Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1874-04-02

ing hernlus before him, commanding
everyone to keep ont of the road b!
which no was to pass and that III
doors and windows should he closed a
tho approach Of the princesses. HI
then set out, accompanied by hi
precious charge on three benutifu
white palfreys, and escorted by strong
Iguard.
The cavalcade was drawing near t.
Grenada, when itovertook, Oh the bank.
OF Aenil, a small body of Moorish sol
dlers, with convoy of prisoners. Il
was too late for the soldiers to get on
of the way, so they threw thenselve.
on their faces on the earth, ordering
their captives to do the same. Among
the prisoners were the three ilentica
cavaliers who the princesacs had seer
from the pavilion. They either did moi
understand, or were too naughty to obey
the order, and remained standing and
gazing upon the cavalcade rs it up.
preached. go
The ire of the monarch was kindleJ
at this fragrant defiance of his orders.
Drawing his scimitar and pressing for.
ward, he was about TO deal q left handed
blow that would have been fatal to a,
least one of the gazers, when tho Prin.
cesses crowded round him, and implor.
ed mercy for the offenders. Mohammed
paused with uplifted scimitar, when thu
captain of the guard threw himself a,
els feet and exclaimed:
"Let not your majesty do deed that
may cause great scandal throughout
the kingdom. These are three brave
Spanish knights, who have been taken
in battle, fighting like lions"
Enough !" said the King, 81 will
spare their lives, but punish their au.
dacity; let them be taken to the Virmil.
hon towers, and put to hard labor"
While Mohammed had been making
this harangue, the vcils of tho three
princesses had been thrown back, and
the radiance of their beauty revealed.
Its effect upon the three cavaliers was
instantaneous and complete. Quick as
was this victory, not less singular was
the fact that each of the love- vanqtlishet|
cavaliers was enraptured with a special
beauty. The cavalcadc resumed its
march and reached the Alhambra; the
Spanish captives were conducted to
their allotted prison in the Vermillion
towers in the same fortress.
The memory of the noble cavaliers
filled the fair charges of Kadiga with
pensive and melancholy thoughts. In
spite of I'LL the luxury with which they
were surrounded, they pinned and faded;
In vain did the anxious Mohammcd
ransack the Zacatin of Granada for The
richest silks and most precious Jewels.
He gave it up as hopeless affair, and
gave carte blanche to the discreet Ka.
olga, in whom his confidence was I'M
bounded. The wise duenna was skilled
in diseases of the heart, and knew the
best medicine for her pining charges.
The day before she had discovered the
locality of the Christian captives, and
going privately to Hussien Bahia. the
big-whiskered, broad-shouldered rene.
gado, in whose charge they were, and
slipping broad piece of gold into his
itching palm, thus signified her wishes
My mistresses have heard of the
musical talents of the three Spanish
cavaliers, and are DESTROYS of hearing 8
specimen of their skill. I am sure YOU
are too kind-hearted to refuse them sc
innocent a qualification.
The cautious Huston was about t.
suggest obstacles and dangers, but they
were removed by the golden logic Of
kadiga, and it was arranged that the
cavaliers should be placed to work i1
the ravine at the bottom of the princess
es' tower. The various scenes in the
interesting drama which followed need
not be detailed. By the generous con
nivance of Hussien Bahia, the lovers
held converse by song and flower. Days
and weeks flew by like so many hours
the mutual passion of the captives and
their royalmistresses becoming strength.
ened by the very difficulties by which il
was attended. At length there was Oh
interruption in their Geographic cor.
respondence; for several days the cava.
Tiers ceased to make their appearance
in the glen. The three beautiful prin.
cesses looked out from the towers in
vain. In vain they stretched ont thei,
swan-like necks from the balcony In
vain they sang like captive nightingales
in their cage nothing was to he seen OF
their Christian lovers; not q note re.
sponded from the groves. The discreet
Kadiga was sent forth for intelligence
and soon returned with face full Of
trouble.
':,Ah, my children ~ cried the sorrow.
ing duenna, you may now hang ur
your lutes on the willows. The Spanish
cavaliers are now ransomed by theil
families; they are down in Granada and
are preparing to return to their native
country"
| The three beautiful princesses were
in despair at the tidings. AS soon as
the first burst of sorrow had subsidized.
the faithful g0verness ventured to finish
her communication. eyes, nv chill.
dren, we'll may You grieve at the loss OF
such worthy cavaliers. Grenada, alas
has not their equals. Would they had
embraced the faith of Islam, and taken
service under your royal father There
might have been hope. AS it is, they
are in despair, and could think of only
one plan that would remedy your com.
mon misfortune"
"What was it, good Kadiga?" ex.
claimed the anxious princeBses in q
breath. What was it :? that we may
lose none of their parting words"
In the excess of their affection,
they endeavored to persuade me to urge
you to fly with them to Cordova, and
become their wives -
The three princesses turned alternate
~ pale and red, and trcmblcd. and
looked down, and cast shy looks at eacl,
other but doubts and fears were all
silenced and removed by the potent ar-
guments of love. The following night
was the one appointed for the escape.
Toward midnight, when the Alhambra
was buried in sleep, the discreet Kadiga
listened from the balcony of a window
that looked into the garden. Hussien
Bahia, who was to accompany the cava.
liers in their flight, was already below,
and gave the appointed signal. The
duenna fastened the end of q ladder OF
ropes to the balcony, lowered it into
the garden, and descended. The two
eldest princesses followed her with
beating hearts but when it came to
the turn of the youngest princess,
Zorahayda, she hcsitated and trembled.
Every moment increased the danger Of
discovery. A distant tramp was heard.
1.-THE patrols are walking the rounds, u
cried the renegade eff we linger We
perish; Princess, descend instantly,
or we leave you"
Zorahayda was for a moment in fear.
full agitation then, loosening the lad
der OF ropes, with a desperate resolu
ton, she flung it from the balcony.
ut is decided p she cried; "flight
is now out Of my power. Allah guide
and bless you, my sisters! Farewell ?
The two eldest princesses would fair
have fingered, but the furious renegade
hurried them away. A dark subterra
mean passage soon brought them to tn.
outside Of the fortress. where tho GAVIN