The Iowa patriot. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1839-1839, 1839-07-11
60, the Knickerbocker of June, 1889.
~ THE ABENCERRAGE.
A SPANISH TALE.

f'0T THE al ABENCERRAGE.
A SPANISH TALE.
q. the summit of a craggy hill, a
,,ar Of the mountains Of Ronda, stands
r., Il castle Of Allora, now mere ruin, in-
"a by bats and owlets, but in old times
' ~ of the strong border holds of the
f Christians, to keep watch upon the FROM
s o,,I Of the warlike kingdom Of Granada,
~. md to hold the Moors in check. It was
, = most always confded to some we'll
..;l & commander; and, at the time Of
rl, we treat, was held by Rodrigo de
N,rvaez, a veteran, famed, both among
Moors and Christians, not only for his
hardy feats Of arms, but also for that
m,cnaniimous courtesy, which should
srer be entwined with the sterner virtues
efthe soldier.
The castle Of Allora was mere
mart Of his command; he was Alcayde,
Or military governor Of Antiquera, but he
oassed most Of his time at this frontier
most because its situation on the borders
ave more frequent opportunity for those
adventurous exploits which were the de-
Ight Of the Spanish chivalry. His gar
rison consisted Of fifty chosen cavaliers,
III we'll mounted: with these he KEEP,
vislant watch upon the Moslems; patrol
ling the roads, and paths, and defiles, Of
the mountains, so that nothing could es-
cape his eye; and now and then signaliz-
ins himself by some dashing foray into
,he very Vega Of Granada.
On a fair and beautiful night in sum
mer, when the freshness of the evening
brseze had tempered the heat Of day, the
worthy Alcayde' sailed forth, with nine
Of his cavaliers, to patrol the neighbor.
hood, and seek adventures. They rode
quietly and cautiously, lest they shoule
BE- overheard by Moorish scout or travel
Ter; and kept along ravines and hollow
ways, lest they should be betrayed by
the gittering Of the full moon upon their
amor. Coming to where the road divi
dad, the Alcayde directed five Of hi.
cavaliers to take one of the branches
while he, with the remaining four, woult
take the other. Should either party b
10 danger, the blast Of a horn was to- b
/ the signal to bring their comrades to thei
id,
The party Of five had not proceede
| ID, when, in passing through defle
areshang with trees, they heard the voic
"a man, singing. They Immediate,
concealed themselves in a grove, on tn
now Of :. declivity, up which the stran
| e, would have to ascend. The moon
Glght which left the grove in dee
shsdow, lit up the whole person of til
vayfarer, as he advanced, and enables
Them to distinguish his dress and appear
ance, with perfect accuracy. He wa
a Moorish cavalier, and his noble de
nsanor, graceful carriage, and splendi'
attire, showed him to be of lofty rank
He was superbly mounted, on dappl'
gsyy steed, Of powerful frame, and gene
ous spirit, and magniicently caparison
a. His dress was marlota, or tunic
and an Albernoz Of crimson damask
fnnged with gold. His Tunisian turban
many folds, was of silk aud cotton
snped, and bordered with golden fringe
At MS girdle hung a scimetar Of Damas.
GUS steel, with loops and tassels of silk
and gold. On lis left arm he bore al
'aple target, and his right hand graspea
| long double-poin'ed lance. Thus e
salpped, he sat negligently on his steed
some who dreamed Of no danger gazing
aa.he moon, and singing, with swee
ND voice, a Moorish love ditty.
'ust opposite the place where The
spanish cavaliers were concealed. was /:
'aal fountain in the rock, beside thu
%sa' 70 which the horse turned to drink
Y ilder threw the reins on his neck, ant
continued his song.
ihe Spanish cavaliers conferred to
ssael they were all 50 pleased viii
~ \. gallant and gentle appearance Of tn
soof' nat they resolved not to harm, bu
nsap'ure him, which, in his negligen
NV Promised to be an easy task
ssAlng, therefore, from their conceal
Il. ss @ey thought to surround and seiz.
n ~ Never were men more mistaken
NJ. = ge.ner up his reins, wheel round hi.
,n. MI ofsce his ,buckler, and couch hi.