of such commodity in
Spain, can be stimulated to cut the throats of each other, risk all
sorts of perils, and undergo all the miseries that can afflict human
nature. Fye! fye----"

"Peace, thou wretch!" exclaimed Don Rodrigo; "profane not with thy foul
remarks and scurrilous rebukes, that tender sentiment which thine own
gross and brutish disposition is neither competent to appreciate nor
enjoy."

"And most humbly," returned Peregil, "do I thank providence for having
given me a heart withal so brutish and so gross, since those refined
pleasures and feelings which are likely to lead a man into mischief, are
in direct opposition to my taste. Now tell me, my honored master, is
there any law, either human or divine, which ordains that, because you
most desperately love Leonor de Aguilar, and Leonor de Aguilar as
cordially dislikes you, I, who am by no means a party concerned in this
love or hatred, ought to be exposed to all the united miseries of hunger
and thirst, fatigue, dangers, and even death?"

Don Rodrigo, occupied with very different subjects, heard not the
flippant observations of his servant, when suddenly, as they were
approaching the skirts of a wood, his reflections and the valet's
impertinent loquacity were cut short by the unwelcome appearance of a
party of the strolling rebels. They sprung eagerly from their
concealment, and in a moment stood before Don Rodrigo and his attendant,
bearing on their countenances the marks of their revengeful disposition,
and the savage pleasure of meeting with a devoted prey.

"Stand!" fiercely cried one of the ruffians.

Don Rodrigo made no reply, but gallantly drew his weapon, and prepared
for a resolute defence.

"What! base Christian! darest thou provoke our anger? Thy life shall pay
for the temerity."

"The payment," returned Don Rodrigo, "shall not, at least, be easily
extorted."

At this the Moors rushed upon the unfortunate cavalier, who though aware
of the impossibility of making any successful resistance against so many
enemies, defended himself bravely and undauntedly, while Peregil fled
with equal speed and terror. The combat could not be long protracted.
Don Rodrigo fell covered with wounds and exhausted from the loss of
blood, uttering a faint murmuring complaint on his unlucky fate and
disastrous love. The ferocious Moors raised his body from the ground,
and as it was the custom with those desperate men when a Christian
unfortunately fell into their p