[[3]] Sassen—Old German for Saxon.
They vowed to a man henceforth to forsake the worship of Krodo, to remain true to the new faith, followed the venerable hermit to the banks of the Oder, and were baptized into Christ's death and resurrection, and from every side the people flocked to hear the words of the apostle.
Thus was formed in the rugged, steep cliff the primeval cave, the Steinkirche, the meeting-place of the first Christians of this neighbourhood.
The Nymph Ruma and the Weingarten Höhle.
In the middle of fruitful fields and green meadows not far from Scharzfels rises the ball-shaped alabaster Romerstein, on whose summit ragged cliffs rise in the air resembling the ruins of a castle.
In the days before authentic history a race of giants dwelt hereabout, who, fearing the mountain-spirit,[[1]] piled up these cliffs and constructed thus a giant fortress, of which these cliffs are the proud remains.
[[1]] Berggeist.
Romar, a blooming youth of this race, was once hunting in the neighbouring forest for deer or wild boar.
The soft air fanned gently his glowing face, the birds sang in the thicket, and the gentle influence of the hour led him to slacken his pace.