The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-06-15

4 WHcH Tug Hesuhcss VI the evening DfttLc Hdu
tempered the heat Of day, the worthy Alcayde
sailed forth, with nine Of his cavaliers, TO pa
troll the neighborhood, and seek adventures.
They rode quietly and cautiously, lest they
should be overheard by Moorish scout or ira
weller; and kept along ravines and hollow
ways, lest they should be betrayed by the gilt
tering Of the full moon upon their amor
Coming to where the road divided, the Al
cayde directed FIVE Of his cavaliers to take
one of the branches. while he, with the re-
naming four, whould take the other. Should
either party be in danger, the blast of horn
was to be the signal TO bring their comrades
10 their aid.
The party Of FIVE, had not proceeded far,
when, in passing through defle, overhung
with trees, they heard the voice Of man,
singing. They Immediately concealed them
selves in grove, on the brow of declivity,
up which the stranger would have to ascend.
The moonlight, which left the grove in deep
shadow, lit up the whole person Of the way
iarer, as he advanced, and enabled them to
distinguish his dress and appearance, with
perfect accuracy. He was Moorish caya-
her, and his noble demeanor, graceful CAR
riage, and splendid attire, showed him to be
OF lofty rank. He was superbly mounted, on
dappled-gray steed, Of powerful frame, and
generous spirit,and magnifcently caparisoned.
His dress was marlota or tunic, and an AL
bernoz OF crimson damask, fringed with gold.
His Tunisian turban of many folds, was of
silk and cotton striped, and bordered with
golden fringe. AT his girdle hung seine
tar Of Damascus steel, with loops and tassels
of silk and gold. On his left arm he bore an
ample target, and his right hand grasped
long double-pointed lance. Thus equipped
he sat negligently on his steed, as one who
dreamed of no danger, gazing on the moon,
and singing, with sweet and manly voice, a
Moorish love ditty.
Just opposite the place where the Spanish
cavaliers were concealed, was small foun-
tain in the rock, beside the road, to which the
horse turned 10 drink the rider threw the
reins on his neck, and continued his song.
The Spanish cavaliers conferred together
they were all SO pleased with the gallant and
gentle appearance orthe Moor, that they re-
solved not to harm but to capture him, which,
III his negligent mood, promised to be al easy
task; rushing therefore, from their conceal
ment, they thought to surround and seize
him. Never were men more mistaken 10
gather up his reins, wheel round his steed,
brace his buckler, and couch his lanae, was
the work Of an instant and there he sat, fixed
like castle in his saddle, beside the foun-
tain.
The Christian cavaliers checked their
steeds, and recommended him warily 10th 10
come to an encounter, which must end in his
destruction. ..@
The Moor now held parley If you be
true knights said he, and seek for homo
rable fame, come on, singly, and am ready
to meet each in succession; but if you be
mere lurkers Of the road, intent on spoil, come
all at once, and do your worst
The cavaliers communed for moment
apart, when one, advancing singly, exclaimed:
Although no law Of chivalry obliges us to
risk the loss of prize, when clearly in our
power, yet we willingly grant, as courtesy,
what we might refuse as right. Valiant
Moor, defend thyselfn
So saying, he wheeled, took proper dis
lance, couched his lance, and putting spurs
to his horse, made at the stranger. The lat
ter met him in mid career, transported him
with his lance, and threw him headlong from
his saddle. A second and third succeeded
but were endorsed with equal facility, and
thrown to the earth severely wounded The
remaining two, seeing their comrades thus
roughly treated, forgot all compact Of courtesy
and charged both at once upon The Moor. He
parted the thrust of one, but was wounded
by the other in the thigh, and, in the shock
and confusion, dropped his lance. Thus dis
armed and closely pressed, he pretended to
fly, and was holly pursued. Having drawn
the two cavaliers some distance from the
spot, he suddenly wheeled short about, with
one of those dex,erous movements for which
the Moorish horseman were renowned
passed swiftly between them, swung himself
down from his saddle so as to catch up his
lance, then, lightly replacing himself, turned
to renew the combat.
Seeing him thus fresh for the encounter,
as il just issued from his tent, one of the ca
Tiers put his lips to his horn, and blew blast,
that soon brought the Alcaydo and his four
companions to the spot.
The valiant Narvaez, seeing three Of his
cavaliers extended on the earth, and two
others holly engaged with the Moor was
struck with admiration, and coveted con-
test with so accomplished warrior. Inter-
fering in the fight, he called upon mis- fol.
lowers TO desist, and addressing the Moor,
with courteous words, invited him TO a more
equal combat The latter readily accepted
the challenge. For some time, the contest
was fierce and doubtful, and the Alcayde had
need of all his skill and strength 10 ward off
the blows of his antagonist The Moor, how
ever, was exhausted by previous fighting,
and by loss of blood. He no longer sat his
horse firmly, nor managed him with his won't
ed skill. Collecting all his strength for last
assault he rose in his strrups, and made
violent thrust with his lance; the Alcayde
received it upon his shield, and at the same
time wounded the Moor in the right arm;
then closing, in the shock, he grasped him
in his arms, dragged him from his saddle, and
fell with him 10 the earth when putting his