The arrow of gold, or, The shell gatherer a story that unfolds its own mysteries and moral |
 |
THE ROBBER BARON. |
 | The arrow of gold, or, The shell gatherer |  |
THE ROBBER BARON.
BY PHILIP LEE, JR.
There was not a maiden in all Calabria
fairer than the beauteous daughter of old Herr
Von Arnhelm. For, being brought up from infancy
in the free air of the forest, she possessed
all those natural graces which are so fascinating
when unrestrained by the formalities of fashion.
Her father was a tenant on the manor lands of
the young baron, Lord Eldred de Gottingen.
The fair Lizetta possessed a buoyant spirit,
which threw a gleam of happy joyousness
around her father's humble cottage. She had
never known a mother's maternal love, for she
had died when her daughter was but a few days
old, leaving her babe in the care of her husband.
Though he was a rugged mountaineer, yet he
possessed a father's feelings, and he loved his
daughter tenderly. And no wish of hers remained
ungratified which came within the scope
of his humble means. Hitherto her life had
been one unobstructed stream of happiness; and
her love for young Lorando Ruric was soon to
be consummated in marriage. But she was
loved by the Lord Eldred, who had seen her
one day in the forest, in one of his hunting excursions,
and from that day he resolved to win
her, by fair means or foul. With the intention
of winning her regard, he had often contrived to
meet her during her rambles in the forest; for
she had an inquiring mind after knowledge, and
enthusiastically appreciated the beauties and
sublimities of nature spread out everywhere before
her view. When they had met, she had always
repulsed his address courteously yet firmly.
During one of these rambles she was disturbed
in her contemplation of the majestic
grandeur of the scenery around her by a figure
which emerged from among the trees and confronted
her. One glance sufficed to show her
the form of Lord Eldred. She would have fled
homeward, but he laid one hand on her arm and
held her fast.
“Ah, my pretty bird, have I got you at last,
though much you have tried to elude my vigilance.
I now desire to know my fate from your
fair lips.”
“Unhand me, sir!” cried the maiden, at the
same time struggling vehemently to free herself
from his grasp. “By what right do you treat
an unprotected maiden in this manner?”
“By what right? Ho, my pretty one, by the
right any one would another when their love is
repulsed. But I have the happy announcement
to make, that you are to become my wife.”
“Me your wife!” cried the maiden, looking
at him in alarm. “You dare not do it. Unhand
me, sir, or I will cry for help.”
“Your cries here will be of no avail. The
forest will only return the echoes of your voice,
your becoming my wife, we will see what effect
a confinement in the lowest dungeons of my castle
will have on your decision. And you need
not think that Lorando Ruric will come to your
rescue, for he but yesterday fell on the battle-field.”
Having given this consoling information, he
placed a bugle to his lips and blew a long, shrill
blast. This was quickly answered at a distance
in a similar manner; and in a short time a party
of armed retainers issued from the mazes of the
forest and stood in waiting for the commands of
their chief.
“Here, Beppo,” cried Lord Eldred, addressing
one who looked as if he commanded the party
by his air of authority, and withal a villanous
looking personage, “take this refractory bird to
the castle, and put her in the lowest dungeon of
the prison, and have her strictly guarded until I
order otherwise.”
“Ah, ah. I'll do it with a right good will,”
answered the worthy personage mentioned above.
“And if she escapes, my head may answer for
the consequences.”
“Never mind your head,” said the baron,
“for I guess it's of no consequence; but do as I
bid you.”
The band then, at a sign from Beppo, seized
Lizetta, and, in spite of her shrieks and entreaties,
bound and gagged her, and then moved silently
off towards the castle.
