sum you have just mentioned, ten thousand "It is true," said the Captain, " and I beg crowns. Allow us to proceed on our way." you to pardon their incivility in rating you Ho! ho! not so fast if you please; this at a sum so ridiculous." good viscount's newly gotten lands must The chiefs looked at each other with as "Ridiculous indeed Captain," said Sir Espaing. first sweat a little. You must pay ransome." tonishment. Ready," said the clerk. "Then write what I dictate to you." Messire Espaing de Lyon to the Lord of Chateaubon. 'It is not to be thought of for a moment." "Not for an instant." The chief began to understand. "I was saying Messire, that this manner of rating you was not only uncivil but also foolish." "Worse than foolish!" "And that I would be ashamed," continued Le Moresque, "to estimate three noblemen like yourselves, with their attendants at any sum less than one hundred thousand livres." A murmur of satisfaction arose from the chiefs. Sir Roger uttered an exclamation of rage. 'Monseigneur; This letter will inform you that I and my party have fallen into the power of Captain Le Moresque, chief of adventurers. Before he will allow us to continue our way, the said Captain Le Moresque he said with calmness, "whence are they to requires your lordship to send to his castle in Auvergne, not far from Clermont the sum of-' "How much?" said the clerk. "Leave a blank space." "It is left," said the clerk. 'On this and no other condition are we allowed to proceed on our journey.' come?" Bah! 'tis not my business. I will even add not yours." "And now," continued Le Moresque, "all raise such a sum." that remains is the sum." "It would be wronging such noble cheva "Foix, Foix! 'tis a very fine province." Fill up the blank in the letter with the liers," said the Red Squire, "to estimate the first named sum of twenty thousand, or was three, since the Seigneur de Foix is out of it thirty? the case at any sum below thirty thousand and there francs." Put that sum in the bond I say may be some chance of arranging matters. But a hundred thousand! not to be thought of." "Sir Knight," said Le Moresque, "if you were to pay this, the sum of twenty thous and livres, or even less might suffice—” "And why not fix the ransome at that?" "Because there is a little feud between myself and the viscount. It will not do. One hundred thousand!" "What an exorbitant sum." "Messire, will you fill up the blank with that?" "Impossible," said Sir Espaign. The Jew advanced with a cringing smile. "First, what money had he, Little Me Jehan," said the Captain, "lead the prisoners back to their cells, and this time examine the walls that there may be no se-chin?" cret passages." Then turning to Sir Espaing, "Three hundred crowns of gold." "Gained by usury, not so Jew?" said Le Ah money gri per!" "You have not acted well in this transac- Moresque with a frown. tion," said he, "to save this one hundred thousand francs, your lord will forfeit interests worth ten times the sum, for I shall keep you in prison until King Charles seizes on the country of Foix." "Oh no, my Lord!" said Issachar clasping his hands, "I have never practised usury. What the honorable siegneur has taken from me was gained by honest labor, deprive me "The devil 'tis true!" muttered Sir Es- of it and I have nothing." paing. "Ah, you shall be deprived of it, animal! "Come," said the adventurer, "is it agreed What right has a Jew to be honest? Go, be upon?" The Knight sighed. "Captain, say eighty thousand." "Let it be one hundred then," said Sir Espaing. The clerk inserted the words in the blank space and pushed it across the table to the Knight who signed it. "Now summon Frier Ian," said Le Moresque to one of the soldiers. The adventurer went out. "Wait an instant, gentlemen, if you wish to see a curious character," said Froissart laughing, "your time will not be thrown away." CHAPTER VIII. THE HAWK AND THE VULTURE. a usurer." 'My Lord, 'tis against the law." "And so is the profession I follow myself, rascal!" "I am a poor Jew, you are a great seigneur," said Issachar in a wheedling tone. "And these crowns-where are they, Little Mechin ?" Here." And the Little Mechin handed Le Moresque the Jew's pouch. The captain counted the crowns without the least scruple. When he had finished, "Here are but two hundred, Little Mechin," said he, pointing to the pile, “the rest?" "Understand captain, as a matter of course I helped myself." "Oh!" "I thought you saw that?" "I see it very well, faith!" "And I have brought you double my own share." "And this miserable remnant of two hundred crowns is to be divided between all the May the devil take me, but 'tis ri While the soldier was gone for the monk, Captain Le Moresque turned to a personage behind all the rest who was no other than the Jew Issachar whom we have seen chiefs! depart from the Chateau de Carnac, hoping diculous! I will therefore take possession to avoid the net of Messire Le Moresque by travelling only in the night time. Vain hope, he had been captured. "And this arrival," said the captain, "where was he caught, and who was the hunter ?” myself." The chiefs uttered a discontented growl. "Who murmured there?" said the cap tain. All was silent. "One hundred crowns shall be my share "In a valley," said the little Mechin, "be- as 'twas yours Little Mechin, the rest goes tween two hills, with rocks all round and to the chiefs." bushes to hide under. 