The Nevada journal., 1857-02-20
: would to God could save thee But

L
alas cannot
Never mind, Sir Gomez returned
the condemned man, calmly. Il know
the duty imposed upon you. Bat have
one favor to ask. When the queen shall
know the truth, as she most assuredly
will, and is sorry for what she has done,
be you sure to tell her, that ere | died |
freely forgaye her, and asked God to
bless her.
Hold, Sir john cried Radigo, ear
nestly. IF the queen must at some
time know of your innocence, then why
cannot you now explain all 2
Because | am under an oath not to
do So
But your life, Sir John
'Ah, Radigo-what would knightly
oath be good for, if it must be broken to
save life 2 But the young knight re-
sumed, after a moments thought, how
did the queen know that Alcassim had
been with me 2
1T was one of your own men told
her.
Ha an old man ??
Yes
He's one whom | had occasion to
reprimand for theft; and this is his re-
venge. But never mind die at peace
with all | care for save my queen; and
she shall yet respect my memory. am
ready. Say no more.
Gomez Radigo took his friend by the
hand, and then turned away. De Bles
knelt by the block, and opened his col
lar
Strike quickly, now,' he said to the
headsman; and be sure that you strike
fairly
The dark man gave an affirmative
nod, and then the knight bowed his
head.
The axe was raised-the blow was
carefully measured-but ere it could
fall, a loud, piercing cry broke upon the
air. The axe sank down harmless, and
the headsman turned.
Hold Hold In Gods name hold !!
cried the voice, and in a moment more
boy rushed into the apartment. He
caught the ponderous axe from the
hand Of the executioner and hurled it
out at the window.
Stay this bloody work 7 he shouted,
with all his power. Sir John shall not
die Let him live an hour, and he
shall hold his queen by the hand while
she blesses God that he lives
'Ay,' uttered old Juan Torquedo, who
entered at that moment, breathless and
excited, spare the noble knight for an
hour, and he shall be pardoned! Sir
Gomez, you have my wordr
During this scene Sir John de Bles
had started to his feet and caught the
boy in his arms. The lad was not over
fifteen years of age pale and slim, but
with large, bright eyes, and features of
more than ordinary beauty.
o. he murmured, as he sunk upon
the stout knights bosom. L was in
time-in time But another moment
would have been your last. Forgive
me, my noble friend-forgive me-
BY my knighthoodp cried Radigo.
he shall have the time. An hour can
not be much to the queen, and it may
be everything to him. The hour shall
be granted, even at my own peril
Then come, Sir JUAN cried the boy.
Come
The queen sat in her private apart
ment, and she was weeping. She tried
to hide the tears, but they would trickle
down between her thin fingers, and her
maid saw it.
Think not of him. the latter said
why should you thus weep for trait
or 2
Silence, Ipez. I weep not for the
traitor, but for the boldest knight my
kingdom ever owned. O, de Bles de!
Bles would to God they had taken half
my court, so they had left theer
The maid turned away. for she knew
now, what she had long suspected, that
the queen had loved Sir John.
'Or Urraca resumed, raising her
clasped hands to heaven. had another
housed the Moorish monarch he should
have died before my very eyes; but l
could not even spare thee, O, Sir John
Why did the Moore drag himself there
O, why did he not seek some other
house 2
After this the queen arose and start
ed across the room. She had hardly
done so when private door was opened,
and a woman entered.
'Ha Isabel-it's thou Didst see
him die 2
No, no, Q, my mistress-I could notr
murmured the woman. i gained ac-
cess to the prison by means of your sig
net, and L looked through the little
window upon the scene; but could not
stay saw the noble knight all ready
for the block-and i heard him speak
to Sir Gomez
And what said he ? asked the queen
breathlessly.
He said that you should at some time
know he was not guilty. But he said to
Radigo thus: 0, l shall never forget it
he spoke so mildly and calmly, and
with such honest fervor Said he, Be