Wichita eagle., 1888-05-15

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 gathered
men from all the adjoining towns.
One morning the sentinel who was on duty
up in the watch tower hurried down to warn
the lovers that throughout the mountains, as
far as the eye could reach, beyond the rocks,
a cloud of warriors were fast approaching
the fortress. and well might it be supposed
that Moordorn in body was about TO fall
upon the castle. The daughter of the chief
on hearing this turned as pale as death. The
knight in a loud voice called for his arms,
and all was astir In the camp. The soldiers
rushed out in tuInult from their quarters,
the chiefs gave their orders, the portcullises
were lowered, the drawbridge raised and the
towers were crowded with archers.
A few hours later the assault began: the
castle with Justice might well be called i'm
pregnable. Only by storm could the Chris
tians make themselves masters of it, only by
storm could it be taken from them. Its de-
tenders resisted from one to ten assaults.
The Moors then changed their tactics, sur
rounded the fort, and resolved to force the
besieged 10 surrender by famine.
Famine eventually made horrible ravages
among the Christians, still they yielded not,
aid 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 impatient for
success, resolved upon a midnight attack,
which proved to be a furious one The re-
sistance was desperate, the shock terrible
During the fray, the Moorish chief, with
brow cleft open by an AK stroke, fell into the
moat below from the tower heights which he
had scaled. At the same time the knight,
who had just encountered him in hand to
hand fight, fell mortally wounded.
The Christians wavered and retreated 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 a supernatural force
which came TO her with despair and the re-
aliration of danger, she dragged him TO tho
court. There she pressed upon hidden
spring, and through the opening which wss
thus disclosed in the rock she soon disap-
peared within, carrying with her her precious
charge and proceeded in her descent until
she reached the bottom of the cave.
When toe knight returned to his senses he
cast about hirn look full of bewildered sur
prise, and cried, II am thirstyi / am burn
ing DyingF and then fell into that de-
lirium which is so often the precursor Of
death. From his parched lips. through
which wheezed his scanty breathing, only
came these words: Il am thirsty! Wateri
water wateYn
The girl knew that her subterranean re-
treat had an exit leading to the valley,
through which flows the river. This valley
and its vicinity were closel. guarded by the
Arabs, who after having taken possession Of
the. fortress. were on the alert for the
Christian chief and bis lady love, wishing to
Stake in their blood their thirst for eIter-
miration.
However, the beautiful Moor hosi:ated not
q moment, Taking the helmet Of the dying
man. she gEded like a shadow through the
thick shrubbery which covered the mouth Of
che cave and noiselessly Stole down 10 the
river bank Already had she taken the
water already was size Fastening beck 10 tie
side Of her lover. when there resounded
whistle. and cry Of anguish Was heard The
Moorish warriors who were on guard around
the fortress had dispatched their arrows in
the direction where TIE foliage seemed 70
move. The beautiful, brave girl, wounded
unto death. dragged herself 20 the mouth Of
the cave; thea sooA Joined her lord
he, on SEEING her thus hAshed IN her own
blood, recovered consciousness, and IN that
short moment recognized the hideousoeSs Of
the sin he vas 60 cruaily expiatns. Raising
lis eyes 70 heaven. hs took tee water which
bis beloved hAn6ed him, and vssaout carry
Ing il to his lips asked II hse: 'VVOuiGst csoa
Be Christians Dost thoa wish 70 Be Of
my faith. ana z I be saved, be saved VITA
neF' Toe Moorish g1fl, Who had fallen 10
TIE ground faintins through loes a blood,
made slightly eoquiscent nossoo Wiz Gar
shapeiy head, upon which the Eisne poured
the reseoeratine waters Of harEErn a. he
same arue invuairg she raz0e Of sne Al
powerful
On the following dey tn vs-y DEis.ss ~Sos
had struck the fatai blow saw tzaces q hidsd{
IRON shs<s<ertark % The osTe VkgrSa 6S
'ound the Sodaes q tbs CaEssr cAssR Grc |
The Noo-ish gtrf. a,d 50 !: - woo- SD
,omss IA He dad des6zsstc sza1r = ne
iness sbouesAs 81 forsEvss II FisUot-Tsps
sted from tee Spanish OF Grs.av Beofas- !
.or The New osh~w FcssEps y oDGs !