Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1854-02-02
tians disappeared the messenger came to
himself only to find himself worse off than
bef,re
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE DEATH DUNGEON.

CHAPTER XVIII.
THE DEATH pUxeHox
CHARLES OF LEON found himself in pos
session of good horse, but it was eviden,
ere long that the beast had been hardly
ridden Of late, for be labored hard in trav-
ell The horse that Pedro had taken was
not of the best quality, but probably the
best one that could have been obtained of
Selim.
San Dominic, my MASTER uttered Pc
dro, as he applied the whip to the side of
his beast, ''tis we'll we have no pursuers
very near our heels
I True but yet we are likely to have
returned the knight
1 would give much to know at what
time our escape was discovered, said the
esquire. If not until this morning, We
may yet be safe, for that messenger is of
course from Ell Ajo, and him we have cut
Off There is, l think, another signal sta
ton -at Jaen, but from there we shall have
no trouble
perhaps my absence was discovered
last night
If that is the case we may look for
trouble. San Jago, sir Charl es, we must
have better horses
'We must make the most of these for the
present. Don't spare the LASH
'I'll not spare it, but my horse don't
notice it much. He's used to it, should
judge
The Christians had now entered tract
of country that had few ha5itants. and
there was no such thing as turning from
the beaten road. To Charles it was evi-
dent that long race would be his only
means of escape should he be now pur-
sued, and he expressed the opinion to his
esquire.
True returned Pedro, for there's no
turnout till we cross the Guadalquiver, and
that is several leagues ahead 1t will be
near noon before we can reach it, at all
events.
Near two hours had elapsed since the
two left Xejal. At the foot of long
steep hill they allowed their horses to
come into walk, and leisurely they made
their way up. A. the top they instinct
lively turned their gaze back, and they
could plainly see the little hamlet they
had left, snuggled cozily in its quiet vale,
but most of the road between them and
the village was hidden from sight by its
devious way through the wood
i hear no sound, said Charles, as they
stopped to listen
Move are safe yet so let's push on
'Hark Was that bird, or the thump-
ing of some swinging limb2'
TWAS nothing said Pedro.
1T certainly was insisted Charles, at
the same time bending his ear attentively
towards the way he had come. i dis
tinctly heard a noise
Let's not wait here to decide If it
means evil for us we shall discover it soon
enough
'Hark There it is again. Don't you
hear it, Pedro p
San Dominic, do and it is the gal
lop of horse, too
More than one horse uttered Charles.
as he drew his rein. Lets on again
On it is shouted Pedro, laying the
lash upon the shoulders of his beast
For some distance ahead there was
gradual descent in the road, aud though
the horses rode hard yet they were kept
at their utmost speed-a speed, however
far from satisfactory Not over two
miles had been gained from the top of the
hill when the tramp of pursuing horses
was plainly heard, and at length, from a
point that commanded the road for nearly
a mile back, Charles caught glimpse of
some horsemen coming after him at full
gallop
'We are lost again, said Pedro, as his
eye caught the scene.
Unless we take to the woods, remarked
Charles
sWe cannot go in with the horses
They would not work their way at all with
riders on
But we can take to the wood on foot,
Pedro
San Jago, we can make the trial, and
we can but be taken, at all events; though
[ think the chances are against US
'Ah, that hope is gone See there
There opens the plain towards Jaen. We
must ride on as far as possible and trust
to chance We cannot fight them
Charles and his esquire galloped On,
but they knew the pursuers were rapidly
approaching.
My master said Pedro while a look
of unwonted determination rested upon
his countenance, for once I am going to
be rash
sAh, Pedro
Yes II we arc taken by these infdel
Moors we 81 all most assuredly be put to
death We can die here
Charles of Leon made no reply for sew
eral moments.
What think you, my master p asked
Pedro.
If had my armor, or even shield, l
would face them; but l am almost un-
armed This cimeter is nothing for me,
and you have nothing but q dagger. How
can we fight them p
we cannot, l own
$50 it appears to me- We have made
our trial, Pedro, and fear we have failed !,
yet l will fight if you say So
NO, sir Charles-it can do US no good
and may do us harm If you are willing
to be carried back to Granada, can sure
ly 60 with you
p,vSt ha hoo oir