, for over the wrecks

Market. She knocked repeatedly, but at first received no response to her summons. After a

r to receive his wife, nearly exhausted by cold and terror. The bereaved husband refused to believe that the wife whom he had just buried had com

ater he looked from the casement and saw the steeds at an upper window, and he could doubt no longer. Rushing to the door, he

ory of that remarkable night Sir Aducht fixed wooden effigies of two horses'

agic

ity. It is recorded that on one occasion, in the depth of winter, Albertus invited William of Holland to a feast which was to be held in the convent garden. The recipients of

ry garden into a scene of summer bloom and loveliness. The heavy furs were laid aside, and the guests were glad to seek the shade of the spreading foliage. Iced drinks were brought to allay their thirst, and a sumptuous banquet was provided by their hosts; thus the hours passed unheeded, till the Ave Maria was rung by the convent-bell. Immediately

be suitably entertained, drew from the well-furnished cellars of the monastery some choice Rhenish, which so pleased the palates of the courtiers that they drank and drank and did not seem to know when to stop. At length the prior, beholding with dismay the disappearance of his finest vintage, privately

ghbour by the nose! and such was their chagrin at being seen in this unconvention

enf

known as The Mount, and there dwelt with him here his only daughter, Liba, whose great beauty had won for her a vast entourage of suitors. Each was equally importuna

Mount; and after Rhenish had circulated freely among them and loosened their tongues, one and all began to vent wrath on the ill-starred Churchman, talking volubly of his avarice and misdeeds in general. But why, cried one of them, should they be content with so t

red his intervention; on this being refused, he proposed that he himself should join the besiegers, at the same time carrying with him a royal pardon for Liba, for what concern had she with her father's crimes? His Majesty was persuaded to give the requisite document to Sir Sibert, who then hied him at full speed to The Mount, there to find the siege going forward. The walls of the castle were strong, and as yet the inmates were showing a good fight; but as day after day went past their strength and resources began to wane, and anon it seemed as though they could not possibly hold out longer. Accordingly the soldiers redoubled their efforts to effect a breach, which being compassed ultimately, they rushed upon the little garrison; and now picture the con

re haggard and tattered, but as he drew near to them the knight's pulses quickened of a sudden, for he knew that his beloved stood before him. Would she listen to him now? he wondered; or would she still imagine him perfidious, and scorn the aid which he offered? While he was debating with himself the storm increased, and the great peals

at those pious exercises wherewith hermits chiefly occupy themselves were not his only occupation; for long after the chapel itself had become a ruin its sight

ck and N

Drachenfels. Below them, on an island in

day on the banks of the Rhine, sought the hospitality of the Lord of Drachenfels. Honoure

the visitor's knightly deportment. Roland's admiring glances lingered lovingly on the fair maid, who blushed in sweet conf

om a vision of maidenly beauty haunted him, thereby showing how subtly

grace and beauty of his winsome daughter. Besides being beautiful, she was a clever needle

grew enthusiastic, his cheeks glowed, his eyes sparkled, and the enamoured maid would regard her hero with admiration. She evinced a lively interest in his expl

sound of someone weeping aroused him from his reverie, and he beheld his lady-love seated in an arbour, sobbing bitterly. Each knew the grief which separation must br

in quest of glory. Many victories were gained by him, and soon the

t had been announced that Roland was dead. The maid's rosy cheeks grew pale with

d a refuge in religion. She entered the convent at Nonnenwerth, reso

this proposal. Daily they beheld their daughter

Roland had returned home from the wars, crowned with glory, to claim his bride. But when he heard that she had taken the

hts. He crossed the Rhine to the castle of Rolandseck

procession of nuns carrying a coffin to the chapel. His page told him that his love was dead, but Roland had already di

fighting against the Moors at Roncevaux, dying on the battlefield as he had wished. His valorous deed

OF AIX-L

, several of which have already been noticed in connexion with its great founder. The following legen

hbacked

ce and an engaging manner. Heinz had red hair, green eyes, and a malevolent expression. Friedel wa

toward the maiden, he was met with derision and insult. Full of bitterness, he wandered about, till midnight found him in the fish-market, where the Witches' Sabbath was about to take place. A weird light was cast over everything, and a crowd of female figures quickly gathered. A lady who seemed to be at the head of the party offered the hunchback refreshment, and o

arose his h

that he had not been dreaming, and in his pocket he found a large sum of money, which made him the equal of the richest in the town. Overjoyed at the tra

wise. So at the next witch-meeting he hastened to the fish-market, where at the outset everything happened in exactly the same manner. Heinz was requested to play, but his avaricious gaze wa

band fixed on his breast the hump she had taken from Friedel. Immediately the clock struck one, and all disappeared. The poor man's rage was boundless,

he Cathedral of

resounded with wonderful activity, but, alas! the money which had been supplied by pious Christians for this holy work became exhausted, the wages of

shed in the cracks of the walls, screech-owls already discovered convenient places for their nests, and

om house to house produced little, so that instead of the much-wished-for golden coins nothing was found in the boxes but copper. When the magistracy received

and exclaimed: "Bon Dieu! it is said that you are out of spirits. Hem! if nothing but money is wanting, you may console you

d his tongue. "Who are you, noble lord," said he, "that thus, entirely unknown, speak of tons of gold as though they were

