Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-06-13


Z" France and victory l'' The Frenchmen
heard it, but they only made faint at
tempt of rallying to his rescue. His fol-
lowers were cut down one by one. yet still
he fought. Laying aside his lance he
seized his ponderous battle-a axe. Raising
himself in his stirrups, he welded it with
wonderful strength, and at each blow q
Moorish knight rolled in the dust, and a
horse careered riderless over that bloody
plain. But one man cannot hold his
ground against numbers, well-directed
blow from lance unhorsed the now ex-
hausted but dauntless cavalier, Guarinois.
AS the Moor who had oyerthrown him
was about to cleaye his head from his bo-
dy, the King of Marlotes, one of the Sc
ven Moorish kings, dashed up.
"Slay him not, slay him not" he shou-
ted, " but bear him off prisoner"
The day closed in, and darkness spread
its welcome cloak over that field, which
had been the scene Of the bloody and ia
tai fight of Roncesvalles.
o, weep, ye men Of France over your
defeat Weep, thou beautiful lady
Blanche, for thy brave Henri lies in a
Moorish dungeon Hide your heads in
shame ye cravens, who came not to the
rescue of the brave Guarinois
In au apartment Of the palace sat two
maidens Xarifa ard Madisma, daughters
of King Marlotes. Xarifa spoke first.
DO you wish to see the captive, the
Christian knight?"
cay. that l do" answered Madisma,
the youngest of the maidens.
"Sster, what knight have we who is
his equal? Report says he is young and
handsome, and we know he is brave, for
he alone slew nine Moorish knights. A
perfect hero. Bernado del Carpio only
is as brave"
WHY, sister, you are letting your
thoughts fly too far with you. Bernardo
would not have allowed himself to be ta-
ken at ALL"
Now, Narifa, you are the foolish one
Out upon you Can single man battle
with numbers and come off victoriously {?
Your wits have indeed flown, if you do
not feel that he must be true,knight, as
brave, ay, braver than Del Carpio."
Having given utterance to these feel
ings, Madisma turned away as if wishing
to put stop to any further discussion.-
Xarifa laughed lightly at her sisters man
ner.
"Ha, ha, SO thou art caught by the re-
ports concerning this brave in6del captive
knight -
Three days had Henri Guarinois been
imprisoned. though his place of con6ne-
ment was light and large, and he had been
treated with all kindness by the King
Marlottes. He was aroused from reve~
ry into which he had fallen by the opens
ing Of the prison door and the entrance of
the jailcr, accompanied by four attendants.
No words we're spoken, but he was led
forth to the council hall of the palace,
there to receive his sentence. King Mar
Totes gazed with joyful eyes upon his
captive. After silence of few mo-
mcntG, he thus spoke to GuarinOiS, who
stood calm and naughty before him.
"Hast thy found thy confinement irk~
some, sir count 2"
ANY knight would chafe at a con6ne
ment, king, no matter how pleasant an
abode. which keeps him from mounting
his steed with armor girded on, and lance
in hand.
The King smiled. and after strobing
his beard, and pondering moment or
two, he again spoke earnestly and hurri-
edly.
Now, by the name and for the sake
of Allah, renounce thy faith. Become a
Moslem, and with Joy will l receive thee. ="
A derisive smile played for moment
on his handsome face, but Guarinois an
swered not.
"Now, listen, Count Guarinois; but
become Moslem, and thou shalt have
either of my daughters for thy wife Thou
speakest not If thou wishest more, l
will give thee. Speak boldly, then, what
what is thy further wish 90
Kindly the King Marlotes spoke, for he
loved his noble captive, and would fain
win him for himself and daughter. Not
one moment did the count pause to think,
but clear and promptly came this answer:
God forbid. and Mary his dear moth
er, that 1 should renounce the faith OF
Christ, and adhere to Allah. 1 want nc
wife. I have one in my sunny France
l do not need another in Spain. No,
kindly though you have spoken, and ge,
nerously offered me thy child, cannot
abjure my faith or break my marriage
VOW"
king Marlotes eyes flashed, and he
cleuched his hands in rage.
Think once again, Count Guarinois
The offer Of a kings daughter should not
be lightly refused. Accept, and life, lib
erty, and power are thine heneeforth.-
Refuse, and the lowest dungeon possess
is thy life long abode !'
No muscle Of the counts face moved
his eye quailed not beneath the fierce
rage of The king. No thought of yielding
had place moment, though his heart sank
| Firm and calm he stood in his high cour
age, and his voice faltered not, though h
knew that his answer would shut him ou
forever from the pleasant light OF day
Again be repeated, and his voice wa