'Twas a regular hid ing place." "Ah parbleu! hiding was he. To think of such a thing with my sharp-nosed rascals near! Stand forth Jew, do you hear?" VOL. XXI-46 And separating the pile into two equal parts, the captain pushed one towards the adventurers. "Help yourselves, Messieurs," said he. This was thought very generous, and after pocketing their crowns, the chiefs had a much higher opinion of their captain. "And you, animal," said the adventurer to the Jew, "listen to what I say." The Jew raised his eyes "What is your name?" asked the captain. "Issachar of Tours, my Lords." "Issachar, you are a thief." The Jew smiled with humility. "Not so faith. 'Tis not your spiritual assistance." "Then get another, captain, unless," he added in a whisper, "the wine of Marabella promised you by your Spanish friends has arrived. I promised you my opinion upon it." "Oh no, the wine has not arrived, and I have not called you to moisten your palate. "Issachar," continued the captain, "you with a new vintage. 'Tis nevertheless imare a fool." "Yes, he is a thief," said the Little Mechin, "for he was counting his crowns on the grass when I caught him. The rascal!" "He was a fool," said Le Moresque, "to suppose that my good soldiers were unable to see in the dark." The chiefs bent terrible frowns on the Jew. "Issachar," continued the captain, "you shall pay a ransom of three hundred crowns! more." Holy Elias! such a sum-" "Do you refuse, dog?" 66 My Lord-" "Your fingers shall be roasted with matches." The Jew smiled behind his long beard. heard crying out, "make way for the holy father," and just as the Jew taking advantage of the movement glided through a side door, Friar Ian Dugrindelot entered the room reeling. CHAPTER IX. FRIAR IAN. Instead of exhibiting any surprise or annoyance at the state of the holy man, Captain Le Moresque smiled, and this smile was so full of good humor that one might have thought the monk was about to bring him an especial greeting from the posse. "Father Ian!" said he, "are you sober?" The Friar endeavored to assume an attitude whose dignity alone might silently repel this insinuation, but he only appeared ridiculous. "I have sent for you, father, on important business," continued Le Moresque. "Important business, my son," asked the Friar stammering. "To relieve some expiring sinner!” portant business, and such as you alone can undertake. It requires a man of your boldness and talents." "Oh Captain, you flatter me," said Friar Ian with a ludicrous affectation of modesty. And your business." "To bring me a fine sum which has here been agreed upon as ransom between myself and these honorable chevaliers." "Oh, I am to venture in castra hos-hostium." "Just so. You alone can do it." "And the premium, the portion understood-" "Two per cent.," said Le Moresque, seeing the Friar hesitate. "'Tis not enough," said the monk. "Wait, wait, you have not heard what the sum is, holy Friar Ian. It is one hundred thousand francs and-" "Ah by the mass !" "And your portion understood,'" said Le Moresque laughing, "will be two thous and, three if you insist." "Yes, I insist my son, and I am ready." "But are you sober, faith?" My son," said the monk solemnly, "for three days and as many nights the wine cup has not passed my lips, no, not once." "Friar Ian, Friar Ian, what do you say. Oh!" "Oh, oh," repeated Froissart. "Did we not have bout together," said the captain, "and stay, what was it you said instead of the drink-word, 'Joan is a sweet wench,' was it not?" "And I," said Froissart, "testify that if am now sober 'tis not the holy Friar's fault." "And who art thou?" said the monk frowning. "Messire Jehan Froissart, a very poor brother," said Froissart, "who drank last night with your holiness." "Ho, ho, he drank with you!" said Le Moresque. "I weep my brother for your errors," said the Friar, making a great effort to preserve his humility. "That Burgundy was strong, holy sir." "I weep for your infirmities, brother," continued the monk, "and for your treatment of "Alas! my son," said the Friar rolling his eyes and shaking his head, "what would you have?" Am I to receive no credit when this Sire Froissart, this man whose companions are among the unrighteous, who the saints-" herds with the wicked of the earth, thisoh !" "Holy Friar," said Froissart, "have you selected your present residence for the vir tue of its inmates." "Hath not the holy Moses said," replied Friar, "that Jesus came not to bring the ighteous but sinners to repentance?" "Moses!" said Froissart, "why Christ himself used those words, most holy Friar." The monk had assumed an attitude of humility. "Do you see my son," said he, "this ignorant man presumes to doubt what I quote from the holy book-this man," continued the priest with greater humility, "who has cast far from him all shame and spent his time in passing from place to place, from one high place of iniquity to another, feasting, drinking and forgetting his eternal welfare to wrap himself up in tales of bloody enterprises, this man," continued the Friar, "has accused me of spending my time over the Ine cup when all night long I was kneeling on the floor of my cell-" Oh heavens!" exclaimed Froissart laughing, "did you not relate to me a story concerning a certain devil who appeared to you pace and only vanished when you uttered prayer to the Holy Virgin ?" Listen to him my son." a 'Did you not tell me of a certain vision you had of purgatory?" "Never," said the Friar. "Nor how you deceive three fair penitents in a single night when Perrot Le Bearnois took Montferrard ?" The Friar raised his eyes to heaven. "And rifled as many wine cellars ?" Oh," groaned the Friar while an angry flush overspread his face. "See now," said Froissart," the holy father's face is red, he is weeping!" "Ah stop, brother Ian. You a saint ?" Holy Mary! grant thy servant patience" "And the wine cup under afflictions." "Pardon this erring brother, but if thy will is that he shall be punished-" "I myself will