The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-24


NOt seven years Chalemagne hal
been In spain and had con-
Il ouered the Saracens in many
pitched battles, besides SO taking their
cities that not one was left with walls
unbroken except the city of Saragos-
sa, where the Paynim King Marsillius
still held out in his last stronghold.
Marsilious one morning summoned his
lords and barons to his court to take
advice as to what should be done in
the extreme case in which the Saracens
found themselves. His throne was set
In an orchard where rugs of great
value and many richly embroidered
pillows had been spread over the marble
steps below him. "Hear me, my lords
cried the King. "evil days have come
upon us. Charles, the ruler of France,
has come among us. TO our destruc-
ton. No army have I left to do battle
with him. Wise men and true, my lords
and dukes. save me from shame"
There stood before the King when
he spoke full 10000 of the mobiles of
his realm. but no man spoke word
until Blancandrin stepped forth. He
was most valiant and a most wise
warrior. and fertile in all contrivances
to help his liege lord--a man among
many thousands.
"Oh. King" cried Blancandrin, "be
not dismayec. Send to the proud
Charles with faithful promises of
friendship and with great gifts. Send
him silver and gold-enough to pay
his soldiers what he owes them for his
campaigns. And tell him that he has
SO long made war upon this country
of ours that We are tired and must
he be. Tell him that if he will re-
turn to his capital city of AK thith-
er will you repair upon the Eve of
st. Michael and there acknowledge
yourself his vassal anu embrace the
Christian faith. If the Emperor asks
for hostages let him have them-10 or
90 of the noblest in the land, for it
is better that few should perish than
our kingdom should be overthrown.
Let us send our owns sons-I will send
mine, though ] know 1t will be to his
death. By my right hand If you do
this then shall you see the French
raise their camp and go back to that
land from which they came to disturb
us. The Emperor Charles is man
of faith. and so are his Paladins--
the 10 great peers. But we will not
keep faith with Charles. Our first duty
is to get him and his army out of
Spain-especially those two valiant and
noble men. Roland and Oliver, the two
who are the Emperor's right hand.
All the Paynim warriors applauded the
speech of Blancandrin, and the King or
dered that ten white mules with brides
and bits of gold dhe same which had
been sent to him a little time before by
the King of Sicily be brought out. Then
ten messengers he appointed who be-
strobe the mules. and. with olive branches
in their hands, went out to seek the camp
of Charlemagne, who lay in Lacquer be-
fore Cordova. Charles was taking his
ease in a vast orchard when the messen-
gers came to him.
When the ENJOYS of King Marsillus
! came to him, Charlemagne was in the hest
of humors In the city of Cordova, which
he had just taken, there was no one left
alive but those who had consented to be
baptized and become his subject. With
lands inseparable friend Oliver. Duke
Jeoffrey of Anjou was also there, and
many more great mobiles. They were
gathered about in groups seated on rugs,
passing the time with chess or backgam-
mon; the young ones fencing. Charles sat
near wild rose bush. He was great of
stature and royal of bearing. The mes
sengers of Marsllus alighted from their
mules and humbly offered their gifts
Blancandrin, word for word, repeated the
message with which he had been charged
For long time the Emperor sat in ST.
lence, for he was never hasty of speech
Then he said: king Marsilus is M
greatest foe; how far can l trust these
words of yours?" Then Blancandrin said,
valiantly: ''You shall have noble hos
tages, my son among the number. My
king will follow you to AK, where he will
become good Christian and swear feal-
ty to you" This he must do" replied
Charles. 1T is the only way open to
him."
Then the Emperor ordered that the mes
sengers should receive the best Of treat
ment and that by the light of morning he
would see them again and give them his
dTSWeE. al SuAIiSo the next day the En-
peror was up. heard mathis and early
mass and sent for the Paynim ENJOYS.
He summoned his chief barons: for he
never made an important decision with
out their advice. There were Orgier of
Denmark and Richard Of Normandy, Tur-
pin. the Archbishop of Rheims the brave
Count of Gascony and many others. Also
came Roland and Oliver, rubbing their
eyes, for they were not such early risers
as their Emperor. And with Roland came
his stepfather that felon Ganelon, that
erch-traitor! Charles stated the PROPOSE
ton of the King Marsillus and said:
''These are his promises. The question is.
VIII he keep them?' Roland started to
bis feet and cried out: would you be-
lieve anything that the false Paynim
pays? This is not the first time he has
elent messengers with gifts and promises
You take too much counsel with the
fTenOhmen with Won who. to get ynilr