Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-06-03


twelve miles in long perspective, at the end Of
which, lay the bridge by which alone they could
cross and the walls Of ST. Etienne.
For life for life but fainter grew the palfrey's
efforts, his leaps were shorter each one than the
last, his breathing groans were painful He roll.
ed too, at every Stride ard staggered, and, If not
upheld by the sure hand Of that splendid horsewo-
man, he must have fallen half an hour before.
But now the laundering clang Of their pursuer's
hoois and the fierce shouts, fast and frequent
on their ears; and at the same instant Raou saw
by a convulsiye shiver which through every
limb Of the poor paffeg that It's last race was run
Clear your foot from the stirrup, Blanche he
cried, and spring when catch YOU
And without sackenng his pace he threw his
reins loose, took his sword, which he had not found
time TO sheaihe. between his teeth aud linging his
right round her body, swung her, as she sprung
to meet him, across the saddle bow before him.
She was securely easily seated, with her arm
wound round his neck, in a moment. And it was
time for the next moment her horse fell, as il it
had been shot, and rolled over on its flank in the
death agony.
loud and prolonged shout from their pursuers
hailed this event a certain prognostic ofsuccess;
and in truth, though Raoul's Andalusian was
beast Of ten thousand, the double burden he now
bore, and the long distance he had ridden in hot
haste, even before that race began, told on him
earfuly and at every stride their pursucrs gained
on them.
They were now laundering along the road which
here ran close the river following its every
and winding; and they turned the salient angles
Of its course, they might mark the approach and
note the brandshed weapons of the pursuing mul.
titude.
There is but one hope for us, Blanche cried
Raoul, firmly, TO leap the river There is no
ford between this place and ST. Etenne my vet.
Grams guard the bridge; once over, all is safe
Speak, dearest, shall try itP
is there hope of clearing ii
Were ChHemugnc fresh from the stable, and |
alone in the saddle, there were a certainty
is there chance now 2
AS one TO five
AND the alternative
Encountered thus, in that torrent, inevitable
death
And otherwise we must be takenF
we must
Then try it, in Gods name Better thousand
times death with my own Raoul, than life with that
dastardp
My own brave Blanche =
Then he drew in his bridle and for ten minutes
breathed his steed, and held him in so hard that
the pursuers were scarcely fifty PAGES distant, and
shouted more near their triumph
Suddenly, turning his head right at tile raging
torrent. he sluckened his rein, dashed his spurs
roWcl ueep, ana WIN clear ana flnglng whOOp,
Raoul-sent Charlemagne at the wild river.
Just as his fore feet left the sand, he brough, his
keen blade edgewise down, cruel scourgel over
the good steed's quarter-wiih a shr cry, half
neigh, half shrek, the generous brute bounded
not eye looked on that leap. for instlnctiyely
they winked with awe, every heart stood still for
second.
II was won-they were over, and their very cue.
mics, astounded into admiration by the great dar-
ing of the deed, shouted applause, and waved their
hats on the further brink as they pulled up their
painting sieeds.
None dared to follow--for none there were low.
,ers.
An hour more, and St. Elienne was gained safe.
ly. The kings mandate was shown, aud ere a
week elapsed the hateful contract abrogaed,
Blanche gave her hand to Raonl, while the bells
rang for Joy in Notre Dame de Paris
Old Charlemagne had.a deep scar so long as he
lived on his right quarter; but how he priced
and cherished by that brave lord and lovely lady
he who had won more than their mortal bliss
But tell me, Raoul,' said Blanche, ere the dread
leap had long been taken-'Tell me Of Norraway,
the gallant Falcon-the bearer Of my letler-next
TO this good horse, my preserver
Poor Norraway,' replied Raoul, with sigh
Brave bird. He brought me the letter, but he
was dead ere had read line. lie dropped at my
feet with glazed eve and broken heart, true until
death
Alas! TO win us life" cried Blanche, but lie
shall have his monument and motto
And so he had and ia the garden of the ruined
Chateau Veniador the hawks grave is shown TO
this day, with this inscription on the sIone-'True
to death Norway