Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-04
THE SWORD or ROLAND.
How the steel of Toledo Became Famous

IColborn's United service Magazlne.I
One Of The most curious OF the old Span
i>h legends is one which Is supposed to ac-
count for the extraordinary superiority Of
TOledan steel over that OF the whole world.
when the paiadn Roland fell wounded
unto death on the CORY battlefield OF Rom
ccsyauX, his famous sword, Durandal. be-
came the prize OF Saracen soldier in the
soryice Of the calph Of Burgos. Never was
Joy so great As when it became generally
known among the MoOrN that their red2ubt-
able foe. Roland, had departed from this
material world forever, and that his no.
less-renoWned Durandal had fallen in
IL their hands, and thus would never
again lee able to work the terrible
havoc smong the ranks i. had been wont to
do. The callph gave orders that magniii-
cent ease should be prepared in which he
intended 10 deposit the sword and expose
1t to hiS subjects, who all knew Of it. only
too well. by fame. for had not many 4
father. son, husband, brother. or uncle
been sent OF abruptly 10 another world I,
there 10 be welcomed by the celestial hours,
by the long swing and heavy crash Of that
enchanted blade, welded by the mighty
arm Of 4 dangerous enemy, who had es-
cared scatLeless from the fury and re.
holiday was the day TO be looked upon on
which they were al to hc oculariy satisfied
that The dreadful weapon had truly become
ther own. Therefor day and an hour
was appointed on which the sword should
bc formally pat into its ease for public in
spcction. The case which had been so
carefully prepared was gorgeou, with gold
embellishments aud many rare and precious
stones. mostly presented by the calipu him
-cif. ON the appointed day he came in
grCat state to receive The sword. Taking
II up with both his hands, H. VA, about to
Ullrc il in rs case, when, with a loud
cry OF Stupefactlon. Ice stepped hur-
ricdly hack. Everybody was then able
TO notice tina, Durandal had escaped from
hs hands. and was rapidly disappearing In
the ground, working il way Gown q,
though It were a screw. II i, not an easy
task 10 Ioltray tie confusion tdat rcigned
among the turbulent crowd enough % say
the rushing to aud fro was highly bewilder-
Ing, and the impreca;iOns loud and fearful.
Tue sWartEy warriors curs Il and tore their
toards, i0I Duandal could not he stopped
OF recovered. IL bad escaped them and dis
apVealed from In 'ir sight forever. For
many long year the sword remained I'M
doigrouud, working It's way all over
the country, over mountains, down
G1lcs. and under the plains, causing
strange Upheayals aud deep cracks on its
path, and keeping the poor people in Il
continual state Of Super,'itiouS terror At
length Durandal either got tired or found
rcstine-place that suited il. and 50 gave
up 1t. euatic movements. 10 lie quietly
concealed IN bed OF mountain Spria- 81
singllagly bright md pure water. whose
waters, flowing between grassy banks and
over shn.lv bed. passed the proud city
OF Toledo. From that hour the spring nc
quircd marvellous virtue, which. Destowed
immortality On the fair Spanish town: for.
owing 10 this wafer being used, the steel OF
Toledo was OF the be,,. and the armorers
we're enabled to defy the rest Of Chrlsten.
dom, il not Damascus Itself.