I have gold plentiful as summer hay!" Then, drawing forth a leathern pouch, he proceeded: "This little purse contains the tenth of what I'll give. The rest shall soon be forthcoming. Now listen, my

r of the room, where they rolled and clung to each other like lambs frightened at flashes of lightning. Only one of the party had not entire

f you I ask but one in exchange for all my money. What are you picking at straws for? One may plainly see you are a mere set of humbugs! For the good of the commonwealth (which high-sounding name is often borrowed for all sorts of purposes) many a prince would instantly conduct a whole army to be butchered, and you refuse one

's ears: "What is the use of our resisting? The grim lion will only show his teeth once. If we don't

f purses flew into the room through doors and windows. Urian now took leave, but he stopped at

d to his wife, and she had made it a market-place tale, so that one and all declared they would never set foot within the walls. The terrified council now consulted the clergy, but the good priests hung their heads. At last a monk cried out: "A thought strikes me. The wolf which has so long ravaged the neighbourhood of our town

thedral, and just as the bells began to ring, the trap-door of the cage was opened and the savage beast darted out into the nave of the empty church. Master Urian from his lurking-place beheld this consecrat

over the devices of the Devil, and is still e

end o

g from many distant lands to do homage at the shrine of genius. But Bonn and its neighbourhood have older associations than this-associations which carry the mind of the traveller far into the Middle Ages-for hard by the town is Rolandseck; w

t the brave crusader was wounded eventually, and now he set out for Germany, thirsting all the way for a sight of his beloved Siebengebirge, and dreaming of the wind-swept schloss which was his home. As he drew nearer to it he pictured the welcome which his fond Herzogin would give him, but scarcely had the drawbridge been lowered to admit him to his castle ere a fell piece of news was imparted to him. In short, it transpired that his wife Elise had been unfaithful to him during his absence and, on hearing that he was return

lfram was growing more cheerful, it was because new hopes of retribution were springing up in his heart. The chance would come, he often told himself; surely the fates would one day confront him with his wife's lover! And one day, as he rode through the village of Gudesburg, these revengeful thoughts were uppermost in his mind. They engrossed him wholly, and he took little heed of the passers-by; but an unexpected stumble on the part of his horse caused him to look up, and of a sudden his eyes blazed like live coals. Here, walking only a few yards away from him, was a youth who bore

ss was erected by Wolfram himself because he experienced remorse, and felt that he had been unduly hasty in taking life; but be that as it may, the story concludes b

easure

ars, which had also ruined Heribert, another sheriff, who with his daughter, the beautiful Gretchen, eked out a frugal but peaceful existence in the same neighbourhood. The two young people fell in love with each other, but Gretchen's father, becoming suddenly and mysteriously very rich and arrogant withal, desired a wealthy or highly p

o win Gretchen without wealth, the unhappy youth decided t

e apparition appeared and demanded to know his wishes, to which the terrified Konrad could only reply: "Gold." Thereupon the sorcerer led the way deep into a forest and, pointing mysteriously to a certain spot, disappeared

as suddenly arrested and thrown into prison. Here he was put to torture by the authorities, who suspected him of robbery, and at length

red again, in his extremity he confessed to the murder and named Heribert as his accomplice, whereupon both men were sentenced to be hanged. Just as this doom was abou

e bequeathed his wealth to the Church and charities, in expiation

er's Mai

town of Bonn, and at no great distance from it stands a lonely mill, to wh

an who had been in his service for a number of years, and

en to attend mass at the neighbouring village of Hersel, leaving H?nnchen a

ed, he had earned so bad a reputation as a loafer and an idle good-for-nothing that the miller, as much on H?nnchen's account as on his own, had forbidden him the house. H?nnchen, however, received her lover with undisguised pleasure, straightway s

up, my girl

einrich seized her by the neck and held another knife to her throat. "Now, girl, show me wh

nnchen; and when he had loosened his gri

y. "If you take my master's money, you must take me too, for th

acquiescence, and touched by her desire to accompany him, which he att

" he conceded graciously. "But if you play me false-" T

money is in master's room. Come and I

ssive coffer in which lay her master's wealth, and

aid, "and get my little savings,

erstwhile sweetheart set to

ide the room. "Now I know that master was right when he s

r, but H?nnchen was deaf to oaths and entreaties alike. Outside she found the miller's son playing happily, and called him to her. "Go to fath

but ere he had gone many yards a shrill whistle sounded fr

se of action. If she barricaded herself in the mill, might not the ruffian slay the child? On the other hand, if she waited to meet him, she had no assurance that he would not kill them both. So she retired to the mill, locked the door, and awaited what fate had in store for her. In vain the robber threatened to kill the child and burn the mill over her head if

