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

| Give your horse the reins,' said Zebra
as soon as she found how easily she rode
Fear not for me. shall sit firmly
| The knight could rot see the girls feat
ures plainly, but be coald tell by her voice
that she was apEieus, aud he allowed his
steed to go on as fast as he chose. while
side
The road was good, and though the way
was dark, yet the horses sped on withou,
hindrance. In half an hour the Guadix
had been crossed. aud as the bridge was
cleared, Charles waited for Pedro to come
up.
Ho, Pedro-will we take the vay we
came 2 asked the knight
There was road that led directly on to
the northward, but it will be remembered
that when Charles came to Granada. he
opened upon the river some distance fur
ther to the eastward.
This road will carry US on to Jaen.
where we'd better not CO. answered Pedro.
as he relned up his horse Let us take
the old route. We can leave Ell Aio to the
right, and cross the Guadalquiver on the
borders of Andalusia.'
Right, Pedro--right We must reach
the stronghold of St. Lorenzo in the morn
! ing, and there we shall be safe.
| Again the horses were put forward, Pc
dro falling back into the rear. Charles
followed the bank of the river down till
he came to the road he sought, and here he
turned off. The distance of mile thro'
thick wood opened into wide, cultiva-
ted plain, and as they entered upon this
the horses were urged somewhat
See said Zebra, as she pointed to
where the eastern heavens were growing
red, the moon is rising. We shall soon
have lighter path
And yet 1 should choose dark one ;
returned the knight
Is not that another wood ahead p the
girl asked, as she saw the dark line that
| bounded the plain to the northward.
| Yes, and it is the last we shall have to
shelter US till we cross the Guadalauiver. ;
think there will be no danger Zebra
said in hopeful tone
Perhaps there may not be- Let your
horse have his rein-keep firm in your seat
the way is smooth and clear
! Faster went the lover and his lady over
the plain, and half the distance had been
J pttSoOb. "uCu tuc huiSHb tuOuOHt he DedTu
a horse coming after him. He turned his
head, and ere long Pedro came galloping
furiously up.
On on 7 cried Pedro, as he dashed
alongside. There are horses in our rear =
Pursuers 2 uttered Charles
Yes-they must be- I heard their
| horses hoofs laundering upon the bridge,
and they must have followed US on our
route
%, then let us flee p cried Zebra, in
accents of terror can ride upon the
very wind without danger
Then on 1T is shouted the knight. as
he sank his spurs into his horses flank.
The beast sprang forward. and Zehra's
Arabian kept lightly up The wood was
gained, and its deep shade gave the riders
an instructive feeling of security. OF one
thing Charles soon become convinced, and
that was, that his own horse was no match
for the Arabian He knew that his faith
full charger, though strong and powerful
was now going at the top of his speed,
while it was evident at single glance that
Zehra's horse was scarcely straining a
muscle. The thought gave MIN sudden
uneasiness, for be knew that there were
many of those 1.-the -limbed beasts in Ora
NADIA, and it would be hard to distance
them.
When the wood was cleared. the open
country beyond was bathed in moonlight,
and for moment Charles of Leon hest
tated
'On on p shouted Pedro They have
entered the wood
The knight had thought of concealment
but the idea passed quickly away.
They gain upon u.s. cried Pedro.
We can gain the steep pass of Ell Ajo
before they overtake u.s. returned the
esquire.
God grant that we may 7 uttered
Charles. Fear not, Zebra, we are safe
yet
The maiden spoke not, but she grasped
her rein with frmer hold and urged her
horse on. She sat like rock in her seat.
with no fear save of those behind her.
They have cleared the wood, cried
Pedro.
Charles turned his head, and he could
see the pursuers. aud he could see their
shields, too, as they glistened in the moon
beams
'Can you count them 2 be asked Pc
dro.
Yes-there are six of them; but I am
sure there were more than six of them
crossed the bridge, for l heard their horses
tramp, and there must have been a score,
at least
'Cheer up, sweet Zebra said the young
Christian, as be noticed that she trembled.
Six of the Moors are nothing to me if /
can but reach the Ell Ajo pass. There |
would face score of them
The pass to which allusion was made
was some eight miles distant, and with the
hopes of reaching it the knight urged his
horse to the top of his speed. Pedro now
kept closely behind, and ever and anon he
cast his eyes back to see how came on the
pursuers The moon had risen clear and
bright, and her round, full face threw down
flood of light upon the plain-a light so
glaring that Charles almost fancled the
sun had grown crazy. and rushed untimely
to his rising He could see that Zebra
looked anxious-that her face was pale.
apd he foo1yad ,,pop kar he FLA he 49,,