to blows over a mere Christian maid.  Tomorrow she shall be offered to the dragon, in thanksgiving for your victory.”  And they felt that they had done well, for had they not averted the impending quarrel, and at the same time gained a victim for their cruel rites?  But the heart of Rinbod was heavy indeed, for he truly loved the young Christian maid, and would have given his life to save her from the horrible fate that awaited her.  However, the decree of the priests was irrevocable, and no pleadings of his could avail.  The girl was informed of the cruel destiny that was to befall her on the morrow, and with a calm mind she sought consolation from Heaven to enable her to meet her fate with courage befitting a Christian.

Early on the following morning she was led with much ceremony to a spot before the Dragon’s Cave and there bound to an oak, to await the approach of the monster, whose custom it was to sally forth at sunrise in search of prey.  The procession of priests, warriors, and peasants who had followed the victim to the place of sacrifice now climbed to the summit of the crag and watched eagerly for the coming of the dragon.  Rinbod watched also, but it was with eyes full of anguish and apprehension.  The Christian maid seemed to him more like a spirit than a human being, so calmly, so steadfastly did she bear herself.

Suddenly a stifled cry broke from the lips of the watchers—­the hideous monster was seen dragging its heavy coils from the cavern, fire issuing from its mouth and nostrils.  At its mighty roar even the bravest trembled.  But the Christian maid alone showed no sign of fear; she awaited the oncoming of the dreadful creature with a hymn of praise on her lips.  Nearer and nearer came the dragon, and at length, with a horrible roar, it sprang at its prey.  But even as it did so the maiden held out her crucifix before her, and the dragon was checked in its onrush.  A moment later it turned aside and plunged into the Rhine.  The people on the crag were filled with awe at the miraculous power of the strange symbol which had overcome their idol and, descending, hastened to free the young girl from her bonds.  When they learned the significance of the cross they begged that she would send them teachers that they might learn about the new religion.  In vain their priests endeavoured to dissuade them.  They had seen the power of the crucifix, and their renunciation of their pagan creed was complete.

Among the first to adopt the Christian religion was Rinbod; he married the beautiful captive and built a castle for her on the Drachenfels, whose ruins remain to this day.

It seems a pity that such a beautiful legend should have doubts cast upon its authenticity, but it has been conjectured that the word Drachenfels has a geological rather than a romantic significance—­being, in fact, derived from Trachyt-fels, meaning ‘Trachyte-rock.’  This view is supported by the fact that there is another Drachenfels near Mannheim of a similar geological construction, but without the legend.  However, it is unlikely that the people of antiquity would bestow a geological name upon any locality.