The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1899-02-23

Curse me, or pray for me- and the
knight, flor ] slew herr"
While Don Gabriel still grovclled on the
earth, and while the page stood yet re-
garding him with terror. there came to the
ears OF both the shouts of soldiers
mingled With the roar of fireiocIs, and,
as three or four crOssbow shafts ratified
against the sides of the pyramid, there
were visible in the moonlight as MANY
figures OF men running among the ruins,
now leaping over, now darling around the
fragments, as il flying for their lives from
party OF armed men, who were seen
rushing after them on the square, The
knight rose, bewiIdered, ard, as if in the
instinct OF protection, again grasped the
hand OF the page
Immediately The party of purst1ers rush-
ed up to the pair, one OF whom paused,
while the others, in obedience to his com
mand, continued the chase, ever and
anon sending bolt after the fugitives.
"On, and spare not, ye knavesp cried
Sandoval, for it was this cavalier who
now stood at the side Of the knight of
| Rhodes. con, and shooti on and shoot!
and see that We bring me the head of the
Moor. Ohio my merry little pager he
| cried, regarding .Jacinto; you have been
playing Sir Quimichin, Sir Rat, and Sir
spy A cunning little brat, faith; but
wen catch thy villain father, notwith-
standngw
The page bowed his head and sobbed.
but was silent; and Don Gabriel raIiy-
ing his confused spirits little, said
81 know not what you mean, senior. We
are no spies, but very miserable peni-
tents"
80, sir knight, crave your pardon -
said Sandoval, without noticing the &c
centric portion Of his confession; al meant
not to intTude upon your secrecy, but to
catch Abdalla, the deserter; OF whom.
and OF whose rogueries, not doubling that
this boy has full know ledge, l must beg
your permission to conduct him to the
General"
Surely" said Calavar mildly, eff Jacinto
have offended, | will not strive to screen
him from examination, but only from
punishment. | consent you shall lead
him to CorteZ; and l will myself accom-
pany you"
at is enough, noble knight, if thou wilt
thyself condescend to conduct him." said
the cavalier; whereby | shall be left i'm
freedom TO follow more urgent duty"
Don Amador de Leste, in search of TIM
knight, had rambled through the streets.
and following, very naturally, the only
path with which he was acquainted, soon
found himself issuing from that gate NV
which he had entered from Tlascala. The
/ domination Of the Spaniards had inter
rupted many OF the civil, as well as the
and, with their freedom, departed thai
necessity and habit OF vigilance which
had formerly thronged their portals with
watchmen. He wandered about. lost in
his musings, until made sensible by the
elevation of the moon that he had tres
passed upon the hour of midnight. Rous-
ed by this discovery from his reveries' he
| returned upon his path, and had arrived
within view OF the gate, when he was
arrested by the sudden appearance of
tour men, running towards him at rapid
gait, and presenting to his vision the flo
ures OF Indian warriors No sooner had
these fugltives approached near enough
TO perceive an armed cavalier intercept-
ing the road, than they paused, uttering
| many quick and, to him. incomnrehenss
sioie ordinations. But, though he I'M
derstood not their language, he was ad-
monished by their actions Of the neces-
sity OF drawing his sword and defending
himself from attack; for the foremost
hesita ting no longer than TO give instrmc,
tons 70 his followers, Instantly advanced.