nd
thus they darted forward with perfect indifference whether this new
adventure should be crowned with wounds or kisses, blows or treasures,
a martyr's chains, or an hymeneal altar.

Their panting chargers soon bore them to a forest filled with oaks of a
thousand years, whence had proceeded those outcries, which were now
subsiding to sobs so low as to be almost lost to the ear. At length a
green meadow opened upon them through the wood, and there, enclosed by
a circle of Moors, stood two powerless maidens of angelic beauty, bound
to a tree. An old, meagre, yellow monster, in the rich dress of the
east, appeared to be feasting himself with gazing upon their charms. He
had just drawn a dagger from his girdle and was about to approach one
of the maidens, when Ryno and Idallan burst upon them from the thicket
with the suddenness of the lightning's flash, and the fury of the
storm. Knight-errant like, without asking any questions, they nailed
six of the Moors to the nearest oaks with their lances, and then, (as
if Vulcan had sent his cyclops to the work,) their blows fell like hail
upon the astonished Moors.

Courage, strength, knowledge of the use of arms, and the consciousness
of a good cause, enabled them quickly to overpower their venal
opponents. Those, who were not killed by the sword or trampled down by
the horses, threw away their weapons and fled. Only the horrid looking
yellow old man kept his ground, and he was busily employed in drawing
strange characters in the air with a black wand. 'You lose your pains!'
cried Idallan, laughing. 'You must know, sir wizard, that our arms,
tempered by the fairy Diamanta, fear no magic charm, and that only
superior natural power can prevail against them.'

'If you wish a proof of it,' interposed Ryno, springing from his horse,
'I am here ready for the trial, and you may call back your flying Moors
to arm you.'

Without answer, but with a glance that disclosed the hell within, the
sorcerer strode with uplifted dagger, towards his poor bound victim;
but Ryno's ready weapon interrupted him in full career. With rifted
head the fiend sank to the earth, which immediately opened and
swallowed his hideous form; while a blue smoke, accompanied by fearful
sounds, gnashing of the teeth and scornful laughter, issued from the
spot where he had disappeared.

The knights hastened to the damsels, and by the aid of their bloody
swords quickly severed the bands by which they were confined.