What was to be done? Her brother was too far away to come to her aid. She decided, however, to send a message to him, asking him to come at once.
Knowing that it would be unsafe for the princess to remain in the Castle the old Warder persuaded Williswind to set out for a Convent, which was not many miles away.
The robber knight, however, had left spies all about the castle and the princess had not gone very far with her followers, when they were overtaken by the knight himself.
The servants with Williswind fought bravely, but they were soon overcome. The bold knight carried Williswind and her maid off to a lonely tower in the woods.
“Here I shall leave you,” he said; “but I will return in three days to receive your answer.”
Then he locked the heavy door, and left them alone. The two captives looked about for means of escape, but they found only thick walls and heavily barred doors and windows. All about them was nothing but wilderness, so they could expect aid from no passerby. Escape was hopeless.
They looked about the tower for food and water, but none was to be found. The unhappy girls sat and waited anxiously. They looked through the barred windows. The hours seemed days. Suddenly Williswind gave a cry of joy.
“Oh, look,” she said, “yonder is my pet raven.”
She whistled to the raven. It recognized her voice and came at once. She and Othmar had spent many happy hours together, teaching the raven to do various things. Among other things, it had learned to bring berries.
The bird at once seemed to understand everything, and went out into the woods. Soon it returned with a few berries. Back and forth it went during the whole day, bringing berries to the two hungry girls. The next day and the day after, it kept them supplied with this kind of food.
On the third day the robber knight reappeared. He felt sure that Williswind would by this time be ready to agree to accept him, but his hope was in vain. The food which the bird had brought had increased her courage.
“Not for all the wealth of India,” she said, “would I consent to your proposal.”
Angrily the knight rode away, declaring that he would return again in three days more. The time passed very slowly in the gloomy tower. In spite of the raven’s faithful visits, the girls became faint and weak from hunger.