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

good will, rashly approve your opinion.
No, no. Go on with the war. Lead us
to Saragossa." Then Ganleon, Roland's
stepfather. arose and, in a most dignified
manner. began his speech. Lend not
your ear to the words of FOOLS" he said.
What more do you want than that King
Marsillus should be ready to become your
vassal and accept the Christian faith?
Pride should not sway your councils"
Then stepped forth the Duke of Bar
varis, an old man, wise in council, and
said: ITO my mind Ganelon speaks we'll.
You have defeated Marsillus. His castles
and his cities are yours 1t were un-
christian to press the war further. He
offers homages. Send one of your barons
to him; for this war should end THE
Duke speaks welll'' cried the French.
'Then. my lords whom shall I send to
the King Marsilius as hostage?" said
Charles
Many at once offered themselves for the
pest, but Roland was most imperative and
said, II do not see why I should not 60"
Oliver at once objected. saying that Ro-
land was too valuable a man to risk on
such a dubious enterprise and offered
came quite wroth over the discussion I'M
til the emperor sternly said Neither of
you shall stir foot from my army. And
none OF my IL peers shall CO." ST.
lerce fell upon the assembly until at last
Archbishop Turpin stepped forth and.
speaking in tone of authority, said:
'Sir King, these barons of yours have
for the past seven years had more than
their share of toll and adventure. Give
me the glove and wand and | will seek
the Saracen and tell him what 1 think
There is a white rug" replied Charles,
'go and sit down upon it; not a word
more until you are addressed Now,
knights of France, select a baron from
my own land to be the bearer of my mes
sage to Marsilius.' WELL" replied Ro-
land, there is my stepfather, Ganelon;
you can find no more fitting envoy"
The selection of Ganelon was received
with shouts of approval by the assembly,
and Charles, bidding him come near, gave
to him glove and wand with a high
and naughty message to the Paynim
monarch. But the mission to which he
had been assigned did not jump with the
ideas of Ganelon. you are sending me to
my death!' he cried. Roland has done
this thing, and never will | love him
more; nor Oliver, for that he is Roland's
friend; nor the twelve peers. because
they love him. Here l challenge and defy
them ALL" ut is my will that you CO."
said Charles. So Ganelon, the felon
knight, went to the court of King Mar
silus and delivered his message. But there
was that about him which caused Mar
silius and his advisers to know that he
would play the traitor, and in private
interview the king told him that he would
give him much gold if he could tell him
how to get the better of Charles. Then
Ganelon told him that the emperor would
upon the receipt of his sworn assurance
probably depart Immediately for AK, and
that he would also leave behind, in COM
mand of his rear guard, Roland and Oil
would be rear guard of about 10000 and
would linger behind the main army Mar
silius should summon all his forces call
upon his brother Paynim kings. if neces-
sary, to add to his troops and attack the
retreating Christians with an overwhelm-
ing force. "Cut them off in the defiles
of the mountains" he said, 'slay and
spare not a
Then, laden with much gold, Ganelon
went back to the army of Charles, and
said that the king would surely come to
AK as he had promised Charles be-
lieved his envoy, and straight set his
army in motion for home. And it all hap
pened as Ganelon had said. When the
emperor with the main army was far
away over the Pyrenees, Roland and
Oliver, with the ~ peers and 10000 knights,
were holding the Pass of Roncevaux.
To the tap of the drums of King Mar
sillus there assembled in 3 days 400. 900 |
soldiers. This great army mounted and
rode in haste over mountains and valleys