The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-03-20
SELECTED TALES.
BLANCHE OF NAVARRO.
TALE, ILLUSTRATING THE PASSION OF LOVE.
BY G. p. r. JAMES.
IConiinuedl

[Cominuedl
Round an old fountain, crowned witt,
rude stonework, tue waters of which had
been drank by many passing genera
tiou, stood u number of horses aud armed
men; and ON light and easy jennet-
with a heart beating like that of fluttered
girl, ns he raised her for the first time in
his arms, Francis Of Folk placed Blanche
of Navarro, saying" Thou art fearless
horse-wOman, Il know, dear Blanche
should we be pursued, aud be obliged to
turn TO defend The pass, ride on with thy
maiden, and one Of my old and faithful
followers, To whom ] will give thee in
charge. Fear not that ! will do ought
rasbly ] will give thee but time to escape,
and then follow with what speed I may,
Long ere be obliged to pause, however,
we shall have cume up with my brave mem
alarms: with whom would defend these
gorges against the world.
All were sson mounted and, guided by
one who knew the country well, they rod,
quickly down into the valley. But just n
they gained the higi, road which led on to.
wnTd France, they caught sight of a lorg.
body Of morse, ucscc"u'''S s"Sss~sr -
" from the castle, with their dark masses,
bristled with pennon and with spear, cut
ting strong upon Tho noonlit sky. The
Coun, de Folk turned to his guide to con-
suit.
"How far is it," he asked, "to where
the two roads join Z"
Some quarter of league" replied the
man.
"And yon road to the righ, ?" asked the
count.
"It leads into the valley Of Bus,an," !"
was the reply.
"That is guarded, know" said Francis
Of Folk 1--WE must gailop on MS quickly
as may be-"
They urged their horses into full speed
along the ,nouatuin road, aud reached the
poiat where the highway from the castle
joined the path they followed; /; but they
reached it only few moments before The
body Of horsemen from above. The fugi-
iives were concealed, it is true, by the wide
cork-irees that spread along The slope but
The sound Of their horses feet, while gallop-
ing, had not escaped those who followed /;
and BluDche was near enough to hear the
orders given for quickening the progress of
the pursuers. Ii now became flight aud
"a chase; bu, the horses of tho Lord of Folk
were swifier than those that came after,
though not, perhaps, so strong; aud, for
nearly an hour, they hurried on with head
long speed, I'LL at length they came to n
spot where the road seemed cloven through
the solid rock and, for some hundred yards
or more, u gigantic wall Of gray marble
7 al, hut fnr
rent, dashing its foamy way along, between
the road aud the rock.
Francis of Folk was by the side of her
he loved and ns they entered that gloomy
pass, he said, =" Here must make my
stand Ride on, dear Blanche ride oo,
my beloved and fear not for me. go To
lay my lance in rest for Bluncbe Of Nav
ARE And, with that sweet name for my
batilc-cry, would maintain this pass "a
gain.t the ficnd himself. Ride on, my be-
loved ride on and, If you meet my men
at-Hrms, send them down to my assistance"
She obcyed ut once aud turning round,
he drew up his men acrsss the pass. Quick
upon their steps came the prrsucrs; and
when, by the moonlight they saw how well
The narrow way was defended, the word
was given for them to level their spears
aud hurled on, like a ibunderbol,, sgainsI
the small band Of tbe Count De Folk, they
sirove TO cleave their way through by one
vehement charge. But j, was in vain they
made the attempt; Francis of Folk had
snaiched lance from the hand Of one Of
his followers, and, in that narrow uliyard.
met The leader Of tie Navsrresc spear To
spear. The Spauinrd went down at once
before his lance, and was borne backward
from bis horse, Happy il Was for bin that
so j, befrll him i; for the charger, freed from
the rein, dashed forward, uiirsed its fooiSg,
aud ruled in,o the s,reau.
Driven back with loss, twc &c their front
rank killed, aud several woundusl again
aud again the Na,nrrc.e returned 10 the
ehafgr. No words were spoken, 10 qne'-