The Wizard of Granada — page 4: what you’re looking at

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, waited at every turn,” replied Sir Ldefonse, 4 THE WIZARD OF GRANADA.. done the same for my bitterest enemy when so sorely pressed. Peradventure thou mayest yet behold a Spaniard in distress. Then mayest thou poy whatever debt thon believest due. Yet, as thou likest, thou muayst give me safe eonduct to Granada.” 5 “Tt shall be done. I journey thither at once. Have no fear, for thou shalt bo as safe as in thine own land.” “T should not fear, though an armed band haughtily; “nevertheless, I like not to move amidst broils and contentions.” “Ts the lady ready?” asked he, presently, when the horses were again led into the court- yard ready for mounting. Basilio frowned. “The lady’s litter, well guarded, went on at break of day. It were not meet she traveled longer in our company,” auswered he. “J trust she has recovered from her fright and fatigue. Ijudged she was a person of high rank,” observed the knight, with a look of keen interest. “Ti were wise in you to forget there was a lady in the train. Whot is gallantry and polite- ness in Spain is insolence and impertinence in Granada, if it concerns a Moorish woman. Above all, the name of the Princess Xina is one to be most jealously guarded in Granada. You will never see or hear from hor again. I repeat that it is wisdom for you to forget her exist- ence.” Once riding along the magnificent country, Basilio forgot his moroseness, and pointed out the beauties of landscape and architecture lying in the way. He grew talkative, and showed a keen, ready intellect and a well-stocked “You have spent much time at your studies,” said Sir Idefonse, in astonishment. “Aye,” returned Basilio, ‘and more with my experiments.” “You are a philosopher!” exclaimed the Spanish knight. “An alchemist, father. Yow will hear another title when you reach Granada. They believe that I hold the powers of light and darkness at my beek—those stupid, superstitious Moors. I am Basilio, the Magician of Granada.” “T have heard, then, of you. Even in Spain your name is spoken with awe.” Granada had never looked more like a city of enchantment than when the cavalcade of Basilio drew up in the roseate light of a glorious sun- set, and made a temporary halt; while from all sides echoed in joyful, rapturous tones: “ Allah il allah! Praise to Mahomet! We be- hold our beautiful city again.” They had crossed the luxuriously green Vega, and before them, more wonderful than any painted picture of the imagination could ever be, bathed in that ineffable gold and crimson light, lay the cremated walls—the picturesque bridges and terraced gardens, domes, minarets and shining steeples, rising ever upward to the base of the great rock which upheld the far- famed Alhambra, Behind soared the summit of the mountain heights; below flowed the lovely waters of the Darro and Xenii. This Christian knight caught his breath in a quiver of reverent delight, and instinctively doffed his plumed hat. ‘Well, here we are at Granada,” said Basilio. ‘Before we pags the gate I must vouch for your appearance. What shall I say is the object ofa Spanish knight's visit to Granada, the stronghold of the Moorish king ?” “Give me audience with your king, and I will haughtily. ‘So. be. it. ence with his majesty the king.” between its file of soldiers, by means of go the knight with curious interest. At the outer building of the Alhambra, Iidefonse was led into » handsome suite rooms, furhished with baths, and every con nience for removing t of mute Ethiopians attended him, and brou likewise a tray of refreshments. no sign of any of his companions on the journ reluctant to relinquish into Moorish hands. rarer magnificence as he proceeded. , offer lo you, which will be found immediat worth of books absolutely free if you will send absolutely free of charge, ten splendid boo ten books. sponsibility cannot be questioned. CHAPTER III. Tue knight, used though he might be to si flooring, its wonderful arabesque and sno lions, they came to a more intricately carv powerful Moor, with his bared arms cross monds, the knight soliloquized : **T must be getting at the kernel of the nut diamond, I fancy; and, by St. Jago! it’s hi wonderful Alhambra? YT faith! These eyes sooner blinded by glinting steel in a sldillt spare you the task. I will make my own ex- true blade !” planations,” answered Sir Ildefonse, a little To the Alhambra st onee. Ho, Akmet, go forward, and announce to the Grand Vizier that an illustrious knight desires audi- They passed through the great gateway, and countersign given by Basilio, and went slowly along the streets, followed at first by a gathering crowd, who were watching tho strange figure of he dust of travel. A pair He had grown tired and weary of waiting be- fore any summons came; and then there was not even of his faithful Alana, who must have »e6n ushered into another apartment, if indeed he had left his horses, which he had seemed | So, alone and