bear half the weight of his sins." "Oh let thy will be done." Then the two ecclesiastics began to pour out against each other an overwhelming flood of sonorous Latin sentences. Froissart, thanks to his liberal studies, was able to speak the languge with immense volubility and ease, and Friar Ian returned it with as much, equally loud, if not quite as classical. At last the monk replied to one of the chronicler's abjurgations with a speech of rolling and formidable sound but unfortu nately so unlike what unusually went for Latin that even the adventurers burst into laughter. Froissart smiled provokingly. The Friar turned red in the face, his eyes filled with blood, and shouting "Vade retro Sathanas !" he aimed a blow with his heavy fist at his enemy's face. Froissart glided adroitly aside, and the ponderous mass fell with such force on the countenance of one of the chiefs, that they both came to the ground with a terrific crash. A tremendous burst of laughter followed this exploit, in the midst of which Espaing de Lyon and his companions made their re treat. The chronicler alone had reason to plume himself on having escaped without much loss, and he had been compelled to part with his two hundred francs. Froissart himself has told us that he lived well wherever he went. Consequently he was in a very illhumor, and he continued to abuse the adventurers without cessation until the party arrived at Clermont. To be continued. GONSALVO OF CORDOVA; OR THE CONQUEST OF GRANADA. prised and invaded the frontiers which had been committed to unskilful governors, who had passed their lives at court; and as a climax to our misfortunes in that fatal epoch, | Translated from the Spanish of Don Juan Lopez de heaven excited against us that terrible enemy Penalve. By A. Roane.] BOOK THIRD. of the Moors-that invincible Castilian, whose name, without doubt, has reached your far-off climes, the fiery Gonsalvo of "The most powerful and prosperous king, Cordova. Neither his exploits nor his rapid whom fortune and victory have loaded with conquests could awaken Boabdil from his favors, surrounded by all the splendor of glo- shameful lethargy. The criminal Zegris ry, yet feels not that purest happiness-that were his councillors; and the monarch yielddearest sentiment to a tender heart-the cer-led himself to the pleasures with which he tainty of being beloved. The homage offer- was surrounded by his courtiers, who were ,ed, the praises lavished and even the fidelity fearful lest the murmurs of the people might shown him, look always for their reward. reach his ear. The gorgeous games and fesInterest directs their love, not to his person, tivals which Muley established had given but to his power. This idea torments his place to mysterious assemblies, effeminate soul and a just want of confidence mingles dances and feasts, from which modesty and in the feelings of his heart. decency were banished. Tender and respect "But Muley, on leaving the throne returned ful love became the object of insolent mockto the private walks of life and acquired ery; and the gallantry of Granada, so celeagain the precious right of association with brated among natives, degenerated into dishis friends. His numerous court disappear-sipation and licentiousness. ed, but the Abencerrages remained faithful. In the midst of so many vices, the preThat virtuous tribe still regarded him as their sage of our misfortunes, the soul of Boabdil king and rendered him more respect than was inflamed anew with a love which had when his power had been greater. Alman-long been resisted. The beautiful Zoraida, zor, Moraima and I, were rivals in every daughter of old Ibrahim, was the object of pious office to console his age. Content to this unhappy love. Zoraida was an African. consecrate our lives to an occupation so From the first days of her life, she had known grateful to our own feelings, we could not complain of a crime which had made us so happy and had united us in the bosom of the best of fathers. If we felt the loss of his crown, it was only for his people and for him; if Muley Hassan sighed for it, it was only for his vassals and for his children. but misfortunes; she lost her mother when she was yet in her cradle; her father had been the Prime-Minister of the Monarch of Tremezen; after the exile of his unhappy sovereign, he was himself proscribed and despoiled of his property; he then came with his daughter to Granada to implore the pro"In the mean time the new king changed tection of Muley-Hassan. My father rethe entire condition of things in Granada. ceived him in his Court, appointed him GovThe ancient viziers were dismissed and in-ernor of the important city of Jaen and gave experienced youths filled their places. The orders that Zoraida should be reared in his generals of the army, grown gray in active own palacé. She was scarcely out of her service, were rewarded by exile for their infancy, when her attractions and graces indeeds and their wounds. Youth, known flamed our warlike youth with love. only for their vices, were placed in command Abenhamet, the gallant captain of the of veteran soldiers, the former companions Abencerrages, who gained the prize on the of their fathers. The ancient discipline, day of the contest of the ring, while yet a mother of valor and of victory, was forgot- child, selected Zoraida and adopted her as a ten in a moment; the army was transformed sister. He was happy only when in her into a troop of unbridled mercenaries, bold presence; he repeated a thousand times, the against their officers, but cowards against oath to love her, long as life endured. The their enemy. The vigilant Spaniards sur-young African girl made the same promise 66 |