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

until, amid the dark Pass of Roncevaux,
they saw the standards of the French.
There will be fighting this day." said
Roland to Oliver as the two watched the
approach of the pagan host 1.-THE false
Paynim has not kept his Falkland Cane
Ion is to blame But fight and die we
must. like true knights" Thus the rear
guard of the French and the great army
of the Paynims stood confronting each
other. Along the front of battle as 1t
lowered rode a nephew of Marsillus-and
called out that he would meet in single
combat either Roland or Oliver. Then
these II French peers,' he cried out,
choose you, o king, IL Saracan peers
and form with them the combat" Then
arose a great blast of clarions, which
made the mountains ring again. But, alas,
there was not blown that great horn of
Rolands, the Olifant. BLOW your horn"
said Oliver; blow the Olifant; King
Charles is not so far away but that he
will hear us, and our extremity is dire.
See you the flash of those hauberks, the
shining OF those gilded helms?' Nay"
said Roland Il will rot blow the Olfant.
warrant" Friend Roland, blow your
Olifant," persisted Oliver Nay. nay;
forward to the charge,' replied Roland
Many are going into battle this day who
will never come out of It," replied Oliver.
Then came riding up the little hill upon
which the two champions stood the good
and valiant Archbishop Turpin. Lords
and barons' cried he, Charles has left
US here. He is the king and we are ready
to die for him. Christendom is in peril.
Stand by it! Strike your breasts; confess
your sins and rely upon Gods mercy. I
will assolize you that will be martyrs.
Paradise is waiting for you. Then all
the knights dismounted and knelt upon
the ground while the archbishop gave
them his absolution. your penance,"
concluded Turpin shall be to kill Payn-
ims'' Roland called Oliver to him and
said: "Comrade, you are right 1t is Cane
Ion who has betrayed us. But Marsillus,
who has bought u.s. shall find our swords
pay the debit BLOW the olifant., cried
Oliver. But Roland would not blow 1t.
They, crying out the battle-cry of Charles,
'Mountjoie!" the Christian host charged
full upon the Saracens.
Roland charged full upon the
nephew of King Marsilius and with his
good lance pierced him through his
glittering hauberl. The Archbishop
found himself confronted by one OF
Morslius' vassal kings. Upon tho
Christians!" shouted the Paynim
Charles is powerless." "You lie in your
e,l,o
the Saracen had fairly done speaking
he fell from his horse. dead, beneath
the sword of Turpin. The Bishop
shouted "Mountioiei' and galloped
across the field. killing a man at ev-
cry stroke of his sword. Roland's
Durandel every time it flashed. cut a
Paynim to the chine. And the IL
Paladins killed each not only one but
many men. Above the tulmult of the
battle. which had now become gen
eral, could be heard the voice of the
Arch bishop shouting "Mountjoie.' and
could be seen the flashing of the swords
of Roland and Oliver.
As the day wore or the battle ragged
with increased fierceness. Even Rol-
and and Oliver and the Archbishop
could hardly be said in their deeds of
daring to much excel the other knights
who fought for Charles and Christen-
dom on that memorable field. They
fought as those who know that
never again shall they see wives and
mothers, their friends and the walls
of the house where they were born.
At last the sanacens broke and fled,
lances and broken armor, with tattered
pennons and men lying dead in the
bl God soaked grass. Marsilius, who |
had been awaiting the result of the |
combat at a safe distance, received the |
few scattered fugtives as they came |
to him with CONSERVATION. But ha !
had another hundred thousand men