Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1867-09-28
THE CAPTIvE's FLIGHT.
A TEMpLAR STORY.

'ro' W 'u "'oiS Iue sanuy SOHtuuc, WhGre no treo
offered welcome shade. The sterile and bar
ron desert spread around on every siae-alI
desolate, all burning in the hot rays of the
sun. There were no fountains, no trees, moth.
ing to DC seen but the plain of sand, save
where in the distance long line of gloomy
aud rugged rocks arose.
Through this frightful desert travelled a
Christian knight All day he had gone on,
the sun sending down fierccst rays upon his
holmcd head and glittering and polished ar.
NOR. Faint and weary he went on, aud as he
ncarcd tho gloomy but grateful rocks thrill
oi JOY passed through lis BOSOM
LA" he exclaimed, as towards evening
nc entered the shadow of lofty, prccipitous
height. Here is grateful place to rest
Here may dsmount and refresh myself and
weary steed. But first let me find some spring
! where my, horse and may obtain draught
80 saying, he went on moro slowly than
before 1t was we'll that he had reached this
place of rest. Hi horse trembcd with utter
fatigue, and seemed scarce able to walk
The knight himself felt exhausted and his
iron frame was almost broken down by the
labors of the day
AT length he found spring which gushcd
musically from one of the rocks into pool
below. Here he dismountcd, and rider and
horse both rushed eagerly to the water. The
knight drank long and heavily
+" Praised be the Holy Virgin' he cx-
claimed, brushing away tho drops of water
which clung to his mustache, Praised and
forever blessed be st -"
Ho Chrstan?" suddenly exclaimed
voice behind him in Arabic, surrender y
The knight turned swiftly around drawing
his sword as he did so.
Before him was Saraccn knight, dressed
IN chain armor, mounted on light Arabic
stccd.
Surrender, Sir Christian !"
Who art thou who darcst call on mo to
surrcnder?"
I'll mn Hamct, the Governor Of Arc,
we'll known in the camp of Saadin."
And /, Count Roland de Courcy, lcspisc
thee for all infdcl and base hcathcn |" cried
the Christian, lifting his sword g SO come on
thou on horse and on foot. will fight thcc;
God Judge the right"
Fool y cried the Saracen 8" Dost thou
think that ] am alone as thou art? See p
| lie blew silver trumpet which hung by
his side. At the sound a number of followers
came riding one after another from the clcfts
| and dcflcs of the surrounding rocks
Wilt thou fight now? Yield, Christian!"
DE Courcy stood for moment aud looked
| around. AS many as a hundred men were
| there before him. How could he fight against
such fearful odds
| O. am your prisoner; but, Hanet, if thou
burst. will fight you for my freedom"
| The Saraccn smiled sarcastically.
No, no, Sir Christian | wish not to kill
thee Soldiers, give him another horse, for
his is weary. Form around and let us CO."
His followers obcycd With the captiye
knight in their midst they departed.
"Where art thou taking me?" said De
Courcy to IIamet
"Whcre? 10 Arc. That will thonceforth
be thy home"
/" Boast not thysclf too greatly. may be
freed from thy hand"
The palace Of IIamet lay little way out of
town, upon gentle emncnce facing the sea
1t was magnificent cdifcc, built in the lux.
urious style of the Sar.ccns Among the
many places around it was titing yard, built
| for tho purpose of enjoying that chivalrous
sport which tho Nloslcm loved as we'll as q
Christian.
Dc Courcy was made slave He was al
lowed the freedom oG the house and grounds,
but it was impossible for him to escape-for
wherever he went he was watched Yet his
Si'utIiou WIS nOC SO miserable as might be
conceived. Among the maidens who dwelt
in Hamot's palace the most beautiful was his
peerless daughter, Donnah. She it was who,
on his arrival, piticd him. and saved him from
dungeon. She it was whose dark eye would
sometimes rest upon him with an expression
which made his youthful heart throb with un-
accustomed violence.
Oh had hut my freedom, and my gal
liant men behind me, how eagerly would
force my way even into the middle of IIamet's
hold to win the lovely Donnah p
| a tournament! The proclamation went
round and tho tidings spread far and wide that
Hamet was going to prepare tournament
which for splcndor and magniticence could not
be surpassed
"My father" said Donnah, "wherc will
your knights come from 2"
Where? F? From my own brave troop and
from Arc, where some of the bravcst of all
the faithful dwell"
"Anl wilt thon have Mosems only ?"
| Yes Would | venture to let the faith.
less Christian approach here? No, by AL
lah p
But there arc Christian captives who were
I ace soldiers"
"Well.'
"Thcy can wicld the sword and take part
in the tournament"
Well said"
| &C IF f1,ay oro killol l,t tl,os>