From the incidents already recorded, the
reader will probably conclude that the character
of Lord Eldred was not wholly unstained by
those vices which were so prevalent in the times
of which we write. And in such surmises he
will be correct. For, from his earliest boyhood,
he had followed unrestrained the bent of his own
inclinations, unchecked by the dictates of reason
or prudence; consequently, he grew up with an
obstinate or headstrong will. Therefore, in his
love for Lizetta, he was not to be foiled by her
refusal, even if he had to resort to stringent, if
not more dishonorable, means.
But to return to the maiden. When the cavalcade
arrived at the castle gate, at the sound of
the horn the portcullis was lowered, and the
whole party was soon within the castle yard. A
few minutes only elapsed, and then she was conducted
to a low, damp dungeon, in the left wing
of the castle, where she was left to her own reflections,
and they were not of the most comfortable
nature, as she pondered over her future
prospects. She was now in the power of a man
whom she loathed as the reptiles which crawl
upon the earth. But she resolved to die rather
than submit to any of his propositions. And
then the death of her lover. Could she believe
it? and yet it was probable, for the war had
lately become more sanguinary in its character
than at first. She also thought of her father,
how, if he knew of her retreat, he would fly to
her rescue, or die in the attempt. But, alas! no
one friendly to her knew of her retreat. She
was surrounded by the retainers of Lord Eldred,
who were ready to execute his commands, no
matter what they might be.
A person now came in with some refreshment,
and informed her that the baron would visit her
on the morrow. She made no reply, but only
gave the attendant a despairing look. The door
then closed, the key grated harshly in the lock,
and she was once more left alone.
Slowly the hours wore on, and not a sound
broke the stillness save the measured tread of
the sentinel, as he paced up and down the dull
corridor. But at last the castle clock tolled the
hour of one. The moon had risen in unclouded
splendor. The tread of the sentinel had died
away, sleep having obtained the predominance
over vigilance; and universal stillness reigned
throughout that vast pile. Lizetta still sat in
the same position she had assumed on her first
entering the cell, with her eyes fixed despairingly
on the walls of her prison-house. Suddenly
a ray of light entered a crevice in the wall, and
fell on the floor at her feet. She started up, and
gazed through the interstice. As she gazed a
sudden idea seemed to strike her, and so overcome
was she with the suddenness of the
thought, that she sank down on the floor and
covered her face with her hands. She remained
in that position for some minutes, and when she
at last arose to her feet, she was calm and her
face wore a look of fixed determination to effect
a purpose which had so suddenly crossed her
mind. It was no less than a hope of effecting
her escape which had animated her to action.
That part of the castle in which the cell was situated
was in a great state of dilapidation, and
as Lizetta approached the wall through which
the light entered, she with joy beheld a great
part of it ready to crumble down at the slightest
touch. She listened awhile, but no sound
broke the solemn stillness which prevailed. She
then cautiously approached the tottering mass,
and gave it a slight push, when a portion fell
corridors with fearful distinctness. However,
the noise did not appear to have disturbed any
one, so she proceeded, but with great caution, as
there were obstacles still to be encountered
which seemed almost insurmountable; but, by
dint of great perseverence, she got over the wall.
But even now her prospect of escape seemed
hopeless, for, though she was now in the open
air, the way was thickly strewed with broken
columns and large stones, while the thorns and
briers grew in rank profusion around. But delay
was dangerous; for the noise of the falling
wall had waked the drowsy sentinel, who, after
listening for some moments, concluded to enter
the cell to see what was the matter. But he
opened his eyes with astonishment, when he perceived
that the bird had flown.
But to return again to the fair prisoner. After
emerging from the wall, she hurried on as fast
as difficulties would permit. For the castle was
now thoroughly aroused; lights were flashing
on the walls, the culverin was belching forth its
hoarse notes, and the castle bell sent forth its
deep-toned notes of alarm. Lizetta had now entered
the forest shades, and soon after entering,
she suddenly came to an opening in which the
moonbeams shone with the softest radiance.
