"So extraordinary is the lot of man, that even among robbers he may do much good if he pleases; these wretches who are used to consider nothing as sacred, religiously keep their word with each other. To me they swore implicit obedience, and that prince who had only ten thousand subjects so faithful, would be nearly omnipotent on earth. When I came to them I found almost all their hands polluted with human blood. It was not in my power to wash out these horrid stains; but my efforts to prevent a repetition of such atrocities have hitherto been crowned with success, and shall still be exerted for the same purpose. I have already saved at least twenty human lives; my example has restrained them from the commission of many barbarities, and this house, which every week used to be the grave of some unfortunate person, has been for these six months only a rendezvous for dividing our plunder and our peaceful asylum."

The Count applauded his humanity, and intreated his former friend to abandon so dangerous a career as soon as possible. He even offered him his purse, nor would he take it back till the other appearing offended, he perceived him to be in earnest in the refusal of it.

It was very late before they parted. Notwithstanding the softness of his bed, the Count's mind was too busily employed to allow him to sleep; at the first dawn of day he prepared to depart. The Captain would not permit him to go till towards evening, and before he set off conducted him once more among his people.

"We have treated you, Count," said he, as an intimate friend, now give us your word of honour, that you will never speak of this adventure, that you will never give a hint concerning our band, nor a description of the interior or exterior of this house, nor mention any circumstance that might excite suspicion, or occasion

a search for us, till I myself give you permission."

The Count readily gave his word of honour; a tremendous oath bound his servant to secrecy, and his master pledged himself for his observance of it. A voluntary present rewarded the courtesy of the inferior robbers; two of them, after sunset, conducted the stranger to the high road, put him into the way to the nearest town, and abruptly withdrew.

The Count kept his word. In six or seven months his friend informed him by letter, that his band was dispersed, that he had himself escaped with three of his most trusty people, and that he was then a Captain in the Spanish service. This happened shortly before the attack of Gibraltar by the celebrated floating batteries, and it is not improbable that our adventurer met his fate on that occasion, as his first letter was also his last.

BLIOMBERIS.

[Concluded from Page 136.]

Our hero was presented to the great Arthur by his friend Percival. Having witnessed Bhomberis's actions, he made him known to the knights of the round table, as a young hero worthy of one day becoming their brother.-Launcelot, Tristan, King Carados, and all the knights of the English court received him with friendship.The monarch overpowered him with kindnesses, and vainly wished to detain him some time. Bli

Gauvain was the only one who could give him any news respecting Palamede: he had met him on his way to Orcania; Bliomberis would have departed immediately, but he was forced to wait for his dear Ebene; and he already repented having confided him to the care of the imprudent Clodion.

THIS knight was the renowned Gauvain, one of the heroes of King Arthur's round table.The youthful Clodion had that morning unhorsed him; and Gauvain, irritated by his defeat, fought with a rage that would have been fatal to any other than Bliomberis, who made a shower of blows fall on his adversary, and parried Gauvain's with the utmost skill. The combat had lasted an hour; the knights' weapons were already dyed with their blood; their strength be-omberis's first care was to enquire for his father; gan to fail them, when, with mutual consent, they stopped for a few moments to take breath. Both seated on the turf which they had bathed with their blood, these brave warriors, without fear or suspicion, calmly conversed together, awaiting till their strength should allow them to renew the fight. Bliomberis availed himself of this moment to relate to Gauvain the circumstance which had caused his error. The latter, whose wounds had rendered him more attentive, listened to Bliomberis, and when he had ceased, expressed much sorrow for the unfortu-him to Orcania. nate mistake, and entreated his pardon. The two enemies embraced, and that was the more wisely done, as the prize for which they fought no longer existed. Gauvain's horse had just breathed his last sigh. Bliomberis continued his journey on foot as well as his brave antagonist; and, without leaving Blanchefleur and her knight, they arrived at Cramalore.

He had some cause to repent: the eight days expired, and Clodion did not appear. Blienberis, in despair, would have gone on foot to Brunor's castle; but the wish of seeing his father called Percival made our hero's griefs known to the great Arthur, and this monarch, to satisfy the impatience of an affectionate son, gave him one of his fleetest coursers. Bliomberis, after having thanked the king, immediately departed for Orcania, followed by Blanchefleur, and her beloved Percival.

