Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-11-11

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of an instant; and there he sat, fixed like
castle in his saddle, beside the fountain.
The christian cavaliers checked their
steeds, and reconoitcred him warily, 10th
to come to an encounter, which must end
in his destruction.
The Moor now held parley. "lf you
be true knights" said he, sand seek Tor
honorable fame, come on, singly, and am
ready to meet each in succession; but IT
you be mere lurkers of the road, intent on
spoil, come all at once, and do your worst!"
The cavaliers communed for moment
apart, when one, advancing singly, ex-
claimed, "Although no law of chivalry
'obliges US 10 risk the loss Of prize, when
clearly in our power, yet we willingly
grant, as right. Valiant Moor! defend
thysell"
So saying, he wheeled, took proper
distance, couched his larce, 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
a third succeeded, but were endorsed with
equal facility, and thrown to the earth
severely wounded. The remaining two,
seeing their comraders thus roughly treat
ed, forgot al! 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 10
the shock and confusion, dropped his lance.
Thus dsarmed, and closely pressed, he
pretended TO fly, and was hotly pursued.
Having drawn the two cavaliers some dis,
lance from the spot, he suddenly wheeled
short about, with one of those dexterous
movements for which the Moorish horse
men we're renowned, passed swiftly be
tween them, swung himself down from
his saddle, so as 10 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
cavalle put his lips 10 his horn, and blew
a blast, that soon brought the Alcayde
and his four companions to the spot.
The valiant Narvaez, seeing three of
his cavaliers extended upon the earth, and
two others holly engaged with the Moor,
was struck with admiration, and coveted
n contest with so accomplished a warrior.
Interfering in the fight, he called upon his
followers TO desist, and addressing the
Moor with courteous words, invited him to
a 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 an
tagonist. The Moor, however, was ex-
hausted from previous fighting, and by
loss of blood. He no longer sal his horse
firmly, nor managed him with his wonted
skill. Collecting al his strength for alast
assault, he rose in his sturrups, and made
a violent thrust with his llnce. The Al.
cayde received 1t 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 thyself my prisoner
for thy life is in nv hands,"
"Kil me, ratferw replied the Moor.
"for death would be less grievous than loss
of liberty"
The Alcayde, however, with the elem.
ency of the truly brave, assisted the Moor,
to rise, ministered to his wounds with
his own hands, and had him con-
veycd with great care to the castle OF
Alora. His wounds were slight, and in
few days were nearly cured; but the deepest
wound had been inflicted on his spirit. He
was constantly buried in a profound mel
ancholy.
The Alcayde, who had conceived a great
regard for him, treated him more as
friend than a captive, and tried in every
way to cheer him, but in vain: he was al
ways sad and moody, and when on the
battlements of the castle, would keep his
ewes turned to the south with fixed and
wistful gaze.
allow is this" exclaimed the Alcayde
reproachiully, "that you, who were SO
hardy and fearless in the field, should lose
all spirits in prison7 If any secret grief
preys on your heart, conide it to me, as
to friend, and | promise you, on the faith
Of cavalier, tina: you shall have no cause
to repent the disclosure"
The Moorish knight kissed the hand OF
the Alcayde. "Nobie cavalier" said he,
shat am cast down in spirit, is not from
my wounds, which are slight, nor from my
captivity, tor your kindness has robbed 1t
of all the gloom, nor from my defeat, for
10 be conquered by So accomplished and
renowned cavalier is no disgrace. But
10 explain to you the cause OF my grit, 1t
is necessary to give you some particulars
Of my story, and this am moved to do, BY