The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-09-15


 pearls and her dense raven tresses all combined to make up a picture that caused Prince John to exclaim: By the scalp of Abrahaml Wonder Jewess must be the very model of that per- fection whose charms drove frantic the wisest king that ever lived" When Prince John had taken his seat the heralds made proclamation | and the trumpets sounded the onset. | Five knights. chosen by lot, came charging against the five challengers; and such was the skill or the good luck of the latter that four went down before them. and the fifth knight part :! ed fair with Brian de Bois- Guilbert. each breaking his spear on the armor | of his antagonist. Three more sets of knights entered the lists in succession | against the challengers. and though the success of the Templar and his | companions was not so complete as | in the first Joust, the advantage re- mained decidedly with their side. There was now pause In the tour | nament, uninterrupted except by the | voices of the heralds crying. Love of | ladiesl Splintering of lances! Stand forth gallant knights, fair eyes look | upon your deedsr"
 Then suddenly came a wild burst of Saracenic music, and as it ceased a single knight rode into the lists. His armor was of steel richly inlaid with | gold, and he bore on his shield the de- vice of young oak tree pulled up by the roots, with the single Spanish word 'Desdichado." signifying "Disinher- ited ."He was mounted on a gallant black horse. which he showed wonder full dexterfty in managing.
 The knight rode straight. up to the tent of BoissGuilbert and struck upon the Templar's shield with the sharp end of his lance so that it rang again, thus challenging that champion, not to ordinary combat, but to combat "'a outrance." or mortal combat. All were astounded by the audacfty of the disinherited knight-as he chose to be called--and none more than the haugh- ty Templar. The two knights having taken their places at either extremity of the lists, the trumpets were sound ed. Vanishing from their positions with the speed of lightning, they met in the centre of the lists with the shock of a thunderbolt. The lances burst into shivers to the very grasp, and each horse recoiled on his haunch- es. But the consummate skill and address of the cornbatants enabled them to keep their saddles, and. hay ing glared at each other for a moment with eyes that seemed to flash fire through the bars of their visors, each
 
 and returned to his former position at the extremities of the lists.
 In the second encounter. Bois-Guil- bert struck his antagonist fair in the centre of the shield with such force as to make him reel in the saddle and shiver the lance; but the Disinherited Knight changing his aim in full ca reer. struck the Templar on the visor of his helmet and the point of his lance kept hold of the bars. Yet, even at this disadvantage, the Templar sus- tained his high reputation and might not have been unhorsed had not the girths of his saddle burst. As 1t was,- horse and rider came rolling down in the dust.
 To extricate himself from his horse, to draw his sword and defy his antag- onist, was the work of moment with Brian de Bois Guilbert. The Disin- herited Knight also jumped to the ground and drew his sword But the marshals spurred their horses between the knights and reminded them that the rules of the tourney did not permit this species of combat.
 Brian de Bois-G -Guilbert was adjudged to have beens vanished. He withdrew to his tent. where he remained for the rest of the day in an agony of de- spair, shame and rage The victor backed his horse to the extremity of the lists and commanded a trumpet to sound a defiance to the other challeng- CTS.
 The gigantic Reginald Front-de- Beeuf, clad in sable armer and bearing on his white shield the device of black bulls head with the arrogant motto Cave, Adsum!" was the first to take the field. Both knights broke their lances fairly; but Front-de- Beeuf, who lost a stirrup in the encoun- ter, was adjudged to have had the worst of it.
 Philip of Malvoisin was unhelmeted by the stanger knight. Ralph de Vi- pont came next. He was unhorsed with such force that the blood gushed from his mouth and nose. De Grantmesnips steed becoming manageable so as to disturb his aim, the Disinherited Knight refused to take advantage of him and, raising his lance, passed the baron by without touching him. De Grantmesnn declined a second encounter and the Disinherited Knight was declared the victor amid the roaring applause of thousands and the praying of trumpets and proclaiming heralds.
 When the victorious knight was brought before the Prince to receive from him the reward of his valor he refused to doff his casque. saying that he had already explained to the her aids that, for the time being, he must remain unknown. A whisper arose among the train of the Prince. Per haps 1t is the King-perhaps 1t Is Richard Occur de Lion himself"
 John turned pale as death, and said hastily to those about him: "Walde- mar, de Bracy, brave knights and gen tlemen, remember your promise and stand by me-"
 There is no danger" replied Walde mar Fitzurse, think you the gigan- tic limbs of your fathers son could be contained in wonder armor? Rich ard is safe in an Austrian prison.
 Much relieved, the Regent said some complimentary words to the knight and reminded him that 1t now became his privilege to choose queen of love and beauty, who should preside over the tournament of the succeeding day. Riding around the lists the knight drew rein opposite the gallery where sat the Lady Rowena, and with the point of his lance deposited at her feet the golden circlet which Prince John had handed him.
 In the second days tournament, at which Rowena occupied throne oppo- site that of Prince John from which she awarded the prizes the principal event was the melee" in which fifty knights fought on side. The com bat was long and bloody; and in It. as in the jousts of the preceding day. the Disinherited Knight performed prodigies of valor,
 When the combat was drawing to a close and the lists were strewn with fallen horses. broken armor and wounded knights, the Disinherited and