Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-03

tors but as guard of honor. AS they
drew near the castle the banners we've
hung out and the trumpets sounded from
the battlements; and on their nearer
approach the draw bridge was lowered
and Donna Maria came forth to meet
them, attended by her ladies and
knights, her pages and her mlnstrels.
She took the young bride Allifra In her
arms and kissed her with the tenderness
of sister and conducted her into the
castle. In the meantime Don Munio
sent forth missives in every direction
and had viands and dainties of all kinds
collected from the country round; and
the wedding of the Moorish lovers was
celebrated with all possible state and
festivity. For fifteen days the castle
was given up to oyand revelry. There
were fittings and ,ousts at the ring, and
bull fights, and banquets, aud dances to
the sound of minstrelsy. When the fif-
teen days were at an end he made the
bride and bridegroom magnificent pres
ents and conducted them and their at
tendants safely beyond the borders.
Such in old time was the courtesy and
generosity of Spanish cavalier.
$ Several years after this the king of
CASTLE summoned his mobiles to assist
him in o campaign against the Moors.
Don Munio Sancho was among the first
to answer the call; with seventy horse
men, all staunch and well-tried war
riors. His wife, Donna Maria, hung
about his neck. "Alas, my lord"
exclaimed she. show often wilt thou
tempt thy fate and when will thy thirst
for glory be appeased?' ..- ..-. .o
Gone battle more," replied Don
Munio. Gone battle more for the
honor of CASTLE, and [ here make avow
that when this is over, I will lay by
my sword and repair with my cavaliers
in pilgrimage to the sepulchre of our
Lord at Jerusalem" The cavaliers all
joined with him in the vow, and Donna
Maria felt in some degree soothed in
spirit; still she saw with heavy heart
the departure of her husband, and
watched his banner with wistful eyes
until it disappeared among the trees of
the forest. q.
The king of CASTLE led his army to
the plains of Salamanca, where they
encountered the Moorish hosts near to
Ucles. The battle was long and
bloody; the Christians repeatedly
wavered and were as often rallied by
the energy of their commanders. Don
Munio was covered with wounds, but
refused to leave the field. The Chris
tians at length gave way, and the king
was hardly pressed and In danger Of be-
ing captured. . r... ....-. ......- ,
Don Munio called upon his cavaliers
to follow to the rescue. ''Now is
the time,'' said he, ''to prove your 10y
atty. Fall like brave men! We fight
for the true faith, and if we lose our
lives here we shall gain a better life
hereafter. "' '-''-
Rushing with his men between the
king and his pursuers, they checked
the latter in their career and gave time
for their monarch to escape; b1t they
fell victims to their loyalty. They all
fought to the last gasp. Don Munio
was singled out by powerful Moorish
knight, but having been wounded in
the right arm he foughtto disadvantage,
and was slain. The battle being over,
the Moor paused to possess himself of
the spoils of this redoubtable Christian
warrior When he unlaced the helmet,
however, and beheld the countenance
of Don Munio, he gave great cry and
smote his breast. 'Woe is me-" cried
he, 81 have slain my benefactor, the
flower of knightiy virtue, the most
of cavaliers!o
While the battle had been raging Oh
the plain of Salmanara, Donna Maria
Palacin remained in her castle prey to
the keenest anxiety. Her eyes we're
ever fixed ON the road that led from the
country of the Moors, and often asked
the watchman of the tower, What
seest thou?"
One evening at the shadowy hour of
twilight, the warden sounded his horn.
81 see," cried he, ga numerous train
winding up the valley. They are min
gled Moors and Christians. The ban
ner of my lord is in advance. Joyful
tidings!'' exclaimed the old seneschaI,
"my lord returns in triumph, and brings
captives." Then the castle courts rang
with shouts of joy; and the standard
was displayed and trumpets were sound
ed; and the drawbridge was lowered,
and Donna Maria went forth with her
ladies and her knights and her pages
and her minstrels to welcome her lord
from the wars. But as the train drew
nigh she beheld sumptuous bier clad
in black velvet, and on it lay warrior,
as if taking his repose; he lay in his ar
NOR, with his helmet on his head and
his sword in his hand, as one who had
never been conquered, and around the
bier were the escutceons of the house of
Hinojosa. Esl .a ~ .saa8 ad
A number eff Moorish cavaliers at
tended the bier with emblems of mourn
ing and with detected countenances;
and the leader cast himself at the feet of
Donna Maria and hid his face in his
hands. She beheld in him the gallant
Abadil whom she had once welcomed
with his bride to her castle, but who
now came with the body of her lord,
whom he had unknowingly slain in bat
tie! a.T s07a5.# a~asrafs, .-a#
The sepulchre erected in the clois-
tars of the convent of San DOMINGO.