The Shasta courier., 1868-04-18
9 The famous knight. De Courcv !,

gave HIM small piece of parchment, and it
the enraptured youth read
When the tournament is won, Donnah
will be ahead-on the road to the Christian
camp
Brave girl 0, thank Heaven, l can
yet be free. The morrow will give me hap.
piness and liberty !"
The morrow for which he so earnestly
longed, dawned at lsngth, and even at an
early hour the ground was thronged with
eager visitors, who came to witness the
spectacle. About three hours before mid
day the trumpets sounded, and the knights
who were destined to fight, slowly gathered
together. Three sides were enclosed by rails
ed seats for spectators. The fourth was
open. AT the upper end set Hamet on sort
of throne, which he occupied by virtue of his
lofty rank. From his seat he could behold
all that happened. Aronnd him were many
of the most beautiful ladies in the city, whose
bright eyes sparkled with eager interest.
"Where is Donnah ?" said Hamet to an
attendant.
She said that she was ill.,"
WE'LL"
81 knew it. She said so."
iiamet looked uneasy, but the sudden peal
OF the signal trumpet drove away all thoughts
save those of intense eagerness and excite
ment.
First, two Saracens engaged and were
followed by others. Few were injured great
y. Thus far it was merely sport. The
spectators waited patiently for the more
bloody contests were to follow. They did
not wait long. for after about an hour a
Christian knight stepped forward to encoun
ter Saracen whose prowesss had elected
most Of the applause of the admiring gazers
New interest was excited by the contest, for
here there was something more than emula
tlon to give strength to the combatants, in
the one was fierce fanaticism and deadly
hatred to the Christian. La the other was no
less deadly hatred toward the Moslem min
gled with the inspiring hope of liberty and
all that can make life happy.
"Who is the Christian? ?' said all who saw
him.
And indeed in his appearance there was
something which might well excite the
curiosity of beholders. He was tall and all
his limbs were strangely knit together His
armor was of heavy plate, and glistened daz
zingly in the rays of the sun. In his hand he
held lightly the penderous fitting spear, while
his horse was managed with admirable grace.
Who is he ?"
The answer came from Hamet, and passed
all around the surrounding crowd.
The two knights were stationed. Each
made ready. The signal was given, and in
cloud of dust each rushed toward the
other. There was a shock, rafting of
armor, crash of arms dark form fell
headlong to the earth. The cloud rolled
away.
The Christian knight sat calm as statue
on his horse, holding broken spear, while
at lis feet lay horse and warrior in the
agonies of death.
A fierce yell arose from the excited throng
The knight slowly rode to Hamet.
q Am l free?'
i" Free? Dog of a Christian ! Wilt thou
claim freedom after killing so brave war
rior as he? No, thou shalt not yet be free
Other and harder work is before thee"
De Courcy retired, and with another spear
awaited the APPROACH of another antagonist.
He did not wait long. Amid loud cries and
the sound of trumpets and of drums came
another Saracen warrior. His form was
almost gigantic. His armor was thick and
heavy, while the horse which he rode was
one of the heavy and fiery steeds used by the
Crusaders.
Again the two knights took their stations.
Again the signal was given. and they rushed
together. The spear of the Saracen was
avoided by De Courcy. and striking slant
ingly upon his shield, it glanced from him.
Holding his own weapon with an iron hand.
he directed it full against the breast of his
! foe. As the Saracen s spear glanced, De
! Courcy's struck him with irristibe force
The horse was thrown back upon his haunch.
es. The heavy form of his rider was hurled
upon the ground.
Vengeance. vengeance Death to the
Christian !" yelled the infuriated throng.
De Courcy shook his spear in defiance at
all around him.
Come on, bring hither your bravestl'
Seize him!' shouted Hamet
" Never ~ cried De Courcy. He turned
his horse and struck the spurs deep into his
fanks.
The steed sprang forward A score of
men at arms stood to oppose him; the spear
of the flying knight scattered them. Away
away he went, over hill, over plain, away,
and his horses hoofs hundred along the
rocky road as he fed, leaving his astonished
foes far behind. When about ten miles from
the city he saw before him youth dressed
| in light chain armor. mounted upon a horse
Who art thou ?'' he cried, as he came
up.
Your delivercr," said voice which
thrilled through him, and lifting up the
helmet which covered his head, mass of
dark luxuriant hair fell down.
50 Donnah %
De Courcy pressed her to his heart.
Fly, Donnah, fly. The foe is behind
usn
And the Christian knight with bis brave
lady pushed swiftly toward the Christian
camp.
A week after there was great festival in
the camp of the Crusaders. The sound of
the harp and merry peals of laughter. songs
and music resounded from every side In
the air fiaunted the gorgeous banners of
many nations, and beneath them the festiv-
ltiez were carried on.
All was joy, for there the famous knight
De Courcy welded the lovely Donnah,
Richard the Lion hearted giving away the