The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-04-05
CHAPTER II.
THE AMBUSH, THE STRIFE AND THE CAP.
TuRE.

men pursued his circuitous and soli.
tary path back to the city. He was
now in dark and entanglsd hollow
covered with brakes and bushes, from
amidst which tall forest trees arose in
frequent intervals, gloomy and breath.
less IN the still morning air. As,
emerging from tins jungle, II so it may
De called, the towers ot Grenada gleam.
ed upon him, q human countenance
peered from the shade, and Almamen
started to see two dark eyes fixed up.
on his own. ,....
He halted abruptly and put his
hand on his dagger, when low, sharp
whistle from the apparition before
MIN was answered around, behind,
and, ere he could draw breath, the
Israelite was beoirt by q group ol
Moors in the garb OF peasants, Ia.
"Well, my masters" said Almamen;
calmly, as he encountered the wild,
savage countenances that glared mp.
on him, "think you that tbereis aught
to fear from the solitary santonf"
at is the magician" whispered one
man to his neighbor; "let him pass. I"
May" was the answer, "taEe HIM
before the captain; 1--WE have orders
to seize on all we meet"
This coun sel prevailed; and gnash.
ing his teeth with secret rage, Alma
men found himself hurried along by
the peasants through the thickest
part OF the copse. At length the pro.
cession stopped in q semicircular
patch OF rank sward, in which several
head OF cattle were quietly grazing,
and yet O more numerous troop OF
peasants reciined upon the grass.
"Who have we hereH" asked a&voice
which started back the blood from
Almamen's cheek; and q Moor OF com.
mandinQ presence rose from the midst
OF his brethren. "By the beard OF the
prophet, it is the false santonl What
dost thou from Grenada at this hourf"
"Noble Muza," returned Almamen,
who, though indeed amazed that one
whom he had imagined his victim was
thus unaccountably become his judge,
retained at least the semblance OF
composure, "my answer Ia to be given
only co my lord the king it Is his com.
mand I obey"
Thou art aware" said Muza,
"that the life is forfeited
without appealS Whosoever inmate
OF Grena Ia is found without the walls
between sunset and sunrise dies the
death OF q traitor and deserter."
"rhe servants OF the Alhambra are
excepted" answered the Israeiite,
without changing liis scountenance.
"Ahl" muttered Muza, as q
painful and sudden thought
seemed to cross him, "can it
be possible that the rumor OF the city
hath truth, and that the monarch
OF Grenada is in treaty with the foef"
He mused little; and then, motion
ing the Moors to withdraw, he con.
tlnued aloud, "Almamen, answer me
truly; hast thou sought the Cnristian
camp with any message from the
kingY"
81 have not"
cart thou without the walls on the
mission OF the klngf" -. .-.
"If l be so / am n traitor to the
king should l reveal his secret"
"I doubt thee much, canton" said
Muza, after q pause, 81 know thee 70.
my enemy, and do believe thy coun.
sells have poisoned the kings ear
against me, his people, and his duties.
But no matter, thy life is spared
awhile: thou remainest with US, and
with us shalt thou return TO the
king"
"But, noble Muza--" .t.
al have said guard the santop;
mount him upon one OF our chargers;
be shall abide with us in our ambush. !"
While Almamen chafed in vain at
mis- arrest, all IN the Christian camp
was yet still. At length, as the sun
began TO lift himself above the noun.
tains, first q murmur and then a din,
betokened warlike preparations.
Several parties oil horse, under gallant
and experienced leaders, formed them
selves in different quarters, and de.
parted in different ways. on expedi.
tions of forage or IN the hope OF skir.
mish with the straQgling detachments
OF the enemy. OF these the best
equipped was conducted ny the Mar.
ouis de Villena and his gallant brother
Don Alonzo de Pacheco. in this
troop, too, rode many Of the beat
blood OF Spain; for ia that chivalric
army the officers We'd with each other
who should most eclipse the meaner
soldiery in feats OF personal valor,
and tht name OF Viliena drew around
him the eager and ardent spirits that
pined at the general inactivity OF Fer,
dinand's polite campaign.
The sun, now high In heaven, glitter
ed on the splendid arms and gorgeous
pennons OF Villena's company, al
leaving the camp behind. it enterea q
rich and wooded district that skirts
the mountain barrier OF the Vega; the
brilliancy OF the day; the beauty o
the scene, the hope and excitement o
enterprise, animRted the spirits OF th,
whole party. In these expedition
strict discipline was often abandoned
from the certainty that 1t could b,
resumed at need. Conversation, gay
and loud. nterspersed with snatchei
OF song, was heard among the soldiery
and IN the nohler group that rod,
with Villeua there was even less o
the proverbial gravity OF Spaniards
Vow, Marquis, said Don Estevo,
de Suzon, what wager shall be be
tween US az TO which lance this da,
robs Moorish beauty OF the Creates
number OF its worshipers?"
my falchion against your jennet,
said Don Alonzo de Pachecn, takin.
up the challenge.
Agreed. But, talking vi beauty
were you in the queens pavilion last
night, noble marquisf 1t was enriched
by new maiden, whose strange and
sudden apparition none can account
Tor. Her eyes would have eciipsed tn,
fatal glance oi Cava; and had l beer
Rodrigo, | might have lost q crown
for her SMILE"
"Aye," said yillena, 81 heard o
her beauty; some hostage from one o
the traitor Moors, with whom th.
king (tbe saints bless himl) oargainl
Tor the city. They tell me the prime,
incurred the queens grave rebuke fol
his attentions to the maiden,
"And this Inorning saw that fear
I'll A l. ~. - Il