And here, to give the reader a better idea of
the locality, we will briefly describe it. It was
the ruins of one of those large castles which the
barons erected during the prevalence of the fendal
system, and behind whose frowning battlements
they had sometimes even opposed the
power of their sovereign. The owner of this
once impregnable castle had fought and died in
the Holy Land during the Crusades. From
that time the castle had sunk into ruins, and,
among the peasantry around it, had the reputation
of being haunted. And many were the
stories told of dark forms having been seen moving
up its dark corridors, and shrieks and groans
being heard from its walls. But, perhaps, the
beaming of the moon from under a cloud, or the
wind howling through its dim aisles, might have
offered a solution of its mysterious character.
But the superstitions of that age were deeply
rooted, and no explanation would have been accepted,
as the marvellous was loved for its very
fearfulness. There were, however, a few, who,
being more intelligent, were not so superstitious
as the mass. And among them was our heroine,
who approached the ruins without any fear,
though she could not restrain a feeling of awe,
as she contemplated the majestic grandeur of a
sight so imposing, gilded as it was with the
moonbeams lighting up its old gray columns
and crumbling terraces with a flood of soft light.
But the danger behind her was increasing. She
could hear the clear notes of the bugle ringing
out on the clear night air. She could hear the
portcullis come down with a crash, and the clatter
of horses' hoofs thundering over the stone
pavement, as they dashod out in pursuit of the
fugitive. All these came with fearful distinctness
to her ears. How was she to evade pursuit?
The night air blew with biting keenness,
and she had endured hardships in effecting her
escape which her frame would have sunk under
on ordinary occasions. Besides, she knew not
in what part of the forest she was, for, though
she had often heard of the old haunted castle,
she knew not its exact location.
She was just on the point of giving up in despair,
when she saw a figure moving among the
ruins, and which riveted her attention, for it was
coming directly towards her. But, as it came
forward, a sudden tremor came over her, for she
recognized the form of her lover. The thought
flashed quickly through her mind: could he
have risen from the grave? For she did not
suspect that Lord Eldred had deceived her. The
hardships of the night, combined with the emotions
she now felt, were too much for her weakened
frame; she sunk into a swoon.
When she came to a consciousness of her situation,
she was held in the arms of her lover, who
appeared to be bona fide flesh and blood, and he
was gazing down intently on her face with anxious
solicitude.
“O, dear Lorando!” she exclaimed, “this is
a happy, happy moment; for I have been persecuted
since your absence until I was weary of
life. O, how glad I am you have returned!”
And the maiden wept from very happiness.
“But, my dear Lizetta,” said her lover,
“how, in the name of all that's wonderful, did
you come in this situation?”
“Why, the Baron Eldred sought to force me
to become his wife, and I but a short time since
escaped from his dungeon. But were you not
severely wounded on the battle-field, for the
baron told me that you were killed?”
“Did he tell you that? Ha! ha! the perfidious
wretch! But be not alarmed for my
safety, for I received only a slight wound on the
arm.”
“O, let us fly from hence!” cried the maiden,
far off. “For the minions of the baron are already
on my track.”
“Then, by the holy cross,” exclaimed the
youth, energetically, “I will meet him, and chastise
him for his insolence.”
Saying this, the young officer (for he had received
a high post in the army about two weeks
previous) placed a small hand-trumpet to his
lips, and blew a low but shrill note.
In a moment, as if by magic, a large number
of soldiers, in the imperial uniform, came out
from behind the old ivy-covered pillars, and approached
them.
“Be not surprised,” said the youth, as he noticed
the bewildered look of the maiden, “for I
have lately received an appointment in the
army. And I was sent to these old ruins to-night,
with my regiment, to surprise a band of
banditti, who are supposed to have their rendezvous
within its old walls. And I have obtained
indubitable evidence of the Baron Lord Eldred
de Gottingen being the leader of this terrible
band, which has so long infested this forest, and
been a terror to travellers in these parts.”
