Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1854-01-12


could hear how quick they were.
They are upon US 7 uttered Zebra -
y! Heaven save us .
There's hope yet. dearest. cried Charles
assuming cheerful tone If We can but
hold out few minutes longer. lean SEQ
the rocky crags now. 'On, on, Zebra -
0, there's hope yet
Heaven defend me ?
Heaven will aid me, and I will defend
you. Fear not while this arm holds its
strength
And if that arm should fail O. that
would be more dreadful STILL
! Zebra spoke again, but the clatter of
the horses hoofs drowned her voice.
On! on J One push more p shouted
Pedo. from behind
That push was given, and the reekinr
horses entered the pass 1t was a mar.
row detile, not over six feet wide. Hapked
on either side by high and almost perpen-
dicular cliffs, and some hundred feet long
1t was natural notch through spur of
the Apujarras, and passage other than
this could not be made except by going
SIX miles further to the westward The
moment that Charles cleared the pass he
reined up his horse and stopped
Pedro he said, push on with Zebra ;
And you. sir Charles uttered the
esquire, as he pulled in his horse.
l will stop and cut off the pursuit
Go, now
But l must remain by your side
No: no. In Gods name | order YOU
to push on l can hold them at BAY till
you have escaped. On on /! Keep the
road to Saint Lorenzo, and will overtakc
you. Not another word Go. now =
Fear not for me, Zebra. Ny love for
you shall keep me whole. Go with my
man, and | will see you again
But this is
On, Pedro, and obey me I shouted the
knight, in tone that was not to be disc
beyed. They are already upon us. Ia
Gods name, on. If fall, YOU will know
what to do but I will not fall. Sink
your rowels deeply in
1t was with a dubious look that Pedro
obeyed, but be knew there was no time
Tor further reply, and he set off
God bless youl uttered Charles as he
pressed the hand of Zebra to his lips
| I'Ihere-now follow my esquire
| AS the maiden's horse dashed of. the
The knight loosened his shield from its
rest, and tLen drawing his trusty sword
he started back into the narrow notch
On came the Moors, but only two could
enter abreast, and even at that they were
rather pinched for want of room.
'Out Of the way = cried voice, which
Charles at once recognized as the alcaldes.
Back, or Iii ride you down
QUILL ride down dead man. then.
| returned the knight
Charles of Leon, by Allah 7 exclaimed
Ben Hamed This for thy carcass
Christian dog
Charles slightly backed as the alealde
came furlously on, and the latter received
the worst of the shock The Christian
caught the blow of the sword that was
aimed at him upon his shield, while his
own had only been thrust straight for
ward, SO that Ben Hamed received its
point In his side without seeing it, The
shock, the glancing of his own weapon
from the Christians shield and the deep
wound IN the side. were sufficient to throw
the alcalde upon the ground, while Charles
allowed the riderless horse to dash on by
him
).
for Ben Hamed had but four followers
but it made but little difference, for only
two could come forward at time, and
even then at disadvantage At the
present moment the Moors were puzzled.
for their leader lay directly in their way
Ben Hamed soon gained his feet but it
was only to be knocked down by the horse
of one Of his own men. He fell upon one
side Of the pass, however, and the fore
most Moor pushed by him. 1t was not
very light in the notch, but yet things
could be distinctly seen in outline, aud
the Chrsitian was prepared for the onset
tie met the coming Moor, and at the
fourth pass his sword found the Moslem's
bosom
Two of the Moors had dismounted and
were dragging their leader out from the
pass, while the remaining one saw his
companion fall, and then sprang forward
to avenge him. Thus did Charles of Le-
on take his enemies one at time and
those who knew him would not have Won
dered that he conquered. His present
opposer held him smart fight, but his
good sword failed him not, and ere long
the second Moslcm lay dead upon the cold.
rocky path.
The most severe trial was vet to come
for no sooner had the two Moors seen
Ben Hamed safe at the other end of the
pass, than they sprang back into their
saddles and made at the Christian
Give way, dog cried one of them
Not while | live,' returned Charles.
Charles of Leon received both Of their
blows without harm-one upon his shield
and the other upon his mailed shoulder
The Christian had one advantage his
triple mail shielded him against all slash
ing, cutting blows, while his opponents
wore only single breastplates. The clang
of swords was sharp and fierce once the
Christian got prick in the right thigh.
but the man that gave him the thrust fell
from his horse Oh the next moment, with
his head hale severed from his body
The remaining Moor soon cried for
quarter, and Charles let his point fall
Back: then, the Christian cried. Let
fall your sword
The Moslem dropped bis weapon and