Giving back his chocolate cup into the hands of the demure damsel,
he called for his basket-hilted sword, girded it to his side,
twirled up his mustaches, took his seat in a large high-backed
chair, assumed a bitter and forbidding aspect, and ordered the
prisoner into his presence. The soldier was brought in, still
closely pinioned by his captors, and guarded by the corporal. He
maintained, however, a resolute self-confident air, and returned the
sharp, scrutinizing look of the governor with an easy squint, which by
no means pleased the punctilious old potentate.
"Well, culprit," said the governor, after he had regarded him for
a moment in silence, "what have you to say for yourself- who are you?"
"A Soldier, just from the wars, who has brought away nothing but
scars and bruises."
"A soldier- humph- a foot-soldier by your garb. I understand you
have a fine Arabian horse. I presume you brought him too from the
wars, besides your scars and bruises."
"May it please your excellency, I have something strange to tell
about that horse. Indeed I have one of the most wonderful things to
relate. Something too that concerns the security of this fortress,
indeed of all Granada. But it is a matter to be imparted only to
your private ear, or in presence of such only as are in your
confidence."
The governor considered for a moment, and then directed the corporal
and his men to withdraw, but to post themselves outside of the door,
and be ready at a call.
Pages:
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370