The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-02-20

slantlnople and upon the pavements not living soul could be seen.
 The great Queen cried out. with a loud and terror-stricken voice: Now. the city IS taken, now do we of California ad- 'ance to conquest and glory!" Then she ordered scaling ladders to be brought, and sne and her amazons began the escalade CT the historic walls Califa thought it Was to be an easy conquest, but she had Tot counted upon her allies the griffins. Having killed every Christian in sight. these beasts now turned upon the Turks and began to catch them up in their claws, to drop them from the great heights and generally to turn upon the nfidel the war which they had waged be- lore with the Christians. So as the Pay nims mounted the walls of the city each one was grabbed up by a griffin, until confusion and terror reigned in their Tanks and they knew not which way to go. Queen Califla was mortified at the spectacle and cried out: "Oh, We gods whom l myself and my ancestors before me have worshiped, ye whose temples we have paved with gold, ye whose altars We have adorned with precious stones. why have ye left me to this disgrace7 You have made me disreputable before the world-I who thought to gain so much honor. Ye have brought my beloved island of California into disrepute."
 But the heather gods she called upon answered not, neither did they come to her relief. So the Queen ordered her Amazons to scale the walls, even if they were all killed in the attempt.
 Women she knew a griffin would not couch, and all the danger came from the lurking foe. These were only men, and Califia was confident of the prowess of her female warriors. When Califia and her Amazons began to scale the walls the defenders shot their lances and their ar LOWS with such good effect from the tow CTS and the vaults where they had taken refuge that, in spite of the golden armor of the Amazons, many were wounded and many were killed. The griffins also, be- coming infected with the rage of fight, were unmanageable and flew about, scorn- ling all control of their keepers. The whole battle was in confusion and Califa was at last reduced to the extremity of sending
 
 had thought to astonish with the might of her victorious arms. Especially was the Queen angered against the rebellious grif- fns. Send hither your men," cried she, ito help subdue these vile birds which have dared to disobeyi"
 The Moslems rushed from their camps and were quickly swarming upon the walls. But the fearful winged beasts turned upon them and they went back to their tents quicker than they came Califia saw that the assault was hopeless for the time being. at least Get your griffins back to their cagesl" she cried to | the keepers of the fell animals And after some trouble the flying terrors were lured or forced into the cages. It was a rather humbled and crestfallen queen whc that night met the chiefs of the Pagans in council
 | My coming here has only done you harm" she said, "so far. But let me I pray thee, bring you some good. To. morrow you, with all your forces, shal assault the walls while and my forces attack the gates of the city" So on ths morrow the Pagans assaulted the walls and before the gates appeared Califa and her Amazons. The Christions de | tended the walls with vigor, throwing down the Paynims as they mounted ant killing many. And as the dusky queer appeared before the treat gate the gat' was thrown open and forth issued hos in battle array, led by Norandel, half brother of Amadis of Gaul.
 Straight to Norandel rode Calfia an, the two warriors met with such a shocl that their lances were shivered. Thel they drew their swords and fought righ valorously, inficting upon each othe many cruel wounds. On either side tn followers of the queen and the knigh came forward. and there was a grea combat terrible to see. Soon the battl ceased everywhere except about tn spot where Califia and Norandel fought Califa ragged like lioness. and 1t 1 hardly credible. the story of the valian knights she slew. She unhorsed tn mighty noble of Constantinople wh came spurring to the rescue of Norande z and her strength and her skill in arm