Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-09-20

of the old soldier, and ordered that the stip-
ulatlons OF the treaty should be faithfully
performed. Nay, so high an opinion did he
conceive of the subtitle wisdom of this COM
mander, that he permitted him TO remain in
authority over the surrounding country, on
his acknowledging allegiance and engaging
to pay tribute to the calph; and all that part
of Spain, comprising the beautiful provinces
Of Murcia and Valencia, was long after
known by the Arabic name of its defender,
and is still recorded in Arabian chronicles as
The land of Tadnir'
Having succeeded in subduing this rich
and fruitful region, and having gained great
renown for his generosity, as well as valor,
Abdalasis returned with the chief part of his
army to the city of Seville.
When Muza Ben Nozicr had sent his son
Abdalasis to snbdnc Seville, he departed for
Toledo, to call Tarc to account for his dis
obedience to his orders for amidst all his
own successes, the prosperous career of that
commander preyed upon his mind. What
can content the Jealous and ambitions heart
AS Muza passed through the land, towns and
cities submitted to him without resistance I;
he was lost in wonder at the riches of the
country, and the noble monuments of art
with which it was adorned: and when he
beheld the bridges constructed in ancient
times by the Romans, they seemed to HIM
the work, not Of men, but of geni Yet all
these admirable objects only made him re-
pine the more, that he had not the exclusive
glory of invading and suhduing the land :
and exaspcrated him the more against Tar
ic, for having apparently endcavored to mo-
nopolize the conquest.
Taric heard of his approach, and came
forth TO meet him at Talavcra, accompanied
by many of the most distinguished compan-
IONS of his victories, and with train of hor-
SEES and mules laden with spoils, with which
he trusted to propiiate the favor of his com
mander. Their meeting took place on the
banks Of the rapid river Tieiar, which rises
/ in the mountains Of Placcncia, and throws
itself into the Tagns. Mnza, in former days
while Taric had acted as his subordinate
and interchangeable officer, had cherished and
considered him as a second self; but now
that he had started up to be "A rival, he could
not conceal his jealousy. When the vete-
ran came into his presence, he regarded him
for moment with "A stern and indignant as
pect. Why hast thou disobcycd my or
ders :! said he. : commanded thee to await
my arrival with reiniorcements, but thou
hast ras'ly ovcrrun the country, endanger-
: ing the loss Of our armies and the ruin of oul
cause
Il have acted replied Taric, in sucl
manner as thought would best serve the
cause OF Islam and in so doing thought
to fulfil the wishes of Muzn. Whatever i
have done has been as your servant. Be-
hold your share, as commandment chief, oil
the spols which have collected SO say
: ing, he produced an immense treasure in sill
yer and gold, and costly slulis, and precious
stones, and spread it before Muza.
The anger Of the Arab commander was
still more kinllcd at the sigh, of his booty,
for it proved how splendid had been the vic
tories of Taric; but he restrained his wrath
for the present, and they proceeded together
IN moody silence to Toledo When he en-
tered this royal city, however, and assembled
to the ancient palace Of the Gothic kings,
and reflected that all this had been "a scene
OF triumph to his rival, he could no longer
repreSs his Indignation. He demanded of
Tarlc strict account of all the riches he had
gathered in Spain, even of he presents he
had reserved for the calph and, above all,
he made him yield up his favorite trophy
the talIsmanic table of Solomon. When all
this was done, he again upbraided him bit
,erly with his dlsobedicnce of orders, and
with the rashness of his conduct. 'Whar
blind confidence in fortune hast thou shown,
said he, overrunning such country, and
assaillng such powerful cities with thy scant>
force !! What madness, to venture every
thing upon desperate chance, when thou
knewest was coming with force to make
the victory secure All thy success has
been owing to mere luck, not to Judgment
or generaship.'
He then bestowed high praises upon the
other chieilans for their services in the cause
of Islam; but they answered not word
and their counenances were gloomy and
discontinued, for they felt the in uslice
done to their favorite leader. As to Tar
ic, though his eye burned like fire, he
kept his passion within bounds. | have
done the best could to serve God and the
caliph,' said he, empha,ically my con
science aclnils me, and trust my sovereign
will do the same
Perhaps he nay replied Muza, bitterly
but In the mean time, cannot confide his
interests to "A desperate, who is needless OF
orders and throws every thing at hazard
Such general is unworthy to be entrusted
with the fate of armies
So saying, he Invested Taric of his COM
mand and gave it to Magned the reeenado.
The gaunt Taric still maintained an air of
stern composure. His only words were,
The caliph will do me JUSTICE Muza was
so transported with passion at this laconic
defiance, that he ordered him to be thrown
into prison, and even threatened his life.
Upon this Magued ell RUM, though he
had risen by the disgrace of Taric. had the
generosity TO speak out warmly in his favor.
Consider said he to Muza, what may be
the consequences of this severity. Taric
has many friends IN the army; lis actions,
too, have been signal and illustrious, and en-
title him to the highest honors and rewards,
instead of disgrace and imprisonment