Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-07-17

day she came to my inn, attended by two
heathenish Ethiopians, whom l have
heard palmers from the Holy Land say
are kept by the Panims-God's ban be
theirs l no sooner beheld her than l
recognized her to be the sorceress who,
three years ago, brought on me the dis
ease by which | am crippled. l could
tell her among thousand. The curse
of God light on her for a child of the
evil one," and the witness ground his
teeth together and glanced fercely at the
prisoner. A low murmur of approval,
at first faint and whispered, but gradually
swelling into confused shout, rose on
the air as he ceased.
''IIe is perjured wretch" exclaimed
the prisoner with energy, "whom my
servants detected in an attempt to rob
my poor effects; hence his malice and
this charge"
"Silence, woman" sternly interposed
the Judge, 'or else confess. Will you,
"a child of Belial, malign Christian
man"
The testimony for the publican had
worked a complete charge in the fuc
tuating feelings of the mob toward the
prisoner, and the words of the Judge
were answered back by shout of ap-
proval. The prisoner was seen to turn
deathly pale. She did net reply, how
ever, to the question, but shook her head
despondingly, as if conscious that all
hope was over.
"Lcad her away" hoarsely growled
the mob, while the dense mass of people
swayed to and fro in the excitement, as
if they would have rushed on the de-
fenceless victim.
"Again ask thee, woman, wilt thou
confessW
She shook her head despondingly,
buried her face in her hands and muir
INJURED something; perhaps it was a
PRAYER The mob burst once more into
commotion.
"Where are the servants of this
woman9 let them be put on the rack, "
said the judge.
"They have escaped" answered an
official.
"Vengeance for the sufferers by her
incantationsn hoarsely growled voice
from the mob.
The Judge no longer hesitated, but
yielding to the popular current as well
as his own prejudices, sentenced her to
be burned at high noon of that very day.
A wild shout of exultation rose from the
frenzied mob as the sentence was pro-
nounced, but over the din swelled the
fearful cry. "To the stake with her
away with the sorceress."
1t was few hours earlier in the same
day when a noble knight sat in hostlery
of the little seaport town of -. He
was of singularly imposing cast of coun,
tenance. His features were of the true
Norman outline, with lofty intellectual
brow, shaded by locks of the richest
chestnut hue. His cheek was embrowned
by Syrian sun until it was of the dark
est olive color, but the clear white of his
forehead, which had been protected
from exposure by his helmet, betrayed
the original purity of his complexion.
His form was tall and commanding. He
sat apparently absorbed in thought, but
was aroused from his roverie by the en-
trance of retainer.
care the horses readyW
eyes, my lord" said the man.
"We will mount into the saddle at
once then; how far did they say it was
to Bourdonnis?"
"Six leagues" "
awe shall reach it before nightfall
lead on.
The party which set forth from the inI
was gallant sight to behold. knights
squires, men-at-arms and other retainer
sweled the escort of the young count t.
the number of nearly four-score, whilt
the pennons waving in the air, and thu
occasional sound of trumpet gave {
liveliness to the escort which attracted
the attention of the passers- by of every
rank and sex, and drew many sigh o
envy from them. But who might pre-
tend to be the equal of the renowned
Count Garonne, crusader of untar
nished fame, gallant still in the flower
of his youth and the lord of half a score
of castles scattered over the wide do
main Of France.
At the head of the proud array rodt
the count himself, conversing gaily witt
u knight at his side, whom he familiarly
called cousin.
SAY, by st. Dennis!" said the count
she is divinity such as even our sunny
provence doth not afford. Such eyes
such hair, and then, by my faith, such {
voicel 1t panied my heart to part from
my sweet Zilah-but she would have i
so-and so she comes in company witt
Father Ambrose and score of my bes
knights. Her maidenly modesty die
tated this, and l was forced to submit
We were separated, however, by tina
heathenish storm, and | suppose he
galley put into Genoa"
IL long to see your princess, nor do
wonder at your love, since she freed yol
from Moslem prison. am all impa
tience to behold her-but look at tht
knave coming over yonderh hill. Heride
like the flend himself"
SAY and by st. Dennis he is black
amoor; scarcer thing here than il
Syria"
Even while they spoke the horsemar
rapidly approached, and before man!
minutes drew in the rein of his foamine
steed at the side of the count, whom ht
appeared to know. The recognition wa
mutual. The man instantly spoke in
strange tongue, and with violent ges
tures while, with an agitated voice, th
count appeared to question him. But
few minutes had elapsed, however, be
fore the count turned around to hi