The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1874-09-18

person. About three years had elapsed
since Mahommed had beheld his daugh-
tiers, and he could scarcely credit his
eyes at the wonderful change which that
small space of time had made in their
appearance. During the interval they
bad passed that wondlous boundary line
In female life which separates the crude,
uniformed, and thoughtless girl from
the blooming, blushing, meditative wo-
man.
lie prepared for his return by sending
hera!ds before him, commanding every
one to keep out of the road by which he
was to pass and that all doors and
windows should be closed at the ap-
proach of the princesses. He then set
out, accompanied by hisp precious charge,
on three beautiful white palfreys, and
escorted by a strong guard.
The cavalcade was drawing near to
Granada, when 1t overlook, on the banks
of Xenil, small body of Moorish sol
dlers, with convoy of prisoners. 1t
was too late for the soldiers to get out
of the way, so they threw themselves
on their faces on the earth ordering
their eaRgss t %ef ao the id A2
cavaliers whom the prineesses had seen
fro a the pavilion. They either did not
| understood, or were too naughty to
ooey the order, and remained standing
and gazing upon the cavalcade as it APP
preached.
The ire of the monarch was kindled
at this fragrant defiance of his orders.
/ Drawing his scimitar and pressing for
ward, he was about to deal left-handed
blow that would have been fatal to at
least one of the gazers, when the prin-
cesses crowded round hirl, and implored
mercy for the offenders. Mohammed
paused with upIifted scimitar, when the
! captain of the guard threw himself at
/ his feet and exclaimed ''Let not |
| your majesty do deed that may cause 1
! great scandal throughout the kingdo q.
These are three brave and noble Span I
ish knights, who have been taken In /
battle, fighting like lions" Enough /"
said the king, as / will spare their lives, |
but punish their audacity; let them be /
taken to the Vermilion towers, and put /
to hard labor. While Mohammed had
been making this harangue, the wells Of |
the three princesses had been thro vn
back, and the radiance of their beauty
revealed. Its effect upon the three cav
alters was instantaneous and complete.
Quick as was this victory not less singu-
lar was the fact that { 1ch of the love
vanqulshed cavaliers was enraptured
with a special beauty. The cavalcade
resumed its march and reached the AL
hambra the Spanish captives were con-
Quoted to their allotted prison in the
Vermilion 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 all the luxury with which
they were surrounded, they pinned and
faded Tn x-ofY, 15I Ia I'll ] 4
med ransack the Zacatin of Granada for
the richest silks and most precious Jew
els. De gave 1t up as hopeless affair,
and gave carte blanche to the discreet ]
Kadio,l, 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 charge.
The day before she had discovered the
locale of the Christian captives, and GO
ing privately to Hussien Baba, the big
whlskered, broad-Shouldered renegade,
in whose charge they were, and slipping
a broad piece of gold into his itching ,
fasffesses nave i}eaSsi OF Efis5 s.1,ssleels.
talents of the three Spanish cavaliers, I
and are DESTROYS of hearing specimen
of their skill. I am sure You are too I
kind hearted to refuse them so innocent ]
a qualification The cautious Hussien
was about TO suggest obstacles and dan
gers, but they were removed by the
golden logic of Kadiga, and it was ar
ranged that the cavaliers should be
place 20 work in a ravine at the bot
tom of the Processes tower. The va
rious scenes in the interesting drama
which followed need not be detailed.
BY the generous connivance of Husslen
Bahia, the lovers held converse by song
and flowers. Days and weeks flew by
like so many hours, the mutual passion
of the captives and their royal mis-
tresses becoming strengthened by the
very difficulties by which 1t was at
tended. At length there was an inter
ruption in ther telegraphic correspond
ence; for several days the cavaliers
ceased to make their appearance IN the
glen. The three beautiful princesses
looked out from the tower in vain. In
vain they stretched out their swan-like
necks from the balcony; in vain they
sang like captive nightingales in their
cage nothing was to be seen of their
Christian lovers; not a note responded
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 up
your lutes on the willows. The SIP n
ish cavaliers are now ransomed by their
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 governess yentured to finish
her communication. Yes, nv chill
dren, well may you grieve at the loss
of such worthy cavaliers. Granada,
II ho5 XVny,lA fhQu
had embraced the faith of Islam, and |
taken service under your father There
might have been hope. AS 1t is, they /
az in despair, and copld think of only |
ore plan that would remedy your c. a. |
mon misfortune"
What was it, good Kadiga ?" ex-
claimed the anxious princesses in a |
breath. "What was it? that we may |
lose none of their parting Yords."
Sin the excess of their affection, they |
endesvored to persuade me to urge you
to fly with them to Cordova, and become |
their wives y
The three Processes turned alternate
ly pale and red, and trembled, and looked !
down, and cast a shy look at each other;
but doubts and fears were all silenced /
and removed by the potent arguments
of love. The following night was the
one appointed for their 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 cavaliers in their |
flight, was already below, and gave the |
appointed signal. The duenna fastened |
the end o. ladder of ropes to the bal |
cony, lowered it into the garden, and &C. |
scended. The two eldest princesses fol- |
lowed her with beating hearts ; but when |
it came to the turn of the youngest |
| princess, Zorahayda, she hesitated and |
| trembled. Every moment increased the
danger of discovery. A distant tramp
was heard.
"The patrols are walking the rounds"
cried the renegade; 'if we linger we per-
| ish. Princess, descend instantly, or we
leave you"
Zorahayda was for q moment in fear
full agitation then, loosening the lad
der of ropes, with desperate resolution.
she flung it from the balcony.
cit is decided I" she cried s. flight is