The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-04-25

no lon ger sat his horse firmly, nor man.
aged him with his wonted skill. Collect
ing all his strength for last assault, he
rose in his stirrup, and made violent
thrust with his lance; the Alcayde re-
ceNed itupon his shield, and at the same
time wounded the Moore in the right arm :;
then closing in the shock, grasped him in
his arms, dragged him from his saddle,
and fell with him to the earth; then put
ting his knee upon his breast. and his
dagger to his throat, Cavalier" exclaim-
ed he "render thyself my prisoner, for thy
life is in my hands"
"kill me, rather" replied the Moor,
"for death will be less grievous than loss
Of liberty"
The Alcayde, however, with the Glenn
ency Of the truly brave assisted him to
rise, ministered to his wounds with his
own hands, and had him conveyed with
great care to the castle Of Allora. His
wounds, in few days were nearly cured;
but the deepest had been inflicted on his
spirit. He was constantly buried in
profound melancholy.
The Alcayle. who had conceived a
great regard for him, treated him more as
friend than captive, and tried in every
way to cheer him, but in vain; he was
always sad and moody, and when on the
battfe,nents Of the castle, would keep his
eyes turned to the south, with a fixed and
wis,ful gaze.
"How is this p exclaimed the Alcayde,
reproachfully, that you who were so
hardy and fearless in the field, should
loose all spirit when a captive. If any
secret grief preys on your heart, con6de 1t
to me as to a friend, and promise on
the faith Of a cavalier. that you shall have
no cause to repent the disclosure"
The Moorish knight kissed the hanl OF
the Alcayde. "Noblc cavalier" sail he
that am cast down in spirit, is not from
my wounds. which are slight. nor from
my captivity. for YOUR kindness has rob IL.
bed il Of all gloom nor from my defeat,
for TO be conquered by so accomplished
and renowned cavalier. is no disgrace.
But 10 explain the cause Of my grief, it is
necessary to give some particulars Of my
story; and this am novel 10 do by tho
sympathy you have manifested towards
me, and the magnanimiuy that shines
through all your actions.
Know. then. that nv name is Absnda.
reaz, and that am Of the noble but un.
fortunate line ofthe Abencarrages. You
have doubtless heard Of the destruction
that fell upon our race. Charged with
reasonable designs, Of which they were
entirely innocent, many Of them were be.
headed, the rest bar ished; so that not
an Ahencarrage was permitted to remain
in Granada, excepting my father and my
uncle, whose innocence was proved even
to the satisfaction Of their persecutors.
1t was decreed, however. that should they
have children, the sons should be educated
at a distance from Granada, and the
daughters should be married out of the
king iom.
Conformably to this Decree was sent,
while yet al infant, to be reared in the
fortress Of Carama, The Alcsyde Of which
was an ancient friend of my father. lie
had no children, anil received me into his
family as his own child, treating me with
the Kindness and affection of father t;
aud l grew up in the belief that he really
was such. A few years afterward bis wife
gave birth TO daughter, but his tender
ness toward me continued undiminished.
| thus grew up with Xarisa, for 30 the ii,-
fant daughter Of the Alcayde was called,
rs her own brother. beheld her charms
unfolding, rs il were, leaf by leaf, like the
morning rose. each moment disclosing
fresh sweetness ard beauty, and thought
the groping passion felt for her was mere
fraternal affection.
"At length one day | accidentally over
heard conversation between the Alcayde
and his confidential domestic, of which
found myself the subject.
sin this found the secret Of my real
parentage, which the Alcayde had with
held from me as long as possible, through
reluctance TO inform me Of my being Of
prescribed and unlucky race. 1t was
time now, he thought, to apprise me Of
the truth, that | might adopt career in
life.
Il retired without letting 1t be perceiy-
ed tliat | had overheard the conversation.
The intelligence u conveyed would have
overwhelmed me At sn early period but
l'ow The Iniimatiop thAt xarisa vas not
my sister opsrsisd iiks Rsei y On in-,