Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1869-03-18


. ~ small uncasiness, and he ar lently long
ed for an opportunity oftrying his strength
with the English monarch. He had Wis
tied the royal captive several times in his
dungeon, and it was by his courtesy that
the King was treated with the respect and
attention which was due to so distinguish
Cd person After the English had. By
means Of the well-known adventure oil
Blondel, the minstrel. discovered in whose
custody their monarch was, and made
large offers for his liberation, the Prince
cndeavorcd to persuade his flther to ac-
cept the terms, but without success Be
side his sympathy for the unmerited suf-
ferings Of his fathers prisoner, the chiv-
alrous Prince was desirous TO see him set
at liberty, that they might meet each 9TH
er on equal terms, and try fairly and full
ly the strength Of their respective arms.
At length. however, he became so impa-
tent Of delay, and so emulous of Rich
ards reputation for strength, that he
wrung from the Emperor his consent that
day should be appointed on which he
and Richard should give and receive a
blow, in order to ascertain which of them
was the stronger.
Richard smiled when he received the
Princes challenr to meet him on this
occasion, AMI EXPRESSED his WILLINGNESS
to abide the result
On the day appointed, the Emperor and
the Empress, the Princess Of Mlrgu ret
t., and tie principal persons abou: the
court assembled in the GREAT hall o. Uar-
cnau, for the purpose of witnessing the
trial of strength. The dark eyes of Mar
gurrctta glisteael with wonder and de-
h.ht as the KING Of Eooland of whom
she had heard much, but had never vet
seen, strobe into the hall. His gigantic
form, his sinewy limbs and the h1urbty.
uudauuted EXPRESSION Of his features. fl
led her with apprehension. Neither of
the comba!aats WIS arm d, but we're clad
IN siIken tunics, and wore Oriental tur-
bans Oh their h ads
"Rchard of Elrland," said Arthur
1T thou would It forbcar this trial, thou
maycst but acknowledge that thou dare.t
not compete with me. and give m, that
wei N thy bonnet, in token of that ac-
know,cigucllt.
"Artbur 0: Ans ria, sad tbs Z leli>h
King, Il come not hithcr to rrlte an!
it the Emperor has only exhibited his
prisoner this day, that he my listen to
the VAIN vauntngs OF his sou, the sooner
he conslgns him back to his dungeon, the
better am ready, 2, ince. to bear y
olow. bat i lack both wit and spirit to
listen or reply to thy warnings
"Enou rh :" answered the Prince -
Look to .hyself Stanl firm. or tn
fame OF tny proves is cclips,d forever. ;
Tnus sayin. he raised his arm. clench
cd his hand. wnca seemed massy and
non Ierou, !, iron and aimed :, Moy NJ
Hsclard's head, which those who bahc,d
it ACCOMPANIED with shrek of horror
and dlsmay. Tac King, however re
ceived it with his arms folded, his ewes
carelessly wandering round the hall, and
uashaken as the trunk of an oak bv the
gentle breeze of summer.
TIE King turned shortly round UPON
the Prince. He, in his turn, clenchcd
his hand, raised his arm, and directing
his blow with the velocity of lightning at
his antagonist, felled the Prince, who
sank hteiess to the ground
A' present Instantly cFoWaeo round
,hc corpse an every enoGt was maze
on' unsucc'Ss'u''y' TO restore ANNA
ton :,
Away with nun sa'd Ine emperor
! IN paro4ysn n OF rag. oihh him III
the most loathscmc aad deepest dungeon
IN the castle