see what was going on, was pondering how she could attract the attenti

se and horror were unbounded when it commenced to rotate. It was useless to attempt to stop the machinery; useless, also, to appeal to H?nnchen. Round and round he went, till at last he fell unconscious on the bottom of the engine, and still he went on rotating. As H?nnchen had anticipated, the miller and his family were vastly astonished to see th

nn, where for their many crimes they s

h and i

which is of particular interest, as it is typical of the Middle Ages, and casts a light on the manner of life and thought common in those days. For many centuries there stood at this village of Rosebach a monastery, which no longer exists, and it

the novitiate there and eventually take the veil. The Count doffed his hat to the prospective nun, less because he wished to be courteous than because it was his habit to salute every wayfarer he encountered on his domain; and Riguenbach, much amused by Otto's civility to one of low degree, burst into a loud laugh of derision and called after the maiden, telling her to come back. She obeyed his behest, and thereupon the two horsemen drew rein and asked the damsel whither she was bound. "To Walsdorf," she replied; and though Otto himself would have let her go forward as she pleased, the crafty Riguenbach was not so

noble birth. In due course the nuptials of the pair were celebrated. The bride had little idea what manner of man she had esp

eeds." The Count turned livid with fear, and the blush on Eldegarda's cheek faded to an ashen hue; but the spectre remained with them throughout the night. And night after

. Otto hung his head on hearing this verdict, and as he stood hesitating, pondering whether it were possible for him to forgo all earthly joys, his old henchman, Riguenbach, chanced to enter, and learning his master's quandary, he laughed loudly and advised the Count to eject Bernard forcibly. The Abbot met the reta

e time he counselled his wife to take the veil, and they parted, thinking never to see each other again. But one night, ere either of them had taken the irrevocable vows, the Virgin Mary appeared to Abbot Bernard and told him he had acted unwisely in parting the bride and bridegroom in this

s walls, the strange events to which they owed their being long ago are still remembered and recited in the l

ers of R

ing end of the world, when the year 1000 should break, were spreading throughout the countryside, and the spirit of fear haunted the people, so that music died away from the

to dance the Sundays away on the village green. But the abbot was wroth at this. When the music began he appeared among the villagers, commanding them to cease from their revels and bethink themselves of the House of God. But the lad

hroughout the changing seasons, until the last hours of the extra day, when they fell in a senseless heap in the hollow worn by their unresting feet. When they awoke to consciousness all reason

L?we

the slightest trace can be found at the present day. There is also a story of the lord who dwelt t

If any dared complain he laughed at or reviled them; but if he were in angry mood he set his hounds on them and hunted his vassals as quarry, either killing them outright or leaving them terribly injured. Needless to say, he was well hated by these people, also by his own class, for his character was too fierce and overbearing even for their tolerance. To crown hi

his idea, he endeavoured to hack his way through the thick undergrowth, but the matted boughs and dense foliage were as effectual as prison bars. He was trapped, he told himself, in some enchanted forest, for the place seemed more and more unfamiliar. He strove to bring back some recollection of the spot, which surely he must have passed a thousand times. But no-he could not distinguish any feature that seemed familiar. His spirits sank lower and lower,

g up instantly, seizing his spear and whistling to his dogs, which, however, crouched nearer to the earth, their hair bristling and eyes red with fear. Again their master called, but they ref

who seemed as if hotly pursued. He was dressed in ancient garb, carrying a large crossbow in his right

y of the lost, to which the hounds gave tongue with a howl of fear. As if in answer to the echoes, there suddenly appeared hundreds of skeleton stags, of enormous size, each bestridden by a skeleton hunter. W

ged them to charge, gore, and trample the hapless stranger, whose cries of agony were drowned by shrieks of fiendish glee and the incessant cracking of whips. Overcome at last by terror, the count fell senseless, his eyes dazed by the still whirling spectres and their flying quarry. When at last he slowly awaked from hi

anger made no reply, except to sigh mournfully. Again the coun

t High God I conjure you, sp

o him, as if suddenly

y name the spell is broken

ide and in strange, stern to

troyed I would exact a human life. I kept my oath. Arming my retainers, servants, and huntsmen, I seized my presumptuous vassals in the dead of night, and dragging them to the castle, I flung them into the deepest dungeons. There for three days I let them starve-for three days also I kept my hounds without food. Meantime my huntsmen had caught a great number of the largest and strongest deer in the forests. At the end of three days the unfortunate wretches were brought out, diminished now by a full hundred. My

vercome by the me

I am now the quarry, hunted from the castle court, on through the forest, to this hidden and haunted spot. Thousands and thousands of times I have suffered this

le with the anguish of a lost so

might learn of my punishment. While you still have time repent of your crimes and endeavour to make am

the phantom had

fter a terrible vigil the morning came, and Graf Hermann, now a changed man, returned to his castle in s