Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-12-15
VOL. VII.--NO. 5.


back he awaited the Christians approach
sNh hat seek ye here p cried Ben Ha
med.
TO give thee a friendly joust,' returned
Charles; that is, if the lists be open to
me-
'Of course they are open, if you be
true knight said the king.
1 am true knight of Leon, and this
day shall prove it. though 1 may 90 down
before the lance of the alcade; yet if |
bear me at all before one whose proves
has been so well proved, you will know
me for knight
At the first part of this speech Ben
Hamed frowned, but at its close he look
ed upon the Christian with half scorn.
full expression as he jauntingly balanced
his lance in his hand.
go take your ground he said.
Shall it be with lance aud shield q
asked Charles.
Yes;
The count rode back to the paling
where Pedro was stationed, and took his
shield From one of the marshals he re-
celved round headed spear, and then
the trumpet sounded Charles of Leon
was habited the same as we saw upon the
road, and his appearance attracted the at
tentlon OF all His horse seemed eager
for the onset, and he pranccd in his instinc-
tive pride.
Again the heralds sounded the trum-
pet, aud Charles gave his stced the rein.
The Moor and the Christian met. Ben
Hamed sat like a rock in his saddle. while
the count was jostled, but he lost not his
balance. In an instead Charles saw and
understood the alcadc's subtle play
With movement So quick that it was al
most imperceptible, and one that must
have required long practice for its pcrfec.
tion the Moor had swung his spear head
across the eyes of his adversarys horse
with circular sweep before he brought it
to It's final poise but the Christian deter
mined that it should not be done again.
1t was with confident air that Ben
Hamed turned his horse for the second
Joust, and when the trumpet sounded, he
set boldly forward Again the riders met.
but Ben lIamed passed not. for the knight
of Icons lance head struck him full in
the throat and hurled him to the ground
There was low murmur ran around a
mong the spectators, and careful OBJ
server would have seen that there was
much satisfaction felt at the result of the
last joust; but the people dared not give
bolsterous speech to their feelings, for the
alcade was feared.
As Ben Hamed sprang to his feet. there
was fierce passion in his features, and for
a moment he was speechless But soon
he found his tongue. and seizing his horses
rein, he turned to Charles of Leon. and
throwing his shield upon the ground. he
shouted
Down with your lance and shield I'll
have at thee now with the cimeter. You
shall show your prowess to better advan-
tage ere | have done with thee
The sword is not weapon for joust
returned Charles. 1t is too dangerous
for sport
sHa, ha ! and is the Christian dog in
fear q
This was spoken by the exasperated
Moor IN loud, defiant, bitter tone, and
it sent the rich blood coursing quickly
through the Christians veins.
The Christian does not fear he re-
turned, in prond tone
Then draw your sword and throw away
all else, exclaimed the alcade, as he
mounted bis horse and drew his bright
cimeter
IF the king will hold me clear of the
consequences | will meet you
Ben Hamed, you had better give over
the trial, and go back to the lance said
the monarch.
No, no,-the sword it shall be p cried
the alcade.
Then the Christian knight shall be
free from all harm, save such as he meets
at the hands of his antagonist Let the
signal be given
The trumpet sounded, and Charles of
Leon drew his sword 1t was a keen
weapon. straight and double edged, with
the usual cross hilt The Moor met him.
and some dozen blows were exchanged
without effect; but at length Charles
wounded his antagonist on the shoulder
Ben Hamed saw that he had superior to
deal with. and he determined to ride him
down. To this end he drew in the reins.
and at a word his horse reared. and would
have struck his fore feet directly upon the
Christians body but Charles saw the
movement. and he not only avoided it, but
he took advantage Of it. His own horse
"aS wen tIdlucu, anu DC ufduS the OODtc
animal perform leap that set the Moor at
fault AS Ben Hameds horse was reared
proudly upon his hind legs, the horse of
the Christian sprang quickly against his
haunch, and both Moor and beast went
tumbling upon the ground.
With a fearful oath Ben Hamcd sprang
to his feet, and placing one foot upon the
PROSTATE body of lis horse. he struck fu
rlously at the Christian; bu. Charles of
Leon soon ended the conflict for with
blow that seemed like the ligh.ning's leap
he struck tie upraised blade of the Moors
cimeter near the hilt and broke it in
twain
The shouts of the multitude could be
no longer restrained, and as they broke
upon the air, the alcade was utterly over
come by the rage and modification that
Dad seized him. His horse was SO much
sprained that it was with difficulty the an
inal conld be set upon his feet, and then
the beast limped away from the lists