Plymouth advertiser. [volume] (Plymouth, Ohio) 1853-1988, 1854-06-10
The Rock of Sofia.

Upon the shores of the Mediterranean,
not far from the city of Nice, lay the rock
OF Solfl. Rising far on high its lofty
fortress crowned summit. and almost pre-
.cipiloul sides presented insuperable OBJ
stacIes TO all attacking foe. About lis
SUNNI the eagles had made them nests,
at lis base the waves of the sea dashed,
breaking with the noise of thunder and
casting he snow white foam wrathlully
upwards.
There is the fortress and rock of SOL
fla = said the old Count Wildebrand de
CIous Noir, TO the young knight Bertram
de MorceIli. as from the upper battle
ments of his castle he pointed 10 the tow
ering precipices.
'Solia That, then, is the great rob
Der hold of which have heard so much?'
1T is
'And The Tiger, as he calls himself,
cannot be dislodged.'
who the robber chief-The Tiger I?
No, never. From the lofty summit of
his rock he hurls defiance down on me and
all other surrounding mobiles. All our ef-
forts to dislodge him are entirely vain.
Can you not overpower him by num-
bers !!
mo-
why not p
How can numbers avail, when the mar
row pa h which leads to the SUNNI, is SO
exposed that rocks from above could crush
every man before he could arrive half
way up?
lit is so dangerous p
At is. Three or four men could pre-
vent an army from ascen ing
Then my prospects are not encourag-
ing
No, my young friend; but you know
int heart never won fair lady,
/ And | must lead the Tiger to the feet
of the lovely Matilda
Such are the conditions
"A hundred knights have thought so.
They hoped to win my daughter and my
broad estates by handsome figure. No,
, no. She, as well |, would scorn the man
who cannot earn her by bravery
I No, for your broad lands, Count Hill
debrand, but for your daughter do un'
= derlake this
i 4 believe YOU
you will find me resolved TO win he
: or die
a For that resolution, respect you
4 Have you in your vaults rich wines
| Count Hldebrand 2
AS much as army might need
' 'Can you spare me seven asses load
il Of the wine 2
y Seven asses loads ! OF course; bu
IN the name of the Holy Saints what d.
d you want of so much q
1T is necessary for my purpose
h IA ha! You are rather inclined t.
d seek after the vinous influence, are you
6 Well, that is laudable thing; but, by tn
toe of 81. Peter. seven asses loads woul
h kill the Spanish giant Mistolano.'
Is 'They are necessary to my purpose
+ If you will order them to be taken at tn
foo of the hill behind those trees, shal
l. be forever grateful
ID ut shall be done.'
Of sI.et the wine, noble Count, be of tn
ct strongest and Oldest in your cellars.
>, yes, ii shall be, promise you. Cor
!. rad, Jacques, Jean, ho! Load seven as
:, ses with with fourteen TASKS of the oldes
e vintage, and take them 10 the foot of tn
lie hill
rke servants ran to obey his orders.
y Count HAdebrand, be ready with a
or your retainers early to morrow morning
re Go to the foot of the rock. Be there sure
'g ly-at dawn. II you see my banner fl.
g ing then, hurry up. If not, then esteel
me dead
Old Hildebrand started in surprise.
y You are determined to finish yol
n business soon. But will do what yo
~ wish
And they left the battlement terrace.
~ Towards the close of the same da
ID seven asses laden with TASKS of win
ID ID walked slowly along the path, which II
~. to the rock of Sofia. A man who, by h
~ ~ long robes and bent form, might ha,
~ been taken for person of great age, Il
> them on their way. He was arrayed
monkish garments, long white bea
be flowing down his grdle. The cowl
he his cloak was pulled so as almost entire
1t. to conceal his face. AT times he cried o
he in feeble voice 10 his animals.
yle Suddenly as he led them towards shar
le; ly projecting rock. loud shout was hea
,rs when six or eight men, armed complet
RS. rushed from behind it, and stood befo
av him.
.rn Monk, where are you taking these al
mails 2
'Oh, your'loldship! Oh, your lordshiI
D." I'm
he None of your lamentations Wht
are you going7
ng ITO the monastery of Saint Simon
TO the monastery, and pray what m
the monks want of so much wine 2
,ol- 'For the Hlly-'
,ile Bah! Ho y indeed! Think the Fl
the soldiers Of the Tiger-the men of Sci
ARE in greater need of wine than all