RUDESHEIM.

GISELA.

N the very stirring times of the Crusades, when from nearly all Christian

countries numberless knights and troopers flocked to the Holy Land to rescue the Lord's Sepulchre, and at the same time to establish a new kingdom, and zealous priests summoned all the faithful to the work which was so well pleasing to God, Bernard of Clairvaux preached the Crusades in the Rhine country. He earnestly exhorted the inhabitants to dedicate themselves to the great Christian cause, and to join the hosts which were upon the point of endeavouring to deliver Palestine.

Amongst those who obeyed his call was the Knight Bromser, of Rudesheim. Already a widower, and father of one only lovely and blooming daughter, possessor of a lordly castle

in the charming Rhine district, the Paradise of Germany, the knight himself rich and highly esteemed, it might have been expected that he would have remained at home, rather than leave his unprotected Gisela, and expose her to the risk of soon becoming an orphan. But the longing after exploits, and the continued exhortations to fight in honour of the Redeemer, overcame every consideration, and with the tears and prayers for his welfare, of his daughter and retainers, Bromser left the castle of his fathers, and with several other knights and their vassals, with the same object in view, journeyed to the Holy Land. After many adventures and toils he arrived there, and soon distinguished himself by his valiant exploits. His name was renowned in the Christian camp, his sword was feared by the enemy, and it was always the Knight Bromser who was charged with the execution of all expeditions which required coolness and bravery.

From a chain of rocky mountains in the neighbourhood of the Christian camp arose some springs which supplied the army with water. But the time came when it was found impossible to make use of them, because a

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fearful dragon had taken up its dwelling among the clefts of the rocks. The monster was of an enormous size, with a scaly coat of mail, legs with sharp claws, and his large jaws armed with two rows of pointed teeth. Its motion was rapid, and every warrior who imprudently approached it became the beast's prey. news of the appearance of the dragon filled the whole place with consternation. In vain did the impending drought urge them to make war against their new foe. In vain did their leader Conrad summon the knights to this encounter, fear paralysed their arms. Many looked upon the dragon as a judgment from God, sent as a chastisement for the quarrels and divisions among the Christians, and for many misdeeds committed, and these opinions so gained ground that even the most valiant withdrew from the enterprise.

Then the Knight Bromser took pity upon the universal distress. He went to the Emperor, and prayed to be allowed to undertake the combat in God's name. After he had armed himself he went to the cave inhabited by the monster, accompanied by the prayers of all for his safety. The dragon soon sprang at his

His journey home was fatiguing and full of danger. At last he reached Rudesheim in safety. He was received with great rejoicings, and Gisela wept tears of joy on his neck, as she had wept tears of bitterness at his departure.

On the day after his return a young knight appeared at the castle, and introduced himself to Bromser as the Knight of Falkenstein. The young man related with openness and confidence his love for Gisela, and that she returned his love, and that nothing was wanting to complete their happiness but her father's blessing. Bromser looked straight at him, and then at his daughter, in whose face he saw the confirmation of Falkenstein's words, and seizing both their hands, said heartily, but in a melancholy tone

"How willingly would I have acceded to your wish and blessed you as my son, for I knew your father, he often spoke of you-the brave man who fell at Edessa in the war against the enemies of our faith: he was my dearest brother in arms; but I am prevented by a solemn vow from giving you to each other. When an unhappy captive of the Saracens,

troop of Saracens rushed upon him, and after a short defence he was made prisoner. With his hands bound, the noble warrior and deliverer of his companions was dragged to the enemy's camp, and exposed to the scorn of the wild hordes, and at last surrendered to an Emir as his personal property. By him he was sent to a fortified castle, and strictly guarded. Here in solitude, and in a lonely prison, in fearful and nearly hopeless captivity, a longing after his beloved Fatherland seized upon his soul. He thought with pain upon his beautiful and knightly castle, and of his solitary Gisela; and in the grief of his heart made a solemn vow that if he should ever be permitted to return home he would found a convent in his Fatherland, and that his daughter should then take the veil as the first nun. After the vow, he felt more confident and calm, in fact his escape was not far distant. On a dark night the Christian host, in a victorious progress, fell upon and stormed the strong castle which harboured the knight, and led him to the camp in triumph.

He only remained a few months with his companions in arms, and then obtained the Emperor's permission to return to Germany.