in silence, Sir Tdefonse fol- owed his guide across the brilliantly lighted suites of rooms, each one seeming to unfold Do not fail to read our special and confidential following the story of “The Wizard of Granada.” In this great offer we agree to give you a dollar's only thirty-five cents for a year’s subseription to Tue Innusrrarep Home Guest, a sample copy of which is sent you herewith. This is the most extraordinary offer ever made by a reliable publishing house, and enables you to secure, which may be selected by yourself from the entire list offered, and the regular retail prico of which is ten cents each or one dollar for the Do not fail to read this remarkable offer, which comes to you from an old-estab- lished and reliable publishing house, whose re- ple fare and rude scenes, walked behind his guide in grave composure. His alert eye lost none of the magnificence around him, though it seemed so cool andcalm. At every arched portal a new guide started up, made a noiseless obeisance and led on, the other falling into-the statue-like position of his predecessor. Sir Idefonse noted that the color of their silken robes, and the hue of the gem which sparkled on each breast, changed with the suite of apart- ments, and when at length, after the magnifi- cent Court of Lyons, with its polished marble pillars, its inimitable fountain flashing silvery cascades from the yawning jaws of carved portal, where waited, like a bronze statue, a over a white satin vestment starred with dia- | last. From pearl to ruby, from ruby to emerald, and now diamond. There’s no getting beyond time I were somewhere near this Moorish king Do they think to overawe me by a sight of their hand. Ah, here we are! a royal sight, by my me Sir of ve= ght ey, ely us kas, m- wy ed ed at gh g. be ful The white-robed Moor had clapped his hands, and at the signal, with a rich strain of music, the purple velvet curtains, which fell before a large arched doorway, were gathered aside. The Moor waved his long wand, mounted with its emblematic key, and motioned for the knight to enter. Sir Ildefonse ‘stepped forward fear- lessly, although the dazzling sight which buret upon him could not have been other than a great surprise. ‘ He was in the famous Hall of Ambassadors, and the living tableau before him was more gor- geous than any picture. The richly wrought ceiling inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and gold and gems, the roof vaulted with exquisite grace, and rising sixty feet high to the top of the cu- pola; the innumerable chandeliers, like fairy- strung crowns of diamond light, flickering, scintillating, gathering and flinging forth in- numerable rainbows; the garlanded pillars, a-bloom with the rich offerings of the regal flora of that genial climate. At another time all these must separately have claimed and charmed his eye. But now they were tuken in dreamily, as the fit framework for the brilliant group in the center of the room. For there on a golden throne set high on steps of polished marble of the most spotless white, was the Moorish king, and behind him, | the light of the countless tapers playing over their drawn blades of trusty Damascus steel, was a guard of giant blacks, whose polished ebony limbs looked powerful enough to have strangled with ease tke most ferocious lions of their native jungle. The crown on the king’s head was ablaze with | costly jewels, and the royal vestments were stiff | with the same precious*ornaments, and such a gleam of lustre poured from them when he stirred, unstrained eyes might well blench and fall. On either side the throne was a group of magnificent, though lesser constellations. The courtiers and nobles of his suite all gorgeously arrayed, without doubt with the end to add to the imposing scene, and overawe the unsophis- ticated knight, who had ventured to the Moor- ish city. The attendant who had ushered him into this royal scene was still prostrated upon the marble pavement in humble adoration, but taking an- other step forward, Sir Ildefonse doffed his cap and bowed calmly and gravely. “Speak, son of Spain, bold wanderer into the realms of the Moor. Wherefore art thou here tf what is thy mission? It is the voice of Ismael, the king of Granada, which bids thee give truth- ful reply,” said a deep, powerful voice. “Thad heard of the beauty of Granada. Its fame made me restless to behold. I girded on my good sword, mounted my faithful horse, called my trusty squire, and came hither. Will your majesty deign to allow me time to behold the marvels which, indeed, were not half told to me?” Ismael’s bright, keen eye was upon the ealm, untroubled face, “ By the beard of my father! this is a strange story. It scarce looks likely that in these troub- lous times between Spain and Granada, thou shouldst have the temerity to come thus alone into our court for curiosity’s sake. How canst thou think we shall credit the tale, Sir Knight?” “ Because tongue of mine is unused to speak- ing words which can be doubted. The trath is very simple always. Itisfrand and Aceoit which has crooked ways and guileful speech. They laughed at my expedition as a mad freak, back there in Spain, and bade me farewell as though it were the last of me, but I came hither fear- THE WIZARD OF GRANADA. 