The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-03-20

shrered, NTH the sword, and the dagger,
and the nnce, they kept up the strife for
nearly an hour. At The end of that time,
h"wever, pst g. the Spaniards had drawn
OFF for moment, with the purpose Of n
gain renewing the attack, the sound of
many homes feet, coming onward from the
French ssie Of the pass, was heard and
many a merry Gascon tongue, shouting aud
hallooing as they came no, showed tho
pursuersi that all their efforts would be vain.
With lowering front, then, they with
drew; from time 10 time wheeliog round,
TO see That they were not pursued in turn I;
but no s'ch purpose was entertained by
Francis d Folk, whose first questions were
addressed To his newly arrived followers.
They Informed him that they had met with
a frightened lady and her waiting damsel,
accompanied by Gaspnrd of Cervolles (;
that she had bade them hasten down to the
assisiaac, Of their lord and that old Gas
pard had come on with them, to show them
where he was.
Francis of Folk could not find in his
heart to speak hurshly to his old retainer I;
but he blamed him mildly for having left
the lady; and then rode on as fast ms pos
sible to seek her, leaving "A party behind to
bring away the dead and wounded of his
retnue.
He came TO the place where his followers
had been stationed, but Blanche Of Navarro
was not there. lie rode on to the spot where
three ronds crossed, and then paused anx-
ious and apprehcDsive. Dismouniing from
his horse, lie obtained a light from the splin-
tered fragments of pine, and eagerly
searched, upon every path, for the fresl,
marks Of horses feet. Al length he found
them; but the road on which they were
visible led not in the direction which lie had
purposed to take. He followed il Instantly
however, and blessed the glimmering dawn
Of light, that now came gray and sofi n
boye The eastern hills. lie net n shepherd
leading his flock To pasture upon the high
er grounds, aud questioned him regarding
Blanche. The n.au said, he had seen such
a lady aud her attendant, but that they Ind
pissed him quickly aud he warned the
Count de Fo,x to seek some shelter, as,
from the appearance of the dawn, he judg.
ed that there would be a storm ere tho day
was an hour old.
Frsncis of Folk spurred on, but he soor
found the shepherds warning true. Thu
lid Jii,dd rr.i with sharp, fierce gusts; bIuci
thunder pealed amongst the mountains; tb,
lightning flashed across the path; und
worst OF all, the hail came down, like stone,
hurled from some baticring engine, upon
the heads Of the travellers below. Still
Francis OF Folk rode on. Terror aud anx
ieiy took possession of his heart. Thoupl,
the men-at-arms could scarcely sit on their
horses for The wind and the hail though
the lightning made the chargers start and
rear as they Proceeded sill Francis Of Fol.
rode on, still he marked every object rs he
proceeded, still he gazed around ia search
Of some trace of her he loved.
Al length, cast in heap upon the path,
he found the pilgrims cloak in which he
had wrapped her I; few steps onward lay
dead the jennet on which she had been
mounted and, spurring on with frantic ea-
gerness, he drew not rein ill he belieId
liule Navarrese village, seated sweeily in a
rich wooded valley, surrounded on every
side by mighty mountains. The storm, by
thus time, had passed away; there was "a
look of hope aud cheerful existence in the
village before him; and, trusting tba,
Blanche might have found shelter there, he
rode on, aud questioned eagerly every one
he met with 10 the place. But Blanche Of
Navarro had not been heard Of; aud there
every race Of her ceased. In vain he sought
ia vain he seurchcd for her; no mark, no
.ign' no report Of he' passing could be
In vas, old Gothic hall, the pointed
vault Of which could scarcely bc seen by
the dim light which found its way ia ihro'
the narrow aud dusky wiudows, were rs
sembled the States Of Navarro, called sud
denly together in the city Of Fnmpelunn.--
The upper part Of the hall, raised few
steps above the rect, was filed with the
deputies of The States, arranged in n semi
circle before the people who crowded the
lower part of that wide, dim, and sbadowy
chamber Guards and attendants kept the
populsce from pressing up the steps; but,
from The throng, and from tho enger man
uer with which the people clupg round the
various pillars that supported the vide roof,
10 order 10 obtain u sight Of what was pas
sing, II was easy TO perceive that sonio e.
vent Of great interest was expected to take
matter Of deep moment was
about to be discussed.
Presiding over the States, covered by a
aud seated on bis throne, appear
ed the young King Of Navarro, with that
miasled expression Of passion and irreselu-
lion iu his countenance which spoke The
feebleness Of bis character. His brow
would now knit iDio an angry frpwn; his
white teeth would close over his under lip,
and his nosirils would expand; aud then,
sgaio, The fierce a.pcc, Of his countenancc
would relax, the lip would nemble, the
eye would roll vscsniIy over the populsce,
aud the brow would become smooth and
careless. On his rigb, stopd the Chancel-
lor ~ Navarro, with roll Of papers IN bis
hand aud on The left. several officers of
a = Ii.