The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-11-20
SURRENDER.
A Story of Granada.

"
<Now that a terrible plague is devas-
tating Spain, and the sympathy of the
world is going out to that stricken, but
| yet romantic country, q sketch of an
incident of another plague in the his
| tory of that land Of chiyalry, music.
and song, will bring our readers near
er to the sufferingo of that people.
The incident deals with the days of
the final overthrow of the Moors. who
for seven hundred years overran Spain,
and were finally driven out of that
country in the latter part of the 18th
century.
The Spanish hosts had swept every
thing before therni and now, of all
Grenada's proud fortrcsses, only one
remained in the hands OF the disap-
pointed Moslems. With wear heart,
| King Almanzor had felt his much-lov-
ed power crumbling from his grasp.
Day by day were the conquering hordes
advancing nearer, and when, almost in
! despair, he gathered all the trusty
warriors and withdrew to his strong
hold of Alphuara, he felt that the day
Of glory, the hour of Granada's pride
was departed forever.
Day by day, with sickening heart, he
saw his .bravest men falling around
him. and yet he was powerless to save
them. The thought-was widest
agony!
Meanwhile the Christian triumphed.
Indeed it would seem us if the MOslem
| sway, SO ruthlessly exercised for long
| centuries, was about to receive its
death-blow, and that the great God,
tolerant SO long, was about to destroy
| with fire and sword the wicked people
who had laid their impious hands upon
the holy sepulchrc.
Outside of the walls of the fated city
the Spanisi, army Toasted, in all the
pride of victory. For two long days
the song and dance had enlivened the
hearts OF the stern warriors, Scared
| and scanned with many battles though
they were.
On the morning Of the third day,
/ Don Aiphonso. the Spanish leader,
| wearied with care and toll, lay upon
/ his rude camp-bcdstead. AT his feet.
1 on low stools, were two of his favorite
generals. Within call, were faithful
retainers and trusty seneschals ready,
at Il word from their wonderful leader
to do or dare anything; for great was
the power of this man, whose faith in
God had taught him how TO smite the
scoffers at his power.
Don Alphonso had been thinking of
the strife and carnage that must dawn
upon the morrow. For he had given
his word to the royal Isabella, that the
hooking crescent should be torn from
Il mir a rot and tnuvnY aud fhof hinh nvor
| the redeemed land should float for
evermore the banner of Heaven, the
cross of salvation.
Yet, so well was the uncompromis-
ing reputation of the Moslcms known,
that a desperate struggle was antici-
pated, for the ~beleagurcd hosts would
o surrender, and thus it was that
Alphonso prepared for battle. Through
out the camps were heard the busy
notes of preparation. Steel flashed in
the sunlight. bucklers were examined,
| girths were frightened, and high above
all q shrill bugle-note would now and
then pierce the MONDAY stiffness. All
were impatient for the coming battle,
and hearts beat more quickly. and eyes
flashed iierc Jly, for Spanish power was
then ut its height. and Alphonso was
everywhere victorious.
As the bugle-note rang out q wild
peal, AlphOnso started from his couch,
his hand instinctively seeking the
sword which lay beside him. II was
yet in his hand when the sentry enter
ed, and announced that u stranger
craved audience.
Before permission was granted, a
quick, firm tread was heard, and soon
u man of warlike mien and goodly
presence stood before the astonished
chieftain. Such abrupt entrance was
not ut all in accordance with the strict
etiquette Of Spanish camp life. and all
present gazed upon the intruder with
astonishment; while their leader. val
liant warrior though he was, viewed him
with anger, not unmixed with awe.
The stranger stood in the center of the
wide apartment, and gazed around
him with a peculiar expression of stern,
mysterious meaning. He was o tall,
dark man, of majestic manner and
kingly bearing. The proportions of
his figure were fully concealed by the
heavy Spanish cloak he wore, but the
fire and passion slumbering in his soul
found vent in his eyes, and burned
there, clear wells Of intense feeling.
The keenness OF his glance as he sur
veyed, not only that bare room, but
the faces of every One in it, escaped
not the quick eyes of Alphonso.
For the instant, IN impression was
awakened in his mind, that this
strange. stern man. came with no good
intentions toward the Spanish camp.
Nothing of all this, however, was dis
cernible in voice or gesture, as the
hero OF many a battlefield, still toying
with his keen Damascene blade, babe
his visitor approach.
With a quick. majestic stride the in
truder stood before the low couch of
the Spanish leader, and rather haught-
lily gazed upon him with folded arms
and unbending brow. Keenly survey
ing his dark face, Don Alphonso broke
the silence by asking, sternly:
"Who are you, sirp and how do you
enter our camp unannounced and un-
calledp"
Then il was that the pale cheek
Il 0naha,i for an instant In rasumo o~osn