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


 my duty, by the vows of my knight hood, to protect women-not to slaughter or harm them in, any way"
 They both stood on the ground at this time, and the words of Amadis only add ed to the fury of the Queen of Cali fornia.
 And am then" she cried, "a woman who needs the protection of a man?"
 Califia made her sword flash like light ming about the head of Amadis, and she struck him such blow that his shield was cleft in twain.
 But Amadis now thought that the time had come to teach this great woman war rior lesson. So he charged upon her with all his might She found no fault with his lack of energy in fighting after that. Bravely did the Queen struggle. but Amadis bore her down and held his swords point at her throat.
 Now yield ye. my prisoner!" he cried.
 And for the first time in her stormy life the Queen answered, Aye, that l do, for I can do no other.'
 Just at the moment when Queen Caliha surrendered to Amadis the Sultan of
 
 These two great captives were at once sent as presents to the Infanta Leonoria, daughter of the King of Byzantium and Emperor of the east. Most humliating was it, naturally. for this naughty Queen Of California to be sent as captive to any one-and the fact that she was sent as present, as one of the spells of war-to another woman did not improve her tenn per. But Leonoria received both the cap lives most graciously and set about heal .ag their wounds. Califia was no less sur pl ised at the beauty of Leonoria than she had been at the appearance of Esplan- dian. The courtiers told her that the In- fanta was betrothed to Esplandian. and, with a sigh, the great but captive Queen gave up all thoughts of ever possessing mat brave knight.
 Though the Sultan of Liquia and the | Queen of California had been defeated and were held for while as captives | -ney were treated with every mark of re- spect and, after a while, terms were made by which the hostile armies were to be withdrawn from bfore the walls and the Sultan and the Queen given their liberty. II would have been the wish of Califa that her conQueror, Amadis, should look upon her with kindly eyes. But Amadis already had his heart engaged to a bright oamsel from the misty islands of Britain. As to one thing Califa had made up her mind. No longer was there to be an Adamless Eden in the delectable land of California She had a higher idea of the mere man. than she had before one of me species had taken her prisoner.
 The Queen thought the matter over, and as she went in state about the great c,ty and as she was entertained at the court, she cast her eyes about-looking for husband. If she could bring back neither victory nor glory from the walls of Constantinople at least she would .ring back husband. Finally she an- nounced to the Grecian court Chat Gree ian court which was the court of the eastern empire and had it's resting place by the waters of the Golden Horn) that she desired to marry--she and her Ama- zons would marry hereafter. She had seen the wonders of St. Sophia. she had heard the theology expounded by the priests and announced herself as willing to
 te converted. Her old heather gods to whom she had prayed had deserted her tefore Constantinople. Therefore. Queen Califa became Christian.
 After having enjoyed for some weeks the hospitality of Leonoria, and having assisted at her wedding with the good knight Esplandian, she turned her
 thoughts again to her home in that far ! off island of California. Then 1t was } that Califia sent to the Emperor of the East a message that she was about to depart with her expedition to the land from Whence she came. Her ships were ready, she told him, and her troops and beasts in a fit state to stand the long sea tourney. She desired that she might take formal leave of His Majesty before
 departing. So the Emperor. surrounded by all his
 knights and noblss. conspicuous among whom were Amadis of Gull and tn young Esplandian. met Queen Califia and , her maids of honor. Gorgeously appareled
 and resplendent with gems were they ir ] tho great hall of the 1mPssisl Palace