Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-11-17

As soon as the pleasure Of the king
was known, there was q strife among
the cavaliers present. for the honor OF
the contest. Il Was decided by lot. and
the successful candidates were objects
of great envy, for every one was ambi-
tious Of finding favor in the eyes Of the
beautiful widow.
Missives were sent. summouing the
nephew and his two uneles TO Toledo,
to maintain their accusation. and day
was appointed for the combat. When
the day arrived. all Toledo was in COM
motion at an early hour. The lists had
been prepared in the usual place: Just
without the walls, ut the foot Of the
rugged rocks on which the city is built,
and on the beautiful meadow along the
Tagus. known by name of the kings
garden. The popuiace had already as
sembled. each one eager to secure ia
vorable place the balconies were soon
filed with the ladies Of the court, clad
IN their richest attire, and bands OF
youthful knights. splendidly armed and
decorated with their ladies' devices,
managing their superbly eaparisoned
steeds about the field. The king nj
length came forth in state, accompa-
MED by the queen Exilona. They
took their seats in raised balcony, I'm :
der canopy Of rich damask; and ut
sight Of them, the people rent the air
With acclamations.
The nephew and his uncles now rode
into the field, armed cap-a-pie. and fol-
lowed by train Of cavaliers Of their
own roiStering cast. great swearers and
lcsrousers, arrant swashbucklers, that
went about with clanking armor and
gingling spurs. When the people OF
Toledo beheld the Wanting and dis
courteous appearance Of these knights.
they were more anxious than ever for
the success Of the gentle dutchess; but
at the same time the sturdy and stall
wart frames Of these warriors, showed
that whoever won the victory from
them must do il at the cost of many a
bitter blow.
As the nephew and his riotous crew
rode in al one side of the field, the fair
widow appeared at the other, with her
suite Of grave grey-headed couriiers,
her ancient duennas and dainty demoi-
selles. and the little dwarf toiling along
Under the weight Of her train. Every
one made way for her as she passed,
and blessed her beautiful face, and
prayed for success TO her cause. She
took her seat in lower balcony, not
far from the sovereign; aud her pale
face. set off by her mourning weeds,
was as the moon shining forth from 4.
mong the clouds Of night.
The t.umpets sounded for the COM
bat. The warriors were Just entering
the lists, when a stranger knight, arm
ed IN panoply. and followed by two
pages and an esquire. came galloping
into the field, aud. riding up 10 the
royal balcony. claimed the combat as
matter Of right.
In me, cried he, behold the cava-
lier who had the happiness to rescue
the beautiful du.chess from the peril OF
the forest, and the misfortune 10 bring
on her this grievous calumny. II was
but recently. in the course Of my er-
rantry. that tdings Of her wrongs have
reached my ears, and have urged hi.
ther al all speed, TO stand forth in her
vindication.
No sooner did the duchess hear the
accents Of the knight than she recog-
nized his voice. and joined her prayers
with bis, that he might enter the lists.
The difficulty was TO determine which
OF the three champions already appoint.
ed should yield has place, each insist.
ing 90 the honor Of the combat. The
stranger knight would have settled the
point, by taking the whole contest upon
himself; but this the other knights
would not permit. II was At length
determined, as before, by lot. and the
cavalier who lost thu ebsuee retired
murmuTing and discOnsolale.
The trampets again sounded-ihe
lists were opened. The arrogant me-
phew and his two drawcsnsir Encles
appeared 80 completely cssed in steel,
that they and their sieeds were like
moving masses Of iron. When they
UNDERWOOD the stranger knight TO be
the same that had rescued the duiehess
from her peril, they greeted him with
the most boisterous derision:
% no sir knight Of the Dragon,
said they; you who pretend TO cham
pion fair widows in the dark, come on,
and vindieate your deeds of darkness
IN the open day.
The only reply Of the cavalier was,
70 put lsnce ~ ret. and brace himself
Coz the encounter. Needless il IL Co
relate the particulars &c battle which.
like % msny hundred combsls that
have been said aud sung IN prose and
verse. Who - there bot must have
foTscen the event % contest, where
Heaven had 10 decide on the guilt OF
innocence q the most beautiful and
immaculate Of WidYWsS
The spacious reader, deeply read
"a ihis kiBd 81 Judicial combsis, Gao
imagine the encounteF Of The graceless
nephew snd the stranger knight. He
sees their conclusion. man 20 man. sod
horse TO horse. IN mad career, and IN
that SiF Gfsosisss hurled 10 the ground,
and slain. lie will not wonder that
a.. r A. a.