The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1874-09-18

within which, on a couch of vine and fie
leaves, lay a peach, an apricot, and 8
nectariDe, with their bloom and down
and dewy sweetress upon them, and all
IN the early stsge Of tempting ripeness.
The monarch was versed in the oriental
language of fruit and flowers, and read
lily OWNED the meaning of the emblem
attic offering.
''The critical period has arrived, 81
said he; "I must gather them under
my wing, and trust no other guardian
ship"
So saying, he ordered that tower oil
the Albambra should be prepared for
their reception, and departed at the
head of his guards for the fortress of
Salobrena, to conduct them home in
person. About three years had elapsed
since MahOmmed had beheld his daugh-
ters, 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 wOndrous boundary line
in female life which separates the crude,
Uniformed, and thoughtless girl from
the blooming, blushing, meditative wo-
man.
He prepared for his return by sending
herai 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 his precious charge,
on three BEAUTIFUL white palfreys, and
escorted by strong guard.
The cavaIcade was drawing near to
! Granada, whenit overlook, on the banks
| of Xenil, small body of Moorish sol
diers, with a convoy of prisoners. It
was too late for the soldiers to get out
| of the way, so they threw themselves
| on their faces on the earth, ordering
| their captves to do the same. Among
| the prisoners were the three identical
! cavaliers whom the princssses had seen
| from the pavilion. They either did not
understand, or were too naughty to
| obey the order, and remained standing
and gazing upon the cavalcade as it ap-
| 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 a Ieft-handed
! blow that wOuld have been fatal to at
! least one of the gazers, when the prin-
| cesses crowded round hin, and implored
mercy for the offenders. Mohammed
paused with uplifted scimitar, wheR the
| captain of the guard threw himself at
! his feet and exclaimed: Let not
your majesty do a deed that may cause
great scandal throughout the kingdom.
! These are three brave and noble Span
ish knights, who have been taken IN
battle, fighting like lions" Enough !"
said the king, "I 1 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 hsrangue, the wells of
the three princesses had been thro En
back, and the radiance Of their beauty
revealed. It's effect upon the three cav
alters was instantaneous and complete.
Quick as was this victory, not less singu-
lar was the fact that each of the love
vaDquished cavaliers was enraptured
with & 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
! filed the fair charges of Kadiga with
| pensive and melancholy thoughts. In
spite of all the luxury with which
| they were surrounded, they pined and
| faded. In vain did the anxious MOham-
med ransack the Zacatin of Granada for
! the richest silks and most precious Jew
! els. He gave it up as a hopeless affair,
and gave carte blanche to the discreet
| Kadiga, in whom his confidence was IN
| bounded. The wise duenna was skilled
| in diseases of the heart, aud knew the
| hest 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
| whiskered, Observation-Disclosures renegade,
in whose charge they were, and slipping
| q broad piece of gold into his itching
| palm, thus signifed her wishes: My
mistresses fave heard of the musical
! talents of the three Spanish cavaliers,
and are desirous of hearing specimen
! of their skill. I am sure you are too
/ 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
placed to work in a ravine at the bot
tom of the princesses' tower. The va
rious scenes in the interesting drama
which followed need not be detailed.
By the generous cOnnivance of Hussien
Baba, 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 it 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 ont from the tower in vain. In
vain they stretched out their swan-Iike
necks from the balcony; in vain they
sang like captive nightingales in their
cage nOEhing 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
4 returned with a face full of trouble.
"Ah, my children cried the sorrow
| ing duenna, "you may now hang up
your lutes on the willows. The Span
! 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 bust of sorrow had subsided, the
| faithful governess yentured to finish
! her communication. Yes, my chill
dren, well may you grieve at the loss
/ of such worthy cavaliers. Granada,
alas has not their equals. Would they
had embraced the faith of Islam, and
taken service under your 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 ?" ez-
claimed the anxious princesses in a
breath. What was it? that we may
! lose none Of their parting words"