Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1854-01-12
CHAPTER X.
THE FLIGHT AND THE BATTLE.

CHAPTER Y
THE FLIoHr AND THE BATTLE
OK the next morning Charles of Leon
walked out towards the river Xenil, where
he knew there were large pastures, for the
purpose of seeking horse In the sub
urbs OF the city he found plenty of horse
dealers, and ere long he was in full tide OF
barter He found a horse that suited him
exactly The animal was an Arabian, del
lcately built, but yet strong and enduring
OF muscle. He was of q grayish color
rather lighter than ordinary for such a
color: however; and having tried his speed
Charles determined to buy him The
price was exorbitant, but the knight was
soon satisfied that the owner meant lust
what he said, SO he drew forth his purse
and counted out the sum-
Charles sprang upon the back of his new
purchase and rs he rode back to the city
Le felt perfectly satisfied with his bar
gain. The animal was kind and easv to
manage. and he betrayed no dislike to his
change of masters
The horses were now ready; Charles
had matured in his own mind the plans
he was to follow, and the hours dragged
slowly. heavily away while he waited for
the moment that was to place Zebra in his
possession.
! 1t was dark night-dark because it
was moonless-but yet not dark enough
to be gloomy, for there were stars peeping
down upon the earth Charles of Leon
and his esquire rode out from the city to
the northward, and at suitable place
where grew thick grove of oaks, they
fastened their horses, Pedro having led
the third horse by the bride. The knight
was dressed in his full armor of mail and
Pedro was likewise armed as if for battle
After the horses were secured. Charles
and his companion started off on foot, and
having retraced their steps distance of
some fifty rods, they turned from the road
and took the way towards grove that lay
at the foot of gentle hill Here they
stopped to await the coming of Zebra, for
ii was here that she had agreed to meet
her lover. 1t had been her own choice that
he should not come to Ben Hamed's gar
den for there was danger in such course.
and it could have been no aid to her
While the knight was thus waiting the
gentle Zebra was preparing to meet him.
A watch had been set upon her move
ments, but she had contrived to outwt her
guardian. One of the alcalde's female
slaves had been placed to overlook Zebra S
motions, but the simple creature now lay
as quiet as an infant beneath the effects
OF strong sleeping portion, and her young
mistress had nothing to fear from her
Such trinkets as the fair girl wished to
retain she had secured, and the iewellcd
cruci6x she had hung about her neck BY
the small golden chain that was attached
to it. A strong cord she had made Of her
useless garments, and by this she easily
let herself down from her window into the
garden below After she was safe upon
the ground, she waited a single moment
to assure herself that no one was moving
near her, and then drawing her mantle up
over her head, she glided swiftly away
With rapid steps Zebra fastened on
The garden wall offered her no impedi-
ment, and she was soon flying along
through the gloom far beyond Ben Hamed' S
grounds. She thought not of the danger
she was to meet, but she only thought of
the misery she was leaving behind. If
she had fear, it was that she might not
find her lover at his post; but this was
soon set at rest for as she drew near the
grove where she had promised to meet him.
she heard her name pronounced by voice
she could not mistake.
Zebra
1t is Zebra returned the fugitive, as
she sank into the knights arms.
God be praised You are not weak,
dearest p
No, mo- am strong
Then let us hasten Lead the way,
Pedro, and have the horses ready
As the knight spoke he drew the arm of
Zebra within his own, and FASTENED on to
the spot where the horses had been left
| You do not regret this ster 2 he whis-
pered, as he gained the road
No-I am happy
'You shall always be So
And you shall make me so, said Zebra
Yes, fair girl-ever O, there's Joy
for you in Leon. You shall find friends
there you know not of This heart of
niue opened for you when first | saw you,
but | knew not then how much | might
love you-I knew not then how near, as
well as dear, you were
Near p repeated Zebra.
Yes There's no Moorish blood in
your veins
%, | am sure there is not
Nor is the Moslem's kingdom your
home. said Charles.
Do you know whence | came2 Do you
know where my home of birth is q
Yes. In Leon. Come-here are the
horses
We must make all haste said Pedro,
as he led out the horse his master had
bought for Zebra, for in less than an hour
the moon will be up
And that time shall place US far from
here returned Charles. Come Zebra.
let me assist you to your seat The ami
NAL have procured is kind, and if neces-
sity calls he can be feet of foot. There,
sit firmly in your place, now, and draw the
rein without fear
I shall not fail returned The fair girl
as she pressed her foot firmly into the stir
rup. The prize to be won will give me
new strength
You, Pedro, will ride behind said the
knirb. as he vaultad into his saddla. sand