He then conducted the maiden within the
shade of a large pillar, at some distance off,
where she would be safe from harm during the
expected conflict. He then returned to his men,
in order to place them in an advantageous position
for the approaching combat, which he did
by dividing them in two parties, and placing
one on either side of the road.
Hardly had the preparations been hastily executed,
when the party appeared in sight, at a
short distance off, coming at a moderate pace;
for the broken columns and walls, together with
the brambles and thorns which grew thickly
about, presented a strong impediment to their
faster progression. As they proceeded, every
hedge and projecting column was searched.
But when they caught sight of the soldiers,
drawn up in such formidable array to receive
them, they all drew rein, as if by common consent.
The baron, who rode in front, turned pale
with a guilty consciousness that his schemes,
whatever they may have been, were discovered.
But his confusion was but momentary, for, turning
to his men, he gave a few orders in a low
tone; when the whole party wheeled around,
and started off from the place.
But this was only a feint of the baron's to divert
the attention of his antagonists, so as to set
them in pursuit, and then suddenly charge on
them. But in this he was disappointed, for they
remained unmoved, no doubt suspecting his design.
Seeing the scheme frustrated, they
wheeled around, and charged with terrific force.
But the disciplined soldiers received them with
undaunted bravery, and many a horse, bounding
riderless away, testified to their prowess.
For an hour the fearful drama lasted, and
when at last the retainers of the baron, or, more
properly, the robbers, were subdued, the sun had
arose, throwing its beams over the scene of combat.
Those who were not killed were securely
bound. Among the latter was the baron, who
was not taken without a stout resistance, and
many imprecations against the leader of his captors.
But they were of no avail; so the whole
party started off with their prisoners towards the
city, where their quarters were.
Lizetta was mounted on one of the horses, for
her lover resolved to take her to the city with
him, the more effectually to protect her from
danger, her father's house being a long distance
off in the opposite direction.
The trial of the baron and his men was soon
in progression, when overwhelming evidence appeared,
showing that he had been the leader of
a band of robbers for several years. He was,
consequently, sentenced to death, and a day was
appointed for his execution. Previous to his
execution, he made an attempt to escape, but
was foiled in his design. Soon after, the remnant
of his band, comprising those who were not
in the melee recorded above, formed a desperate
design of attempting his rescue, even on the
scaffold. They were a band of reckless, daring
marauders, whose delight was in danger, and
they had a desperate purpose to effect.
The morning appointed for the execution
dawned, and at an early hour thousands came
pouring in. The martial tread of the soldiers,
the gilded trappings and gay caparisons of the
steeds, and the waving of casques and plumes,
gave the scene a feature of strange and thrilling
interest. Scattered among the groups who surrounded
the scaffold, were a party of men
dressed in the habiliments of peasants of the interior,
who would hardly have been noticed
from the mass who surrounded them. But a
keener scrutiny would have seen that they took
more than a common interest in the scene. As
the time drew near, they came in a body to the
foot of the scaffold. Just then the clarions announced
the approach of the procession. As the
headsman and prisoner ascended the block, a
threw off their outside garments, and disclosed
a band of ferocious-looking men, armed to the
teeth, who rushed on the soldiers, and a desperate
conflict ensued. One robber, more gigantic
than the rest, rushed on the scaffold, and bore
the robber-baron off in his arms. The robbers
fought with the bravery of despair, but were all
killed or wounded to a man. The baron was recaptured,
and again conveyed to the block. Then
came the whizzing of the axe through the air, a
rush of dark blood on the scaffold, and the robber-baron
was no more.
Lorando Ruric received the badge of knighthood,
and when the war was ended, received a
reward from the emperor for his services, besides
the honor and esteem of the people. He
was soon married to his beloved Lizetta, and
they retired to a spacious mansion on the banks
of the Lech, where her father lived with them.
Here, in rural occupations, their lives passed in
quiet happiness.
| The arrow of gold, or, The shell gatherer | |