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

struck terror to the Christian ranks. Among the great nobles who witnessed this fight were Sir Talanque and Sir Maneli, the latter the son of Childadan, King of Ireland.
 These two knights, seeing Norandel so hard pressed, came to his rescue, think ing to save him from the Amazons. The knights had closed in combat with the Queen of California and were getting the better of her, when down to her rescue came riding her sister Liota. Liota was, next to Califia, the bravest and the best warrior of California. So fierce was the charge of Liota that she rescued the Queen, her sister, from the peril which compassed her and brought her in safety back within her own ranks. All day the battle ragged, and as night came down upon the hills and waters of Byzantlum the two forces withdrew. The city was safe for the time, at least. Great had been the slaughter on both sides.
 Queen Califiia now withdrew her war riors to the ships disappointed and de- jected, while the Pagans held a council of war by themselves. They knew that the chief reason that neither they nor Califia could carry the city was that within it's wall, fighting and directing the fighting, was Amadis of Gaul Many adventures had that brave knight had in his time, and now he was come to help the Christians defend the great city. The assembled chiefs of the Pagans drew up defiance which they next morning had l read before the walls after the trumpets had sounded barley. The defiance to the Christians was worded as follows: l "Radiora, Sultan of Liquia, defender of the law, destroyer of Christians, enemy of the enemies of the gods; and that very radiant and powerful Queen, Califia, Lady of the Island of California, where in great abundance gold and precious stones ap- pear, make known to you, Amadio of Gaui to you, his son, Esplandian, Knight of the Great Serpent, that we have come hither to destroy this city of Constanti- nople and to gain distinction in honorable war. Having heard of your prowess and chvalry, we hereby offer you fight. if such be accpetable to you, person to per son, in individual combat. All this to be in the presence of the nations, the vic- tors to be victors for all, and the van- quished for all And If you accept not this challenge then shall your glories leave you and your fame become ours forevermore.'
 | A council of the Christians was called and it was requested that a messenger, l 1,,l.y fx, hal Of ha besiegers before this council to discuss the terms of the proffered combat. It was thought better that one of the Amazoni should be this messenger, as the terror of the fighting women and of their savage beasts was not the least of the assets of the force before the city, and one which could not lightly be disregarded. So Cal fila was called again from her ships, and recovering from her temporary dejection
 she longed to have one more try at those stubborn walls. Especially did she wish for a personal combat with this Amadis of Gaui, of whom the Pagans told her SC much. So Queen Califia detailed one ol
 her maids of honor to act as messenger tc
 the Christian council. This maid of honol
 was very black and very beautiful. Mag
 nificently was she attired and great wal
 her stature. She came through the gatei
 of the city riding one of those fiery beast
 which the Amazons of California had sub ljected to the uses of the saddle. and sh
 was received with al courtesy and re
 spect Amadis of Gaul was especially pc lite and desired of her information con
 corning the illustrious Queen, the might. Califiia. Finally Amadis spoke as follows
 Lady, say to the Sultan, and to you Queen, that the proposal for persona combat is accepted. They shall choose tn arms. and the field of combat, if 1t g. , pleases them shall be the open spac before the walls of this city. The tim shall be the present.
 , when, having been dismissed with du , honors, the Amazon returned to preser
 her report to Califia, that Queen quei toned her closely as to the mon who vol f defending the city. Were they handsome 3 Were they noble? Were they brave , Who among them seemed to speak best The envoy replied ''very handsome an , livery noble were all of, those knights; p'