Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-02-25
From the knickcrbocker
fciayO and The Merchants
Daughter.


1t IS the common lamen,aion of Spanish
hlstoriographcrs that, Tor an obscure and mel
anchoiiy space Of time Immediately succeed
ing me conquest of tleir country by the Mos
ie'iis, us history is mere wilderness of dubi-
oNs ldc's' groundless fables, and rash exag-
geralons. Learned men, in cells and clois-
tiers, have worn ont their lives in vainly en-
deaNonng TO connect inconpruous events. and
10 account Tor startling improbilities recorded
OF TINS period. The worthy Jesuit, Padre A.
barca, declares thot for more MN FORTY wears.
during which he had been employed in theo-
logical controversies, he had never found any
so obscure and inexplicablc as those which
rise out of this portion of Spanish history, and
that the only fruit o an indefatigable prolix.
and even prodigous study of the subject, was
melancholy and notifying state Of indecis-
ion.S
During this apochryph7l period, fourishod
Pelayo, the d, lverer of Spain, whose name
like that of William Wallace, will ever be
linked, IN like manner, by bond in which
fact and fiction are inextrlcably interviewer.
The quaint old chronicler Of the Moor Ras-
Is, which, though wild and fanciul in the OK
tfemc, IS frequently drawn upon for early facts
by Spanish historians, Processes TO give the
BIRTH parentage, and whole course of fortune
OF Peayo without the least doubt or hcsita-
ton. 1t makes him son of the Duke of Can
tanbria, and descended, both by father and
mothers side. from the Gothic kings OF Spain
| sh Ill pass over the romantic story OF MS
childhood, and shall content myself with
scene OF ms youth. which was passed in cas-
tie among the Pyrenees, under the eve of his
widowed and undetermined mother, who caus-
ed hun TO be instructed in every thing benefit
ing a cavalier OF gentle. birth While the sons
OF the nobility were reteliing amid the pleas
ures OF hcentous court, and sunk in that
vicious and eilemnate indulgence which led
to the perdltlon et unhappy spain, the youth
ful felayo, In his rugged mountain school, was
steeled 10 all kinds of hardy exercises. A
great part OF his time was spent in hunting the
bears, the wild boars, and the wolves, with
which the Pyrenees abounded and so pure
ly and ciiasely was he brought up by his good
lady mother, that, il the ancient chrUnicler.
from whom draw my facts may be relied on,
he had alta ned his one-and- twentieth wear.
without having once sighed for woman.
Nor were ms hardy contests confined TO the
wild beasts OF the fi,ros,. Occasionally lie had
10 contend with adVcrsarias nj a .nara i...,..-
ddble character. The skirts and defiles Of
these border mountains were often infested
by marauderS from the Gallo plains otGasco-
ny. The Gascons, says an old chronicler
were people who used smooth words when
eXpedient, but force when they had power and
were ready TO lay their hands on every thing
they met. Though poor, they were proud
Tor there was not one who did not pride him
sell on being hjaldulgo or son of somebo-
dy
At the head of band of these nee1v bilal.
Jagos OF Gascony, was one Aarnaud. brok-
en-down cavalier. He and four of his follow
/ ers were well armed and mounted the rest
were set of scamper-grounds on foot, fur
nsIed with darts and javelins They were the
terror OF the border here to-day and gone to-
morrow; sometimes in one pass, sometimes in
another. They would make sudden inroads
/ into Spain, scour the roads, plumber the coun-
! try, and were over the mountains aid far a
way, before force could be collected to pur-
sue them.
Now it happened one day, that wealthy
burgher of Bordeaux, who was merchant,
trading with Biscay, set out on a journey for
that province. As he intended TO sojourn
there season, he took with him his wife who
was goody dame, and his daughter, gen
tie damsel oi manageable age and exceeding
ly fair 10 look upon He was attended by
trusty clerk from his compton, and a mlnser-
want while another man servant lc1a hack
ncy, laden with bags OF money, with which he
intended TO purchase merchandise.
When the Gascons heard OF this wealthy
merchant and his convoy passing through the
mountains, they thanked their stats, for they
considered all peaceful men of traffic as law
ful spoil, sent 10y Providence for the benefit Of
hilllIalgos ike themselves, of yalor of gentle
blood, who lived by the sword Placing them
golro ia afs,t ,ai., -, lss'Sty sisais- ~ sFnich
the travellers had TO pass, they siie.iy await
ed their coming. In a little while they behelt
them approaching. The merchant was fur
porly man, in a buff surcoat and velvet cap.
His looks bespoke the good cheer of his ma
tive city, and he was mounted on a stately,
well fel stael, while his wife AMI daughter
paced gently on pllireys by his side.
The travellers had advanced some distance
in the detile, when the Bandoleros rushed forth
and assailed thom. The merchant, though but
little used to the exercise of arms, and IN
wielly in lis FORM yet made valiant defence,
having his wife and daughter and money-bags
al hazard lie was wounded in two places,
and oyerpowered, one Of his servants was
slain and the other took 10 Eight.
The frecbooters then began to ranslck for
spoil, bat were disappointed at not finding the
wealth they had expected Putting ihcirswords
10 the breast Of the trembling merchant, they
demanded where he ha concealed his treas
ure and learned from him of the hackney that
was following. laden with money Oyeuoy-
ed al this intelligence, they bound their cap
lives 20 trees, and awaited the arrival Of the
golden spoil.
On this same day Pelayo was ont with his
huntsmen among the mountains, anu had TAX
en- his stand on a rock al a narrow pass % a.
wait the salyiug forth ola wild boar Close
by him was a page, conducting horse and az
the saddle-bow hung his armor, Tor ne always