The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-08-22

tnrbands were plumed and jcweicd.
and their sabrcs and poinards of
Damascenc steel were adorned with
gold and gems on the hilt and seab %
bard.
This splendid troop advanced to
the sound Of military music. and
when they met the the Chris
tian body, they opened their Giles
To the right aud left, and let
them enter between their ranks
Richard now assumed the foremost
place in his troop, aware chat Sala-
din himself was approaching. Nor
was it long when, i'll the centre of
his body guard surrounded by his
domestic officers. and those hideous
negroes who guard the Eastern ha-
ram, and whose misshapen forms
were rendered yet more lrightful by
the richness Of their attire. came the
Sedan, with the look n manners of
one on whose brow Nature had writ
ten, This is king! In his snow
white turban. vest, aud wide eastern
trousers, wearing a sash OF scar
let sill, without any other orna-
mcnt, Saldan might have seemed
the most plain dressed man in hi4
guard, But closer inspection dis
ccrncd in his tnrban that incstima-
BILE gem, which was called by the
poets, the Sea Of Light; the diamond
on which his signet was engraved,
and which he wore in "A ring, was
probably worth all the jewels Of the
English crown, aud sapphire
which terminated the hilt Of his cam
par. was not Of much inferior value.
1t should be added, that To protcct
him from the dust, which III the sici-
nifty OF the Dead Sea, resembles the
finest ashes, or, perhaps out of ori-
entail pride, the Sedan Wore sort
Of veil attached 10 his turban, which
partly obsCured the view OF his no
bic features. He rode milk white
Arabian, which bore him a. il con
seiAs aud proud Of his noble bar
then.
There was no need of farther intro
duction. The two heroic monarchs,
for such they both were. threw
themselves at once from horseback.
and the troops hating and Tie mu-
sic suddenly ceasing, theJ advanced
To meet each other in profound 81
lcuce, and after courteous Inclna-
ton on either side, they embraced as
brethren and equals.
The hour at length arrived. the
I rumpets sounded, the knights rode
into the lists armed at all points,
aud mounted like men who were to
do battle for Kingdoms honor
They wore their vizors up, and ri
ding around the lists three times
showed themselves to the spec
tators. Both were goodIy persons,
aud both had noble comtcnances.--
But there was an air of manly CON
fdenCe on the brow OF the SCot--a
radiancy of hope which amounted
even to chcerInlncss, while. altho'
pfidc and effort had recalled much
OF Comrades natural courage, there
lowered still on his brow cloud OF o.
min0us dependence. Even his stced
seemed to tread loss lightly y bIlthc-
" to the trumpct's sound than the no
BILE Arab which was bcstr0dc by Sir
Kenneth and the spruck-Sprecher
shook his head while he observed
that while the challenger rode a.
round the lists in the course of the
sun, that, is from right to left, the
defender made the same circuit 7Ult-
derS;ns, that is from left to right,
which is in most countries held Oml-
nous.
4 temporary altar was erected Just
beneath the gallery occupied by the
Queen, q beside it stood the hermit in
the dress Of his order, rs "A Carnelitc
friar. Other Charchmen were also pre-
sent. To this altar the challenger Il
defender were successfully brought
forward. conducted by their rcspec-
tive sponsors. Dismonntiog before
ii, each knight avUuchcd the justice
Of his cause by Il solemn oath on the
Eeangelists, and prayed that Tissue
cess might be according to the truth
or faIschood Of what hc then sworc.
They also made oath that they came
to do battle in knigatly gaise. and
with the usual weapons. discIaiming
the use OF spells, charms or magical
devices, to incline the victory ON
their side. The challenger made his
oath with a firm and manly voice,
and bold and cheerful countcnancc.