5 lessly. ‘ What,’ said I, ‘shall the rulers of bean- tiful Granada prove so churlish as to deny for- eign eyes a glimpse? I believe it not. I will test their hospitality.’ True Imighthood knows no other nationality than bravery and truth; with these I will ride forth dauntlessly and try my fate. Behold, King of Granada, I am here. Do with me as thou wilt.” While he spoke, Sir Ildefonse folded his arms, bowed again with a fearless blending of pride and humility, and waited for the king’s answer. A glance of irrepressible admiration passed from the king’s face to that of his band of courtiers. “Sir Knight,” said Ismael, with dignity, “from any other lips than thine such a tale would seem that of folly. But thou bearest a knightly grace which we would fain believe in. As I said before, these be dark times, and many rumors of invading forces come daily to us, We might naturally look closely that spies ven- ture not in our midst. Wnough that we accept thy words for truth, until there is proof against thee. So thou comest truly in friendship, in friendship shalt thou be received. 8o thou art in the service of our enemy and come to spy upon our movements, thou shalt meet a spy’s fato. By tho beard of Mahomet, thy heart’s blood shall stain the scimeter of my slaves, and thy bones bleach before the gates of Gra- nada.” “Nay, your majesty. So Ildefonse so foully forgot his Imightly honor as to be a spy for any cause, it should be his own sword which should first put an end to his recreunt heart,” replied the knight, hastily. The king smiled, and exchanged a second glance of admiration with his courtiers. “ Take thy freedom, then, Sir Knight, through the streets of Granada. We will give royal edict that thy path may be unmolested.” He waved his jeweled scepter. The guard closed about him, and slowly descending from the throne, the king passed away through an arched opening, and the purple curtnins fell after him. : The crowd of courtiers came toward the knight, and from among them, richly clad and jeweled like the rest, Basilio stepped forth, “Thou shalt be my guest, Sir Knight. I claim the privilege,” said he, eagerly. “Thou dost forestall me, sage Basilio,” said a rich, deep voice, and a young and extremely handsome nobleman, wearing jewels betokening high rank, came forward. There was something extremely winning in the latter’s countenance, and Sir Idefonse list- ened eagerly for his name. He had a clear, dark skin, with bright, red cheeks and full, dark eyes veiled by long, silky lashes, and his long, glossy beard fell down over the rich, violet vestments. In the snowy folds of his turban sparlded a star of fine amethysts set around a large diamond. The hilt of his scimeter was of gold, studded with the same gems, and now and then as he moved, there came the glitter of jew- els from his hands, which were mostly hidden by the large, flowing sleeve of his doublet. Al- together, there was something at once jaunty and refined, which took the eye of the Spanish knight. ‘‘T am loth to relinquish my guest even to Prince Azim,” said Basilio to the last speaker, with an air of profound respect. ‘Thon hast heard, my prince, how the knight journeyed in my train.” “As thou, wilt, good Basilio; as thon wilt: Only be thow sure he receive generous and Knightly treatment. By the beard of the Prophet, Sir Spaniard, thou hast a spirit which stirs mo to admiration and shame. Granada a new spectacle, as well as gratified | Wilt thou engraft some of thine own dauntless spirit upon our craven thine own curiosity. Moors ?” So this generous, frank spoken youth was Prince Azim. Sir Idefonse looked at him with keener interest than before, and wondered what he was to the veiled Indy, and had he heard the story from her lips? Most likely he was her lover, if not already her husband and lord. could not understand why the thought gave him a twinge of pain. Basilio drew him aside under pretence of ex- hibiting the magnificence of the famous apart- ment, but\he whispered, hastily : “Keep silent about the lady. Dare not hint a word to Prince Azim concerning her pres- ence.” ‘Does the prince know her?” inquired the knight, eagerly. Basilio shook his head impatiently. “Allah forbid! ing her.” “She Imows him, that is certain,” mentally taking courage at the “But possibly only by reputation as repeated Ildefonse, thought. Thou hast shown | The Spanish knight It would be the worse for him as well as for you to know aught concern- one kind and generous to strangers.” He was not allowed to dwell upon the subject. The Moors gathered around him, eager to obey the king’s command, and give him hospitable welcome to Granada. Basilio extricated him at length by pleading his long journey and his fatigue. They left the Al Ihnmbra in company, and