The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-11-20
NUMBER %

81 have come from the Moorish
camp, most worthy Seignior, and l
bring news OF much import to Spain
=" Here the pilgrim paused, and his
breath came hard and fast. Alphon-
so, with bated breath, listened for the
sentence to be completed, but the
stranger added:
IL am weak and faint. ! have fast
ed many days" Eagerly he quafied
the wine they brought him, and then
| proceeded 10 tell how the little band of
Moslems was fading away AS the mist
from the mountain. That ere to-mor-
rows sun sci there would bc few left
TO tell the story OF surrender.
In quick accents, Alphonso asked his
name, and hearts stood still TO listen
to its sound. when suddenly the
stranger guest dropped from his shoul-
ders the long mantle he wore, and be-
meath it showed a Moorish habit. No
near subject, no mere titled scion Of
nobility was here. For on The shout
ders, on the bosom were the we'll
known insignia of royalty. and, even
II that kingly presence had not whis-
pered the truth long before, Don AL
| phonso, his generals. and guards. and
soldiers. knew too well that the hap
less King of Granada. the far famed
Almanzor stood before them. 10 their
excited shout, he answered.. with misty
eyes and husky voices
Eyes! am King Almanzor. From
out the portals of the palace, lost to me
forever. | have come to surrender to
you, the mighty leader of Spain's
legion, the sword, never before useless
to me or mine. Day by day l have
listened TO the noise of your advancing
armies, and 0 the truth has crushed
itself into my heart, that a mightier
power than that of man leads you on
to victory. 10 you l will surrender
the keys of my city. BE kind TO my
poor people. bereft as they are OF pro-
lection and homei'. Tears choked the
utterance of the fallen king, and his
head sank upon his breast, even while
loud shouts rent the air in praise of
the noble King Aimanzor.
And now the fallen king, with sad
mien, vas making his adieu to all
around. He called them his brothers,
and protested the love which filled his
heart for the religion OF the Spaniard.
Wildly he prayed for their success, and
according to the custom of the times
wished, in proof OF the admiration he
felt, to give to each new found brother
the kiss of peace. Eagerly, wildly,
he embraced the brave soldiers. Al
most passionateiy he pressed mad kiss
IS on brow and lip, when suddenly he
reeled, he fell; and before he could
reach the beloved, chief, all started
with horror TO see livid spots start out
upon the pallid face. And now the
coursing fever almost bursts his veins.
His tongue. rasp and dry, rolls from
his mouth; his eyes almost start from
their sockets. Frightened whispers
passed with cruel blight from lip to
lip. The agonized, groaning mass on
the floor heard that shocked whisper,
and, gathering himself up with strength
almost superhuman, he reiter ated the
words:
Eyes, the plague is here; and the
Judas kisses l have given ye-oh, hated
infidels - will sweep you from the
earth, even at the very gates of dear
old Granada"
Then IL was that, after a moment of
speechless horror from the doomed
men. that Alphonso, their leader. adj
dressed the dying man:
"Your work was VOL planned, cruel
Almanzor; but our hearts are in the
holy cause for which we work. The
men whom your poisoned breath would
blast are ready to meet their God.
Their souls are shrived, and death has
no terror for them! On. men, to the
conquest of Granada" Clear as a
bell rang mi the rich tones of Alphon-
SOS voice, and while the death groans
Of the miserable monarch were yet
sounding in their ears. they marched
to the conquest OF the doomed city.
Valiantly they rushed to the fight, with
prayer and battle hymn, they fought
as men seldom fight. And when the
setting sun had gilded the slender
spires of Old Granada, she crowned
with glory the battle of the day.
Throughout the length and breadth of
the beautiful land Christianity triumph
ed, and to the delighted view of the
triumphant army celestial glory
crowned the simple cross which had
replaced the cruel crescent on the
minarets of conquered A~lphuara.-
Catholic Home.