CHAPTER III.

A RHINE LEGEND.





An honest tale speeds best being plainly told.

-King Richard III.

"THE valley of the Rhine," commenced Carlton, "is no more famous for
its classic beauty than for the romance of its historic story; and
the traveller is sure, while his eyes drink in of the beauty of its
scenery, to have his ears regaled with the tragic record of its
neighborhood. The name of Petard-the name of as bold a bandit as
ever led a company of mountain-robbers--has become classic as any
historic name of the Germanic confederacy, or the Italian states, by
reason of the influence he exerted, the boldness of his deeds, the
oftentimes chivalric character of his conduct; but, above all, for
his singular personal bravery, and his remarkable prowess in battle.
Only second, as it regarded the extent of his fame, to the renowned
Schinderhannes, he even exceeded that bold and romantic bandit in
the general character of his purposes, and the extraordinary success
that attended his plans of operation.