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

bravest as I believe, and handsomest among them, was Esplandian. Oh, my 'Queenl he was the bravest and the hand somest man l shall ever see again. Rare, elegant, grand was he, as if our own gods lad fashioned him.
 My faithful friend" replied the Queen. "there are no such men. Think not to impose upon me-"
 Nay, my Queen, I speak but the truth. The sight of him alone can properly prove his excellence"
 Queen Califia unused a moment and then replied: Tt may be there are such men If a sight of one of them will convince me-then such a sight will I have. l will not fight such a man until l have seen and talked with him. Go thou back to the city. Tell the King thereof that I require safe conduct to the place on the morrow that I may see the son of Anna dis.
 Amadis was in the midst of his council when the messenger arrived. He laughed when the message was delivered. Women may be conquered other than by the sword" he said, "how seems this matter .o you, my nobles?" By all means let the great Queen appear" replied the council, i've are anxious to see the most wonderful woman in all the world"
 When the messenger returned and told Calfa of the acceptance of her proposi- ton by the Christian council. the feminine part of the great Queen began to take the sway, and she worried all night as to what sort of costume she should wear tor would look the best in) when she ap- cared before the heroes of Constanti- nople. At first she thought she would go in armour and strike terror to the hearts of the Christians. Then she said to her. self: Men best like women in the habili- rents of their sex. I am a warrior, 1t IS true, and a mighty one. But also I am a woman"
 The result of the Queens cogitations was that when morning dawned she ar rayed herself not In the panoply of war, but in her best and most gorgeous feni- nine apparel. She put on costly robes and placed upon her head a great crown set thick with such jewels as could be found nowhere but in California Then she mounted her strange beast and
  defenders received her with fitting cere- iuony, and all the nobility and knighthood of the capital came out to meet her. When her eyes fell upon Esplandian she cried out: "Ah, gods, l knew not there was such a man!'
 But the Queen was angry with herself for feeling such a sentiment. She knew that she must go quickly back to the camps or the ships or her warrior nature would be swallowed up in her nature fem mine. Califia felt that she was made to lead armies. not to love men. So, stern- | ly and calmly, she addressed Esplandian Knight of the Great Serpent, perceive that you possess two qualities to an ex. tent such as never before have I seer possessed by man-namely, beauty and courage. This day shall you find in tht field worthy foo in the person of tht Sultan of Nquia. As for me, shall fint . foe worthy of my sword in your father Amadis of Gaul. If from this comba we both come back alive we will speal further together"
 Esplandian was astonished, no less b. the words of the Queen than by her ap pearance. Never before had he seen sucl . woman. Much was he impressed b! her beauty, but she seemed so strange He bowed until his plumes nearly swep the ground and answered that both hi father and himself would feel honored t meet in combat the great Queen of Cali fornia and her chosen champions So was arranged.
 Amadis came forth to do battle wit Cai.ua and Esplandian to fight with tn Sultan of Liquia. The combat took plac in full sight of the two hostile armieI Esplandian and the Sultan of Liquia wer pretty evenly matched, but Caliha SC upon Amadis with such fury that sh unhorsed him and pinned him, by . thrus of her lance through his armor, to tn } ground But Califia saw that Amadi . was not putting forth all his strengtl She saw that he was loath to do hi !, mightiest.
 } How now, Amadis," she cried whe she had unhorsed him; ''do you disdai } to fight me for all your skill an strengthr'
 ' "Queen caltia,'' replied Amedis, "lt