The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-02-11

earth.
So Rogero always wore a richly embroidered
silken cover upon it. Now, during the fighting,
the cover had become unfastened and the shield
had flashed before the eyes of all the combat
ants, though Rogero had not known it.
"Ah!" said Rogero sadly, that was not fair
A knight who wins by unfair means is no better
than churl."
He knew the knights would by-and-by recover,
so he was not anxious about them.
But he thought if the secret OF the shield
should ever be known 1T would be said that ne
had always won his victories by magic, though
nothing could be more just.
"Ah." thought Rogero II would rather never
win at all than not to fight fairly"
So he took his beautiful golden shield, and,
giving one last affectionate look at it, threw it
into a deep nit. where no one would ever find it.
Now" said he, Il am man again, just like
other men, with no help from falsehood!"
And he went on his way, conquering more
surely than ever. He might have said:
"My strength is as the strength of ten, because
my heart is pure"
Still his heart was heavy, as he wandered on
toward the East, for he heard nothing more of
Bradamant, and did not know whether he should
ever see her again.
By-and-by, he came to the borders of Constan-
tinople, and Joined himself to king who was
fighting against the King of Constantinople.
He did as many wonderful deeds as hundred
other men; but at last he was overpowered and
taken prisoner, and as the King of Constantine
pie had seen what dangerous enemy he was,
he put him down into his deepest dungeon, so
that he could not possibly escape unaided.
1t was dark and cold, and he had very little to
eat so he was unhappy enough, and thought he
should die there. But one night he saw the
glimmer of light and, in a few minutes, man,
with his face concealed, came towards him, bring
ing him bread and meat and wine to revive
him, and then told him to follow him closely and
silently, and he should be released.
"But who are you? ?" asked Rogero, in surprise.
al am Leo the kings son." said his visitor;
"and have the keys of the prison. But if we
are discovered we shall both be executed"
"Why, brave, generous man." asked Rogero
"have you risked your life to save stranger and
an enemy like me?"
Because I saw you in the battle, and you are
the bravest knight l have ever SEEN" replied
Leo. Il would gladly save you for your own
sake; but have boon to ask, which could only
be granted by one as brave as you. will not
ask it till we are safe, however"
OF course Rogero thought he would gladly do
anything for his preserver, for he could not
dream what the boon would prove to be; so he
followed Leo silently out of prison.
When they were in safe place, Leo threw off
his disguise and showed himself to be slender
thoughtful looking man, with gentle face
Then he told Rogero his story in these words:
MANY hundred miles away from here is
rich kingdom ruled by the Emperor Charlemagne
The farest maiden in the kingdom is his niece
Bradamant. who is so high-spirited that she has
herself gone forth in the armor of knight to
fight against the Moors Her parents have at
last, however, found her and brought her home
| again and now that Charlemagne was every
where victorious, she need fight no longer, and
| they wish to give her in marriage. Long ago, L
| heard of her beauty, and sent ambassadors to ask
! her hand. Her parents and the Emperor approve,
but the maiden herself is 10th to marry, and has
! begged the Emperor to declare that she shall
marry only him who can conquer her in the Joust.
1t is therefore proposed that l shall go and try
nv fate. But, you see am scholar and not a
fighter, and fear to lose her entirely. Now, if
| you Will veal uly allIoi3 anu Aoi NM w,
will certainly win the victory, and l may claim
my bride. Is that too great service tor me to
ask in return for your freedOm?"
As you may suppose, Rogero was stunned. He
almost wished that he had died in his dungeon.
But he saw only one thing to do. He thought
ingratitude was base, and that he ought to re-
ward his preserver in the only way possible to
him, and he promised to do what was required
In the meantime, Bradanant had no fear. She
felt sure that when Rogero heard the proclama-
ton of the Emperor he would appear to JOust
with her and that he alone could conquer.
When it proved that Leo had actually come
to court, she looked at him rather scOrnfully
nerfectly sure that she could win the victory
over him.
So she covered her beautiful face with heI
visor, and, as Rogero had done the same, she sup
posed it was Leo who opposed her. All the court
gathered to see the combat
Rogero began rather feebly, and everybody
thought Bradamant would win; but Rogerc
thought within himself:
"Now, if do my best Leo will have Brada
mant; but if l do not do my best, shall be 8
traitor. must do my best come what will"
So he began to fight manfully, only being care
full not to wound Bradamant She, finding her
self hard pressed, fought as she never had fought
hofnre en- that the fioht endured all day till sun