Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-10-10

the javelin from his breast, and with it
overthrow another of his pursuers, who
now had again approached him. Mean
while, Lara had bsheld the conduct Ct
the Numidan with extreme admiration.
Ills bravery, his extreme skill in the
management both Of lis weapons and his
horse, estimating the excellence of all
warIikc exercises, and candid and gen
erous in acknowledging it, although in
the pers on Of an enemy. Lara advan-
ced towards the stranger; and, ordering
his men to keep their ranks--who, stung
with the loss OF their comrades, were on
the point q. charging, he thus address
ed him: "Brave African. it is enough.
DO not prolong fruitless resistance.
Yield your arms to me. can scarce
restrain my soldiers, leave me the graft
fication Of preserving so brave life. "
Life" answered the Numidian, "life
is boon only to tho happy-to the
wretched it is burden. Rather than
become a captive, will lose it by thy
hand" So saying, he drew his seine
tar, and urged his horse upon the Span
lard Lara threw down his lance, drew
his sword, and met him mid way. In
courage and in skill it would be difficult
to find two men more nearly matched
but the Castllian was shesthed in steel,
while the Numidian had no defensive
arms except a light buckler, which he
wore upon his left arm. His javelins,
in the use Of which he had shewn such
fatal skill-and which, at ordinary times,
served as n countcrbalauce to the long
lanccs and coats Of mail Of the Chris,
tlans-his javeIins had all been cast.
Had they been sent from the quiver Of
Azrael, tho aim could not have been
surer or more deadly. Each had borne
death upon its wing; and one might
boast of double victim. But now the
African had only his scmetar and shield;
his bare arms and legs-his light tunic
his linen turban-wou!d seem to be
uncquaIy matched against the casque,
and corsIet, and gauntlets, and cuirass
Of the stcel-clad Spaniard. But in ac-
livty both Of horse and rider, the N.Y.
indian and his barb had vastly the ad-
vantage. There seemed, too, an unan-
unity, a community almost, of spirit be-
tween them, which was equally surrris-
ing and extraordinary. The horse
seconded his master in every manGuvre,
both of attack and defence. He leaped
into the air to give his descending blow
more force-he sprung on one side to
avoid that of his antagonist. The fable
of the Centaur might almost be said to
b,y. boon ra,l;soJ IN them, Nor ,yos
the skill of the African inferior to that
of his gallant steed. His long cimctar
swept through the air with force, and
destended in quick repeated blows with
a weight, which rendered the armour Of
the Spaniard the safeguard of his life.
In defence too he was equally adroit.
His solitary buckler was under Lara's
blow wherever it might fall. 1t served
once for helmet and cuirass-for gaunt-
let and for greave; but its strength was
unequal to its masters skill. The nigh
ty stroke ofthe redoubted Lara delivered
with his whole strength, at last cut into
the buckler which received its force !;
Glove the shoulder Of the Numidan, and
threw him to tho cath. Ills gallant
horse, OH seeing his master fall, uttered
that piercing cry which, from its rare
occurrence, as well as its thrilling and
unearthly tone, is perhaps the most ap-
palling of all the sounds with which ma
ture has gifted the animal creation. But
this noble beast, not contented with thus
lamcnting his master, strove still to de-
fend him. lie covered his fallen body
and, standing upon his hind feet, reared
into the air, and opposed, with lis fore
the approach of Lara. AS he turned, SC
did the horse; his threatening feet form.
ed a rampant over his riders body. A
length, seeing the whole Castiian trooI
draw in, the horse (Which almost seemed
to share his masters haired of captivity,
fled with the speed Of the wind acros:
the plain, and disappeared in the distance
Lara, in the meantime, approached his
prisoner; raised him from the Garth
! examined his wound, which he found hat
only penetrated the fcsh-ahd used to-
wards him all those courtesies and amen
titles which were so familiar and so be-
coming to a brave ard accomplished
knight like this celebrated Spaniard.
The Numidian gives spirited sketcl
of his life and love, and tells him how
bitter his captivity; for his wife had beer
trusted to the care Of Osman, who hat
dared to take advantage of the trust o
hospitality to offend the ear OF Fora will
VOWS Of love! Lara, (he continues,
if the love of an African is ferco, hi
jealousy is furious. In his bosom it i
the concentration Of every passion-i
sweeps away every thing before th'
, violence Of It's course. The whirlwin'