The Yazoo City Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 183?-1840, 1839-08-23

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frame, and generous spirit, and magnificent
II caparisoned. His dress was a marlota,
or tunic, and an Albernoz of crimson dam
ask, fringed with gold. His Tunissian tur-
ban, of many folds, was of silk and cotton
stripped, and bordered with golden fringe.
At his girdle hung scimeter 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 a long double
pointed lance. Thus equipped he sat neg
ligenhY on his steed as one who dreamed
i of no danger, gazing on the moon, and
singing, with sweet and manly voice, a
Moorish love ditty.
Just opposite the place whore the Spanish
cavaliers were concealed, was small foun-
tain in the rock, beside the read, to which
the horse turned to 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
land gentle appearance Of the Moor, that
they resolved not to harm, but to capture
him, which, in bis negligent mood, promised
to be an easy task; rushing, therefore, from
their concealment, they thought to surround
and seize him. Never were men more mis-
taken. To gather up his reins, wheel round
his steed, brace his buckler, and couch his
lance, was the work of an instant; and there
he sat, fixed like castle in his saddle, be-
side the fountain.
The Christian cavaliers checked their
steeds, and accommodated him YEARLY, 10th
to come to an encounter which must end in
his destruction.
The Moor now held parley: " IF you
be true knights" said he, Sand seek for
honorable 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 worstm
The cavaliers communed for moment
apart, when one, advancing singly, exclaim-
ed, "Although no law of chivalry obliges us
to risk the loss of prize, when clearly in
our pOwoT, 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
latter met him in mid careers, transported
him with his lance, and threw him from his
saddle. A second and third succeeded,
but were endorsed with equal facility, and
thrown to the earth, severely Wounded.-I
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 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 dex-
ferrous movements, for which the Moorish
horsemen are renowned; passed swiftly be-
tween 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 if Just issued from his tent, one of the
cavaliers put his lips to his horn, and blew
blast, that soon brought the Acayde and
his four companions to the spot
The valiant NarVez, 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 his follow
ers to desist, and addressed the Moor with
courteous words, invited him to. a more equal |
combat. The latter readily accepted the |
challange. 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 fight
ing, and by loss of blood. He no longer
sat upon his horse firmly, nor managed him
with his wonted skill. Collecting all his
strength for last assault, he rose in his stir-
rups, and made violent thurst 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, s'caVa-
Iier,D he exclaimed. "render thyself my
prisoner, for thy life is in my hands,"
ssKill me, rather replied the Moor, 'for
death would he less grieYious than loss of
liberty"
The Alcayde, however, with the clemency
Of the truly brave, assisted the Moor to
rise, ministered 70 his wounds with his own
hands, and had him conveyed with great
care to the castle Of AllOra. His wounds
were slight, and in 4 few days were nearly |
cured; but the deepest wound had been
inflicted on his spirit. He was constantly !.
buried in profound melancholy.
The Aicayde, who bad conceived 9 great
regard for him, treated him more as friend
than captive, and tried in every way tol
cheer him, but IN vain; he was always sad
and moody, and, on The battlements Of theI
castle, would keep his eyes turned to thel
South, with fixed and wistful gaze.
ssI1ow IS this?'' exclaimed the Alcayde,I