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

speedily made for their departure. Kari
sa mounted behind the Moor On his pow
erful steed; they left the castle walls be-
fore daybreak, nor did they pause, until
they arrived at the gate of the castle Of
Allora.
Alighting in the court, the Abeucerrage
supported the steps Of his trembling bride,
who remained closely veiltd, into the pres
ence of Rodrigo de Narvaez "Behold,
valiant alcayde!" said he, "the way in
which an Abencerrage keeps his word.-.
promised to return to thee a prisoner,
but | deliver two captives into thy power.
Behold 1arisa, and Judge whether /
grieved without reason, over the loss Of
such treasure. Receive US as thine own
for l confde my life and her honor to thy
hands"
The alcayde was lost in admiration Of
the beauty of the lady, and the noble spir-
it of the Moor.
81 know not" said he, (which Of you
surpasscs the other; but know that my
castle is graced and honored by your pres
ence. Consider it your own, while you
deign to reside with me-"
For several days, the lovers remained
at A!lora, happy in each others love, and
in the friendship Of the alcayde. The lat,
ter wrote a letter to the Moorish king OF
Granada, relating the whole event, extol-
ling the valor and good faith of the Aben.
cerrage, and craving for him the royal
countenance.
The King was moved by the story,
and pleased with an opportunity ofshow-
ing attention to the wishes of gallant
aud chivalrous enemy; for though he had
often suffered from the prowess Of Don
Rodrigo de Narvaez, he admired his he
roic character. Calling the alcayde of
Coyn into his presence, he gave him the
letter to read. The alcayde turned pale
and trembled with rage on the pcrusal.
"Restrain thine anger" said the king;
"there is nothing that the Alcayde of Al
lora could ask, that l would not grant, il
in my power. Go thou to Allora; pardon
thy children; take them to thy home.
receive this Abencerage into my favor,
and it will DC my delight to heap BEN
efts upon you ALL"
The kindlmg ire Of the alcayde was
suddenly appeascd. He hastened to AL
lora; and folded his children to his bosom,
who would have fallen at his feet. Rod
rigo dc Narvaez gave liberty to this pris-
oner without fansom, demanding merely
a promise Of his friendship. lie accom-
panied the youthful couple and their
father to Coyn, where their nuptials
were celebrated with great rejoicings.-
When the festivities were over, Don Rod
rigo returned to his fortress of Aliora.
After his departure the alcayde of Coyn
addressed his cliliien:
ITO your hands" said he, "confde the
disposition Of my wealth. One of the
first things | charge you, is not to forget
the ransom you owe to the alcayde Of AL
lora. His magnanimity you can never
repay, but you can prevent it from wrong
ing him of his just dues. Give him more
over, your entire friendship, for he merits
it fully, though Of different faith"
The Abencerrage thanked him for his
proposition, which so truly accorded with
his own wishes. lie took large sum OF
gold, and incosed it in rich Golfer; and,
OH his own part, sent six beautiful horses,
superbly caparisoned; with six shields and
lances, mounted and embossed with gold.
The beautiful Xarisa, at the same time,
wrote letter to the aIcayde, filed with
expressions Of gratitude aud friendship,
and sent him a box Of fragrant cypress
wood, containing linen Of the finest quail.
ity for his person. The alcayde disposed
Of the present in characteristic manner.
Tho horses and armor he shared among
the cavaliers who had accompanied him
on the night OF the skirnisl. The box
Of cypress wood and its contents lie re-
tained for the sake Of the beautiful Kari
sa; and sent her, by the hands Of the mes
senger, the sum of gold paid as ransom,
entreating her to receive il asa wedding
present. This courtesy and magnanimity
raised the character Of the alcayde Rodri-
go de Naryaez still higher in the cs.ima.
ton Of the Moors, who extoIled him as a
mirror Of chivalric virtue; and from that
time forward, there was continual ex-
change Of good offices between them
Those who would read the foregoing
story decked out with poetic grace in tLe
pure CAs,iliss, let tlsw seek Tin the Di-
sua Of Moaicnw3s