The
masses of loose stone rendered his progress slow; but his Anatolian
charger still bore him at intervals bravely, and in three hours' time
he had gained the summit of Mount Haemus. A brilliant moon flooded the
broad plains of Bulgaria with shadowy light. At the base of the
mountainous range, the red watch-fires denoted the situation of the
Christian camp.
Iskander proceeded down the descent with an audacious rapidity; but his
charger was thorough-bred, and his moments were golden. Ere midnight,
he had reached the outposts of the enemy, and was challenged by a
sentinel.
"Who goes there?"
"A friend to Christendom."
"The word?"
"I have it not -- nay calmly. I am alone, but I am not unarmed. I do
not know the word. I come from a far country, and bear important
tidings to the great Hunniades; conduct me to that chief."
"May I be crucified if I will," responded the sentinel, "before I know
who and what you are. Come, keep off, unless you wish to try the
effect of a Polish lance," continued the sentinel; "'tis something, I
assure you, not less awkward than your Greek fire, if Greek indeed you
be.
Pages:
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29