SECOND SHADOWY LINE.

Whereupon the DITMARSCH-STADE Markgrafs (as some designate them)
had to interfere, these shadowy Deputies of the Witekind breed
having vanished in that manner. The Ditmarschers recovered the
place; and with some fighting, did in the main at least keep
Triglaph and the Wends out of it in time coming. The Wends were
fiercely troublesome, and fought much; but I think they never
actually got hold of Brandenburg again. They were beginning to get
notions of conversion: well preached to and well beaten upon,
you cannot hold out forever. Even Mistevoi at one time professed
tendencies to Christianity; perhaps partly for his Bride's sake,--
the dog, we may call him, in a milder sense! But he relapsed
dreadfully, after that insult; and his son worse. On the other
hand, Mistevoi's grandson was so zealous he went about with the
Missionary Preachers, and interpreted their German into Wendish:
"Oh, my poor Wends, will you hear, then, will you understand?
This solid Earth is but a shadow: Heaven forever or else Hell
forever, that is the reality!" SUCH "difference between right and
wrong" no Wend had heard of before: quite tremendously "important
if true!"--And doubtless it impressed many. There are heavy
Ditmarsch strokes for the unimpressible. By degrees all got
converted, though many were killed first; and, one way or other,
the Wends are preparing to efface themselves as a distinct people.

This STADE-AND-DITMARSCH family (of Anglish or Saxon breed,
if that is an advantage) seem generally to have furnished the
SALZWEDEL Office as well, of which Brandenburg was an offshoot,
done by deputy, usually also of their kin. They lasted in