Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-10

till not soul within it should be left
alive. Then suddenly Oliver turned to
Roland, and cried:
sShall thy uncle and mine be ever at
war? Say, young knight, wilt thou meet
me, and fight out this quarrel in single
cOmbat?o
CAV, that will l, for France and the
king!" answered Roland eagerly.
$50 be It'll" said Charles rising from his
seat. "These two are of like age and
strength, and it behooves them to win
their spurs. Go back to the duke, young
sir, and offer him this covenent; that if
thou be vanquished, he shall leave the
town forthwith; but if my nephew fall, I
will raise the siege and let him live in
peace
Willingly all the peers raised their
voices in assent, for they were Weared OF
this long war, and loved not to she'd the
blood of their countrymen. Thus it was
agreed, and the combat was to take place
next day on little island in the stream
that rolled between the dukes castle and
the camp of the king.
That night King Charles had a troubled
dream He dreamed that hawk and a
falcon fought fiercely together, but before
he might know which overcame the other,
he awoke and could sleep no more.
Anxious, he vowed a pilgrimage to Jerusa-
lem if Roland should have the victory.
Meanwhile the fair Aida spent the night
on her knees in the chapel of the castle.
If Oliver were slain on the morrow she
would become nun. And yet she
could not pray that Roland might fall by
his hands. She wept, praying on her
brothers armor, dreading both victory and
defeat.
Now the hour of the combat had come.
The bank of the river was throDged with
spectators The besieged covered the
walls, and high above all sat Lady Aida
with eager eyes. Opposite stood the
mailed host of the king. From either
bank the young knights were rowed
across, and left together on the island.
Oliver was equipped in rich arms that
had been given him when he was made
knight. Roland had the famed Duran
dial, that could not be bent or broken, land
the shield, with its red and white quar-
terings, that the Saracen was to know so
we'll. Cautiously they saluted each
other, and the fight began forthwith.
Brightly shone their swords in the
morning sun. Fiercely closed the young
champions for life or death. Loud echoed
the blows frem the castle walls. The
rivets flew from their armor, and splin-
tiers Of steel Tell into the river on either
hand. Allwho beheld marveled to see
such strokes, at each of which it seemed
that one of the fighters must fall. Blood
and sweat poured down their bodies; they
painted for breath; they exhausted their
strength, but neither would yield an inch.
1t was a good blade that Girard's
nephew had, but no steel could withstand
the matchless Durandal. At last divers
sword broke in his hand. He was forced
to his knees; already he almost felt the
enemy's sword in his heart; he closed
his eyes and thought of heaven, and his
sisters despairing cry rang in his ears.
But Roland flung away his weapon.
Rise, he said, II am the nephew of
men,"
Oliver rose to his feet, and they faced
each other with naked hands. They tore
up two saplings, and with them struck
mighty blows till these were broken.
Then they locked their bodies together,
and wrestled like lions, till both at the
same moment came to the ground.
When they stood up breathless, the
king saw them unlace their helmets and
embrace.
/" Ha! is my nephew tired of the fght?'
he cried, and Ganilon whispered into his
ear that Roland was betraying him for
love Of that lady upon the castle walls.
''Nay," said the wise Duke Naymes, II
will 90 through the fire or fghta Saracen
giant, ii Roland be false;;'' and so spoke
all the peers whose own hearts we're loyal.
In friendly converse the youth reposed
throughout the MONDAY heat.
'Right glad am ]" said Oliver, "to have
to do with so good a man.
land sad am t. said Roland, ITO
grieve so fair lady,"
They aided one another to lace on their
helmets, and with fresh strength renewed
the battle. The hot sun went down to-
ward the west, but sill they fought on
and the two hosts watched them, now
with hope now with fear. Again and again
they paused to take breath; then crossed
their swords once more. Would the day
not see the end Of this struggle?
Now it was Roland who lowered his
blade.
"Hold!" he said. II am fevered and
weak. and if it please thee, I would fain
lie down and rest time"
''With all my heart" replied Oliver.
ut were no honor to vanquish a knight
through sickness. Rest and fear not; I
myself will watch over thee
Roland undid his helmet, and stretched
himself on the earth. Then Oliver
brought great stone, ond put it beneath
his head to give him ease, and famed his
face, and fetched water in his own helmet.
''Ah! he yields-he is overcome!" cried
the king, and Aida had great pity of the
fallen knight,
But the kings nephew stood up and
laughed.
ebay, did but feign to try thy faith.
could fight on for days and nights, if
need were. But courteous sir, since We
use me thus, would right willingly call
thee brother. And if live, / will marry
no lady but thy fair sister,"
"And if live, she shall marry no man
but thee" said Oliver.
The sun went down as again they closed
in 1pSnaratn pncOrnfnr All that dow