ald, and
were traversing one of its most lonely and thickly wooded passes. It is
well known that the forests of Germany have always been as much infested
by robbers as its castles by specters; and at this time the former were
particularly numerous, from the hordes of disbanded soldiers wandering
about the country. It will not appear extraordinary, therefore, that the
cavaliers were attacked by a gang of these stragglers, in the midst of
the forest. They defended themselves with bravery, but were nearly
overpowered, when the count's retinue arrived to their assistance. At
sight of them the robbers fled, but not until the count had received a
mortal wound. He was slowly and carefully conveyed back to the city of
Wurtzburg, and a friar summoned from a neighboring convent who was
famous for his skill in administering to both soul and body; but half of
his skill was superfluous; the moments of the unfortunate count were
numbered.

With his dying breath he entreated his friend to repair instantly to the
castle of Landshort, and explain the fatal cause of his not keeping his
appointment with his bride. Though not the most ardent of lovers, he
was one of the most punctilious of men, and appeared earnestly
solicitous that his mission should be speedily and courteously executed.
"Unless this is done," said he, "I shall not sleep quietly in my grave!"
He repeated these last words with peculiar solemnity. A request, at a
moment so impressive, admitted no hesitation. Starkenfaust endeavored to
soothe him to calmness; promised faithfully to execute his wish, and
gave him his hand in solemn pledge. The dying man pressed it in
acknowledgment, but soon lapsed into delirium--raved about his
bride--his engagements--his plighted word; ordered his horse, that he
might ride to the castle of Landshort; and expired in the fancied act of
vaulting into the saddle.

Starkenfaust bestowed a sigh and a soldier's tear on the untimely fate
of his comrade, and then pondered on the awkward mission he had
undertaken. His heart was heavy, and his head perplexed; for he was to
present himself an unbidden guest among hostile people, and to damp
their festivity with tidings fatal to their hopes. Still, there were
certain whisperings of curiosity in his bosom to see this far-famed
beauty of Katzenellenbogen, so cautiously shut up from the world; for he
was a passionate admirer of the sex, and there was a dash of
eccentricity and enterprise in his character