The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-04-05
LEILA,
THE SIEGE OF GRENADA.
sY SIR EDWARD BuLwsR LYTroS.
BooK:iI.
CHAPTER I-Continned.

| CHAPTER I-Continued.
Politic and cold. .blooded as was the
temperament OF the great Ferdinand,
he had yet the imperious and naughty
nature OF a prosperous and long-de-
scended king; and he bit his lip in deep
displeasure at the tone OF the dicta-
torial and stately stranger.
"Thou usest plain language, my
friend" said he; my words can be as
rudely spoken. Thou art in my pow
er, and canst return not cave at my
permission"
81 have your royal word, sire, for
free entrance and sale egress," ans.
wered Aims amen. "Break it and Gre.
NADIA is with the Moors till the Darro
runs red with the blood OF her heroes,
and her people strew the wales as the
leaves in autumn"
"Art thou, then, Of Jewish faith?"
asked the king. "li thou art not,
wherefore are the outcasts OF the world
so dear TO theef"
"My fathers were OF that creed, roy
al Ferdinand; and il myself desert
their creed, do not desert their cause.
Oh, king! are my terms scorned or &C.
ceptedS"
III accept them; provided. first, that
thou obtainest the exile or death Of
Muza; secondly, that within two weeks
OF this date, thou bringest me, along
with the chief councillors OF Grenada,
the written treaty OF the capitulatiol
and the keys OF the city. Do this and
though the sole king in Chrlstendom
who dares the hazard, offer to the
Israelites throughout Andalusia the
common laws and rights OF citizens OF
Spain; and to thee ] will accord such
dignity as may content thy ambition"
The Hebrew bowed reverently, and
and drew from his breast scroll,
which he placed on the table before
the king.
This writing, mighty Ferdinand,
COubhInb tuO VI
"How, knave! wouldst have us COM
NIT our royal signature to conditions
with such as thou art. to the chance
of the public eye' The kings word is
the kings bondp'
The Hebrew took up the scroll
with impertnrbable composure. "My
cnild!" SAID he; twill your majesty
summon back my childf We would de-
part" .
"a sturdy msndicant this, by the
Virgin!" muttered the king; and then,
speaking aloud, "Give me the paper,
l will scan it,"
Running his eyes hastily over the
words. Ferdidand paused moment,
and then drew toward him the imple-
mants of writing, signed the scroll, and
returned it to Almamen.
The Israelite kissed it thrice with
Oriental veneration, and replaced it
in his breast.
"And how, stranger, said he, grave
III, show can ] trust that man who
thus distrusts one king and sells an.
other?
"Oh, kingl" replied Almamen lac
customed from his youth to com
mune with and command the posses
sors OF thrones yet more absolutely
"Oh kngl II thou believest me actuat-
cd by personal and selfish interests in
this our compact, thou hast but to
make my service minister to my inter
est, and the lore of human nature will
tell thee that thou hast won q ready
submissive slave. But IL thou think
est have avowed sentiments less ab.
ject, and developed qualities higher
than those OF q mere bargainer for
sordid power, oughtst thou not to re-
joice that chance has thrown into
thy way one whose intellect and ,facul
ties may be made thy tool? II l be-
tray another, that other IL my dead.
ly toe. Dost not thou, the lord OF
armies, betray thine enemyf the Moor
is an enemy bitterer to myself than to
/ thee. Because / betray an enemy.
am unworthy to serve friend? IL
I, q single man, and q stranger to the
Moor, can yet command the secret OF
palaces, and render vain the counsels
of armed mer, have / not In that at
tested that am one OF whom q wise
king can maze an able servantf"
"Thou art a subtle reasoner, my
triend," said ferdinand, smiling gent.
~. "Peacs 60 with tbeel our confer
epce for this time is ended. What
ho, Perez"
The attendsnt appeared.
"Sire, you have been obeyed."
| Conduct this strange TO the guard
who led hum through the camp. He
quits us under the same protection.
FAREWELL Yet stay; thou art assured
that Muza Ben Abil Gazan is in the
prisons OF the Moor,"
Yes"
| BLESSED be the virginI''
"Thou hast heard our conference,
Father Tomas7" said the king, an.
xiously, when the Hebrew had with,
drew. ...
81 have, son."
"Did thy veins freeze with horror?'
"Only when my son signed the
scroll. 1t seemed to me then that
saw the cloven foot OF the tempter."
"Tush, iatherl the tempter would
have been more wise than to reckon
upon o faith which no ink and no
/ parchment can render valid, IL the
Church absolve the compact. Thou
| understandest me, father7"
al do. i know your pious heart
and welLiudging mind"
Thou vert right resumed the
king, niusinRly, when thou didst tel
us that these caitif Jews were waxing
strong in the fatness OF their sub
stance. They would have equal laws
the insolent blasphemers."
| "Son.p said the Dominican with
earnest adjuration. "God, who hath
prospered your arms and councils, will
require at your hands an account ol
the power intrusted 20 you. Shall
there be no difference between his
friends and his ioes--his disciples and
his crucitiersf"
Priest" said the king, laying his
hand on the monks shoulder, and
with saturnine smile upon his counte.
nance, where religion silent in this