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


 When the customary courtesies and words of greeting had passed between Califia and the Emperor the Queen of California speaking in strong and determined voice said: "Ye mighty men, ye princes knights and warriors here assembled know ye this-I am the Queen of great country, in which is an abundance of gold and precious stones. I am of the proud est and most ancient lineage and my honor is without stain. was once a great and victorious warrior But, alas fortune and ambition brought me to these shores, where, instead of taking many captives. I am a captive myself. Now, by the great goodness of the Emperor am permitted to return to my native land. And I would return there as. a bride. Give me, therefore, as a husband good knight, knight of equal lineage with myself, one to whom I can look up; no dabbler in the art of war. And this knight shall be my king and the King of California"
 The Byzantine Emperor bethought him. and. selecting from the throng of his at tendants a young man of great strength and great comeliness of personal warrior tried and true--he took him by the hand and led him to Queen Califia, saying: 'oh, great Queen whose prowess and whose glory fills the world, think not upon your recent misfortunes Heresfis my cousin, the Lord Talamque, a Kings son and worthy of all preferment."
 Califia looked at Talamque, and, in sooth he was good and powerful knight and one whose frank expression of coun- tenance showed that he was worthy of the trust sa Queen Califia, after scanning the knight for time. reached out her hand and said: T am satisfied. You shall be m, husband, and together will we reign ir the delectable land" There happened td be in her presence there another knishi of good lineage and of great valor,. tho good Knight Maneli who had met s.fh1 | Queens sister Liota in battle before th4 | city and had fallen in love with her, all | though she had fought him sore and h l never had seen her except upon the field of battle. So Maneli steppei rward. an said: "Oh, Queen of Califor thou wh
 
 gems if it be your pleasure, I, also woul return with my brother, Talmaaue, tI your far-off country I have seen an l loved your sister Liota Does it acror ] with the wishes of Your Majesty that 1 should become her husband and retur with her to California, never more tE I leave that strand?' a l. | Liota had been summoned to atten Califia when the Queen first was take l captive, and was now in attendance Il the great hall of the palace. s
 Shall this man have his wish, Liota :I said Caliia.
 Liota, blushing. cast down her eyes--f( though fighter she was a woman--ar replied, "Yes." ske @7r
 Then the two armies were paraded b fore the walls of the city, and from tl| ranks of the knights defenders advancd men who saw in the ranks of Qued Califia's Amazons some damsel whoI they were willing to take to wife. Ind it happened that while Queen Califia all her subjects went back from the siege Constantinople defeated they went ba stronger than they came. For they tod back many husbands with them, and tl Island of California was. thereafter. land where men ruled and not wohnsIt As for Amadis of Gaul. that King, thI knight, that great warrior. he went with his adventures-and many of theI did he have as strange and as untI lievable as his adventure with Queen Cd 1 fla. | Vf | Next weeks one-page classic will Ez) Prince Ahmed; or, the Pilgrim of LoYI by Washington Irving. e xI3