oast with wrecks, when a sentinel brought word that a
Moorish cruiser was standing for the land. The Alcayde gave orders to ring
the alarm bells, light signal-fires on the hill tops, and rouse the
country; for the coast was subject to cruel maraudings from the Barbary
cruisers.

In a little while the horsemen of the neighborhood were seen pricking
along the beach, armed with such weapons as they could find; and the
Alcayde and his scanty garrison descended from the hill. In the meantime
the Moorish bark came rolling and pitching toward the land. As it drew
near, the rich carving and gilding with which it was decorated, its silken
bandaroles, and banks of crimson oars, showed it to be no warlike vessel,
but a sumptuous galleot, destined for state and ceremony. It bore the
marks of the tempest: the masts were broken, the oars shattered, and
fragments of snowy sails and silken awnings were fluttering in the blast.

As the galleot grounded upon the sand, the impatient rabble rushed into
the surf to capture and make spoil; but were awed into admiration and
respect by the appearance of the illustrious company on board. There were
Moors of both sexes sumptuously arrayed, and adorned with precious jewels,
bearing the demeanor of persons of lofty rank. Among them shone
conspicuous a youthful beauty, magnificently attired, to whom all seemed
to pay reverence.

Several of the Moors surrounded her with drawn swords, threatening death
to any that approached; others sprang from the bark, and, throwing
themselves on their knees before the Alcayde, implored him, by his honor
and courtesy as a knight, to protect a royal virgin from injury and
insult.

'You behold before you,' said they, 'the only daughter of the King of
Algiers, the betrothed bride of the son of the King of Tunis. We were
conducting her to the court of her expecting bridegroom, when a tempest
drove us from our course, and compelled us to take refuge on your coast.
Be not more cruel than the tempest, but deal nobly with that which even
sea and storm have spared.'

The Alcayde listened to their prayers. He conducted the princess and her
train to the castle, where every honor due to her rank was paid her. Some
of her ancient attendants interceded for her liberation, promising
countless sums to be paid by her father for her ransom; but the Alcayde
turned a deaf ear to all their golden offers. 'She is a royal captive,'
said he; 'it belongs to my sovereign alone to dispo