Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-06-01


en- upon her. When they had met, and
he found her superior to his eXpecta-
tions. he could not resist the seduc-
zion of her charms, and fell madly in
love with her, whom he knew could
never be his.
For months and months the knight
pOndered over schemes most daring
and wild. At times he imagined
means by which to break the barriers
which separated them; at others he
strove as earnestly to forget her; now
he decided in favor OF one plan and
then for another entirely different,
until one day, assembling his broth
ers In arms and soldiers, he sent for
his warriors, and with the greatest
secrecy made all the necessary prepa-
rations for an unexpected attack up
on the fortress where was kept his
beauteOus one, the object of his in.
sane love.
From the outset of the expedition
all believed the only motive which in.
spired the knight was a yearning to
revenge himself of all that the Arabs
had made him suffer during his cap
tivity.
The real cause OF the enterprise.
however, did not once occur to any.
Who, indeed, would have thought
that an expedition in which so many
valiant Christians persisted was tC
help toward the qualification of ar
unworthy passion.
=
The knight became intoxicated With
the love which he had excited in the
breast of the beautiful Moor, and
neither lent an ear to the counsels o.
his friends. nor needed the murmurs
and complaints of his disheartene0
soldiers. In vain did they plead with
their commander to leave the walls,
as it was probable the Arabs would
attack them with great force as soon
as they recovered from their panic,
Indeed, it happened just as they had
predicted. The Moorish chief gather
ed men from all the adjoining towns.
One morning the sentinel who was
on duty up in the watch tower hur-
ried down to warn the lovers that
throughout the mountains. as far as
the eye could reach, beyond therOcks,
cloud of warriors were fast approach
ing the fortress, and we'll might it be
supposed that MOordom IN a body
was about to fall upon the castle.
The daughter of the chief on hearing
this turned as pale as death. The
knight in loud voice called for his
arms, and all was astir in the camp
The soldiers rushed out IN q tumulU
from their quarters. the chiefs gave
their orders, the pOrtcullises were low
cred, the raWbridge raised and the
towers were crowded with archers.
A few hours later the assault
began; the castle with justice
might we'll be called impreg-
nable. Only by storm could the
Christians make themselves masters
OF it, only by storm could it be taken
from them. It's defenders resisted
from one to ten assaults. The MoOrs
then changed their tactics. surround
ed the fort, and resolved to force the
besieged to surrender by famine.
Famine eventually made horrible
ravages among the Christians, still
they yielded not, and those who had
most bitterly reprOved the conduct
of their leader, knowing that his life
and honor were at stake, swOre to
perish In his defense. The MOOrs i'm
patient for success, resolved upon a
midnight attack, which proved to be
a furious one. The resistance was
desperate, the shock terrible.
During the fray the Moorish chief,
with brow cleft open by an ak stroke,
feil into the moat below from the
tower heights which he had scaled At
the same time the knight, who had
lust encountered him IN a hand to
hand fight, fell mOrtally wounded.
The Christians wavered and retreat
ed. AS quick as thought the Moorish
girl rushed to her lover who lay dying
on the ground, and bending over him,
seized him in her arms. Impelled by
q supernatural force which came to
her with despair and the realization
Of danger, she dragged him to the
court. There she pressed upon hid
den spring, and through the opening
which was thus disclosed in the rock
she soon disappeared within, carrying
with her her precious charge and pro-
ceeded in her descent until she reach
ed the bottom of the cave.
When the knight returned to his
senses he cast about him a look full Of
! bewildered surprise, and cried, 81 am
thirsty! I am burning! Dylng!" and
then fell into that delirum which is so
often the precursor of death. From
his parched lips, through which
Wheezed his scanty breathing, only
came these words: 81 am thirstyl
Waterl waterl water!"
The girl knew that her subterraneau
| retreat had an exit leading to the val.
ley through which flows the river.
This valley and its vicinity were close
| ly guarded by the Arabs, who. after
taking possession of the fortress, were
/ on the alert tor the Christian chic
/ and his lady love, wishing to slake IN
their blood their thirst for eLterminar
/ ton.
However. the beautiful Moor hest
/ tated not a moment Taking the he'll
! met of the dying man. she glided like
| a shadow through the thick shrubbery
! which covered the mouth Of the cave
/ and noiselessly stole down to the
river bank Already had she takeE