Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-08-01
NgTSCEL aAES H..
THE CRUSADER.

before Autioch so long that the beSeiSers
and The beseiged were equally tired Of
contest which brought advantage to
neither. Their mutual wants led these
fierce enemies to a better unders ), anding
than any thing else could have done;-
and truce was agreed upon, that the
horrors of Il continual and sanguinary
warfare might al least have some res
pite. A treaty was made, and solemnly
sworn to; religious ceremonies ratified
the compact; aud there was no doubt
that its stipulatlons would be fulfilled
just SO long as it suited neither of the
parties to violate them.
Tire gates Of Antioch were at once
thrown open, and All unrestricted inter-
course took place between the army Of
the Christians and the defenders Of An
tioch. The leaders Of the Croises wan
aered at will throughout the city, and
their presence soon became so familiar
as to excite scarcely ali observation.
Among the bOldest warriors in the
field, and among the idlest saunterers
when quiet times prevailed, was Sir Ste
phen Vermandois. BY way of beguillng
the heavy hours winch the cessation OF
his ordinary miiitary duties had thrown
upon his hands, he amused himself by
wandering, unattended, through the
streets OF Antioch. One evening he
mad been walking onward, opening his
eyes, and wondering at every thing that
came in his way, when he suddenly
found himself IN u quarter of the city
much less popuious than any he had
before seen. The houses were sur
rounded by walls, and were less thicklv
placed than those in other parts Of the
city. There was a kind of privileged
look about them, and Sir Stephen con-
cluded, without hesitation, that they
must be inhabited by the better order OF
the people of Antioch.
As he walked beside the garden walls
Of one Of them, which appeared to be
Of great extent, he heard the voice ol
women; and, without being 'mpertinent,
he was willing enough to meet with
some adventure which might vary the
tediousness Of his present life. He
listened again; he was sure it was q
woman's voice he heard; and, with tn.
help of palm tree, the tall branches ol
which afforded him the means of climb.
ing, he was soon on the top ofthe wall
Below he saw two females; one appear.
ed, by her figure (for her face was OBJ.
scured from view, owing to her position
to be quite young; the other had reach.
ed more advanced period of life. Thai
/ u,ht hn
perceive that their dresses were of the
European fashion. Tle looked again
md saw that the younger of the ladie.
vas in tears, and that the other wa
;onsoling her. This was enough tt
'ouse less sensitive person than tn,
Crusader. He descended the wall rap
.dly; and, approaching them, soon qui
oted the alarm which his sudden appear
ance had created, by explaining hi
aame and rank, and offering his service
10 remove the cause Of the lady's griel
In some situations few words suffic
to inspire mutual confidence. The el
der of the ladies' explained to Sir Ste
phcn that she was the attendant Of tn
other, who was the daughter of Sir Bal
OWN de Courtenay, celebrated leade
who had died soon after the first arrive
Of the Crusaders. He had, however
previously formed an union with an Al
ninian Christian, by whom he had III
Lady Violetta. Soon afer the birth G
this child he had died, and the brothe
of his wife had taken charge Of th
poor lady and her infant That infar
had now ripened into womanhood, an
her present grief was occssioned by he
o luncle's announcement that he had CT
tered into treaty Of marriage for lie