The cavalcade was drawing near to Granada, when it overtook on the
banks of the river Xenil, a small body of Moorish soldiers with a
convoy of prisoners. It was too late for the soldiers to get out of
the way, so they threw themselves on their faces on the earth,
ordering their captives to do the like. Among the prisoners were the
three identical cavaliers whom the princesses had seen from the
pavilion. They either did not understand, or were too haughty to
obey the order, and remained standing and gazing upon the cavalcade as
it approached.
The ire of the monarch was kindled at this flagrant defiance of
his orders. Drawing his cimeter, and pressing forward, he was about to
deal a left-handed blow that might have been fatal to, at least, one
of the gazers, when the princesses crowded round him, and implored
mercy for the prisoners; even the timid Zorahayda forgot her
shyness, and became eloquent in their behalf. Mohamed paused, with
uplifted cimeter, when the captain of the guard threw himself at his
feet. "Let not your highness," said he, "do a deed that may cause
great scandal throughout the kingdom. These are three brave and
noble Spanish knights, who have been taken in battle, fighting like
lions; they are of high birth, and may bring great ransoms."
"Enough!" said the king. "I will spare their lives, but punish their
audacity- let them be taken to the Vermilion Towers, and put to hard
labor.
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