The Iowa patriot. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1839-1839, 1839-07-11

Il
refuse as a right. Valiant Moor! defend,
| myself 2
So saying, he wheeled, took proper
distance, couched his lance, and putting
spurs to his horse, made at the stranger
The latter met him in mid career, trans
pierced 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 remain
ing 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
shock and confusion, dropped his lance
thus disarmed, 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
dexterous movements for which the Moor.
lsh horsemen 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. i
Seeing him thus fresh for the encoun-
ter, as if just issued from his tent, one
of the cavaliers put his lips to his horn,
and blew blast, that soon brought the
Alcayde and his four companions to the
spot. . 4ls III
The valiant Narvaez, seeing three Of
his cavaliers extended on the, earth, and
two others hotly engaged with the Moor,
was struck with admiration, and coveted
a contest with so accomplished warrior.
Interfering In the fight, he called upon
his followers to desist, and addressing
the Moor, with courteous words, invited
him to more equal combat. The latter
readily accepted the challenge. For
some time, their contest was fierce and
doubtful. and the Alcayde had need of all
his skill and strength to ward off the.
blows Of his antagonist. The Moor,
however, was exhausted by previous
fighting, and by loss of blood. He no
longer sat on his horse firmly, nor manag-
ed him with his wonted skill. Collecting
all his strength for last assault, he rose
in his stirrnps, and made a 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 to the earth:
when putting his knee upon his breast,
and his dagger to his throat, Cavalier
exclaimed he, render myself my prison.
er, for thy life is in my hands = Z. "
Kill me, rather replied the Moor,
for death would be less grievous than
loss of liberty
! The Alcayde, however, with the Glenn
}, iency of the truly brave. assisted the
Moor to rise, ministered to his wounds
with his own hands, and had him con.
veyed with great care to the castle Of AL
lora. His wounds were slight, and in a
few days were nearly cured /; but the
deepest wound had been inflicted on his
spirit. He was constantly buried in a
profound melancholy. @
The Alcayde, who had conceived a
great regard for him, treated him more as
a friend than captive, and tried in every
way to cheer him, but in vain; he was
always sad and moody, and, when on the
battlements of the castle, would keep his
eyes turned to the south, with a fixed
and wistful gaze. ss
i How is this!' exclaimed the Alcayde,
reproachfully. that you. who were SO
hardy and fearless in the field, should lose
all spirit in prison? If any secret grief
preys on your heart, confde it to me, as
to friend, and promise you, on the
faith Of cavalier, that you shall have no
cause to repent the disclosure.
/ The Moorish knight kissed the hand
of the Alcayde. Noble CAVALIER said
he, that am cast down in spirit, is not
from my wounds, which are slight, nor
from my captivity, for your kindness has
robbed it Of all gloom; nor from my de-
feat, for to be conquered by SO accom-
plished and renowned cavalier is no
disgrace. But to explain to you the
cause of my grief, it is necessary to give
you some particulars Of my story; and
this | am moved to do, by the great sym
pathy you have manifested toward me,
and the magnanimity that shines through
all your actions Fl
/ Know, then, that my name is Aben-
i daraez, and that | am Of the noble but
unfortunate line Of the Abencerrages of
Granada. You have doubtless heard of
the destruction that fell upon our race.
j Charged with reasonable designs, OF
which they were entirely innocent, many
|'of them were beheaded, the rest Danish
led; SO that not an Abencerrage was per-
mitted foreman in Granada, except my