The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-03

| clothed him and he was welcomed as one
of the companions Of the crusade OF
Spain. Not only from madness was Or
lando liberated and from his bonds, but
also from the bondage of his love for
Angelica. She, who had seemed to him
SO gentle and 80 fair, now appeared a
worthless being What he through love
had lost he swore it would now be his
whole duty to acquire again.
The following day the fleet of Den
mark steered for Provence, while the
English Duke began to press the siege
of ,Biserta. on the shores of Africa, to
which he sailed. He kept Orlando with
him and upon his advice and his valor
relied entirely. In all his subsequent
operations Astolpho was guided by Or
lando's will.
1t was Orlando's desire now to meet,
face to face. the Emperor of Africa,
King Agramant, and, IL possible, to
slay him That valiant king, seeing
the disaster which now had happened
to the Paynims in Spain, had put to
sea with his biggest ships, leaving in
port only some OF those of shal1ower
fugitive Moslems might get aboard of
| them and escape the death and destruc-
ton which, under the direction of Or
lando, seemed to be overwhelming the
Saracens The King of Spain, Mar
sillius, made for Valencia with the
remnants Of his heather army and be-
ganAto fortify that city. The Duke of
England had loaned many good ships
to the King of Denmark, and with
these, we'll armed. burden followed up
the Moorish fleet. They caught the fleet
of the Saracens before they could well
make harbor on the African coast, and
coming full charge upon the ship of
Agramant sent many to the depths be-
low by raining. The others they board
ed. and the Danes and English, swarm
Ing aboard, sent the Paynims to their
just doom. Agramant, dismayed
sought shelter, but found none. AS the
sea battle ragged a wilder storm broke
out from the heavens. and the once
mighty Emperor. jumping overheard
sought in vain to board one of the ships
of the enemy He was repulsed on every
side, and at length, wounded and ex-
had not obeyed his banner upon the
shore. Here he met with relief and COM
fort. Gradasso, King Of Sericana, and
Sorbrino, King of Algoccio. found him
upon the beach, and, restoring HIM
promised him their assistance. 1t was
agreed that Agramant should chal-
lenEe Orlando to single combat.
Orlando was more anxious to con-
vert Agramant than to fight with him,
and promised that II the Paynim king
would but embrace the Christian relig-
ion all the land between the Nile and
Calpe's Rock should be his. Agramant
insisted upon lighting, and would have
no discussion Of theology. So at length
Orlando met him, and fierce was the
conflict. Orlando smote the lord of At
rica just where the helmed head con-
fined the bust The Africans helm was
roosened and OF went his head. Or
lando left his body lying by the shore,
and his spirit fitted to the Stygian
strand, where Charons crooked boat
look dragged 1t on board
The Saracens had now been we'll driv-.
en- from the coast of Europe. and upon
the coast of Sicily even had taken place
a great battle between the Paynim and
Christian in which the cross rriumphed
over the crescent. Africa had been
wasted by an invading army. and the.
Emperor Charles was triumphant ana
satisfied. Fair France was now secure
against the infidel, and Charles held a
great banquet in his captured palace at
Marseilles. The great King stood with
jocund heart to welcome his guests.
Kings, dukes. and she, the partner Of
his throne, assembled around him. a.
gero and Orlando and Rinaldo were ali
there. They began to speak of their
victories, but Charles, who had a sad
died steed awaiting him at the castle
gate said to Rogero. when that knight
lighted down to make hia obeisance:
Come. mount with me and we will
run course"
&c. swifter than greyhounds did the
peer and the Emperor spur over the
plain until the good Lord Charlemagne
lied back again 10 his palace steps.
The troops OF the Emperor now came
sur6ing within the city gates. Gar
Ilands, htrbs and nowers fell around