at the great portal Sir Udefonse found his squire waiting with the freshened animals. Basilio’s mansion was within-a short distance. After refreshments had been proffered, the host ushered his guest into a Iuxurious suite of rooms, and left him at once to the rest he really needed, having called his attention to the fact that Alana, the squire, was to sleep in the small room opening from his own. Alana brought up the well-filled saddle-bags, and hunted up a few simple articles required for his master’s toilet in the morning. As soon as the door closed upon the host, and the even echo of his footsteps on the marble of the corridor died away, the honest squire turned to his master with a long-drawn breath. ‘*Holy Mother | Sir Ildefonse, we're really here, right in the very hive of these unbeliey- ing pagans, and we’re alive still!” “What did I promise you, foolish Imave? Alive, and why not? And we shall return to Spain, and be the heroes of every scene for the marvellous tales we can tell. Trust in your patron saint, and your good sword, Alana, and there shall be no harm come to you. harm.” “But the secret mission, good master—when will that be accomplished? I beg and implore we get out of this, while the bloodthirsty Moors are in good humor, I don’t trust them any quicker than I’d trust a serpent.” “Hush, knave! Have we met aught but gen- erous treatment? And about that mission, be I know nanght now. I have so little clue; but be certain I shall lose no time pushing cautious investigations, Hang up my sword yonder, where it is in easy reach. There will be no need, I am sure, and yet a good soldier should always have his blade at hand. Go now to thy rest, Alana, and forget not thy prayers for the safe accomplishmen If thy bones are as well racked as silenf as the grave. our wishes, Why’ should we fear, indeed? we come for no one’s couch. A sof in wl of al cit = 1 U P. of h B dropped from i just in front of t A moment after a burning, coal-black eye kept guard at # At the same in- stant, in the same soundless manner, a thick curtain dropped before the door of the squire’s room, and, despite his precaution, Alana’s eyes were cut off from observation concerning what was passing in his master’s room though he should open them. Full an hour that glittering eye kept its stir- less vigil, {hen it disappeared, while at the same instant o panel near the couch slid away, a darl-robed arm was extended and withdrawn, bearing away the clothing tho knight had tossed carelessly upon a pile of cushions. Not many minutes had elapsed ere the gar- ments were returned. The same hand was fol- lowed by a tall, durk-robed figure wearing a black mask. It moyed stealthily to the couch, and some potent drug was emptied beneath the calmly smiling lips of the sleeper, whiah, with subtle power, crept into the breath and bound the knight for the time more securely tham any fetters, And above his head the good sword wavered and flashed its indignant light, The prying fingers made thorough examina- tion now, and at length those wild, fiereé eyes gleaming through the mask flashed triumph- antly. In a narrow belt worn round the waist were concealed many precious gems, many pieces of (c©) mm (C OO) he aperture, mine, thou wilt appreciate the down of these Moorish cushions,” While he spoke, Sir I upon the yielding cushions of the low, bamboo ft, mellow glow was di the room by means of a hanging porcelain vase hich floated the perfumed oil, a tiny saucer abaster bearing the wick, The vessal war suspended too high for them to reach. Alana glanced at it, shrugged his shoulders, and walk- ed into his own room leaving it burning, since there was no other alternative, Here he found another source of annoyance. The couch was a fixture and so placed that he could not look into his master’s room. He rem- edied the matter, soldier-like, by taking a pil- low, and lying down on the floor by the thres- hold. Alana had meant to be extremely vigi- lant and watchfnl to compensate for hia master’s trustfulness, for the remembrance that they were ‘actually here in the heart of the Moorish ty might well send a thrill of vague alarm hrough his mind. But Sir Idefonse breathed long and regu- uly, and the sound-in itself was soporific. tter stillness, too, reigned throughout the lace, and Alana was travel-worn and weary. e heard the chiming call from a nvighboring minaret just once, then his stiff eyelids settled euvily, his own breath grew deep-drawn and entorian, and he was so sound asleep it would have taken a roll of the drum to have aroused him. Sir Idefonse slept sweetly long before. soft light in his room flung a silver glow over his noble fuce, with its gently parted lips, its tranqnil, stirless eyelids, guthered on the edge of his sword hung over him, and made a little scintillating stream of light, which waved along his glossy black huir Kke a caressing hand. The walls of the room were pure white, pan- elled in gilt, and a heavy wreath of stucco ran around the ceiling overhead. While th