After travelling for two days, they lost their way among the mountains, and went on for a

considerable time without meeting any one to direct them to the right road. When, suddenly, a woman, dishevelled, came and threw herself on her knees before them :-" Valiant knights," cried she, "for pity's sake, come and save the most miserable and most affectionate of women! my mistress will perish in the flames unless you fly to her deliverance. Our two heroes immediately consented to follow the lady, and they soon arrived before a castle, the drawbridge of which was raised. A thick smoke, accompanied by flames, was visible above the ramparts; and Biiomberis and Percival feared they were too late. They blew a loud blast; the bridge was lowered, and the friends saw two knights approach, the ene clothed in sable armour, the other in gilt.

"Strangers," said the black knight, "do not come to interfere in this act of justice, and allow me to punish the guilty."-" They may be so," rejoined the Cambrian, "in that case, my sword will wrongly assist my courage; but they may be innocent, and then it will punish the cruel."Scarcely were these words uttered, when a combat commenced between Percival and the black knight, and Bliomberis rushed on his companion.

so crushed by the charming Ebene, that he had scarcely breath remaining. Bliomberis caused him to be carried into his castle, unchained the lovers, made Prince Clodion's armour be restored to him, and gave him the horse he had received from King Arthur. Clodion embraced his liberators a hundred times, swore never to forget their kindness; and, wishing to quit a country where he had met with so many misfortunes, with Celina immediately embarked, and after a pleasant and speedy voyage, arrived safely at Tournay.

Bliomberis resumed his journey, and at length arrived in Orcania; but Palamede was no longer there; and his son sought him for a long time throughout England, but fate seemed to have determined that they should not meet.

During his travels our hero performed many deeds worthy of being recorded in the book of fame; he delivered numerous captive lovers, unhorsed knights, and defended the fair damsels that needed his protection. Percival, enchanted with his dauntless friend, loved him with the warmest fraternal affection; Blanchefleur would have given all she possessed, with the exception of her lover, to have witnessed the union of Bliomberis with Felicia; and as she knew the conditions on which the Princess was to be married, she had kept an exact journal of all our hero's actions, to enable her to relate them with correctness to Pharamond. She had already on her list forty-two castles taken, eleven knights vanquished, and sixty-three damsels rescued from the hands of their persecutors.

They had just reached each other's body with their lances, when the horse of Bliomberis's antagonist bounded on one side, and prevented his rider from touching our hero. In vain the enraged knight made him feel the spur; he still resisted, and at last raised himself on his hind legs, threw the knight to a considerable distance, and ran prancing towards Bliomberis. The latter looked at the fine animal, who was cantering and snorting around him, and uttered a scream of joy upon recognising Ebene; he quickly leaped on the ground, ran to the fine courser, warmly caressed him, and the affectionate animal appeared to share his joy. The knight in gold n armour, took the advantage of this moment; he arose, and advanced sword in hand to strike Bliomberis on the back. Ebene saw him, and, when the traitor came within his reach, he kicked him in the chest with all his strength, threw him down, trod upon him, and, notwith-seemed to bespeak that grief had wrinkled it standing Bliomberis's cries, continued walking over him.

During this time Percival had got rid of his enemy. Bliomberis, a conqueror without having fought, mounted Ebene, and ran, accompanied by his friend, to deliver the unfortunate victim. What was their surprize in recognizing Clodion and a beautiful lady chained, and just upon the point of falling into the flames! The lady was Celina, and these imprudent lovers had been surprized by Brunor and Danain, who had condemned them to this inhuman death. But Danain had been killed by Percival, and Brunor

Yet the glorious name Bliomberis had acquired did not compensate for his disappointment in not having met his father; and he was on his return to King Arthur's court, when crossing a forest, he arrived before the steps of Merlin's terrace, the spot where Blanchefleur had been pursued by Brehus. Near these steps our travellers perceived a tall knight, clothed in black armour, lying by the side of Merlin's fountain, and whọ appeared in a profound sleep. Heat had induced him to take off his helmet, and his countenance

The

rather than age; his lance and his shield were by his side; on the latter there was painted a crown of cypress, with these words,—I will have no other. Percival did not recollect ever having seen this knight before; and wishing to become acquainted with him, made a noise to awake him. unknown knight had scarcely opened his eyes when, resuming his helmet, and grasping his lance and shield, he sprung on a proud courser that stood by his side, and without saying a word to Percival, gallopped towards him in a menacing attitude. The haughty Cambrian ran to meet him; but notwithstanding the strength of

blows, they had not the effect of making the un

Gauvain, Bliomberis, Arrodain, all arose, and

one voice demanded the honour of trying their arms against his. Arthur, pleased with their impatience turning towards the unknown, said, "Sir knight, you have only to chuse among these warriors. The stranger asked for a helmet, and writing separately the name of each knight, threw them into it, and after having shaken it, drew out that of Bliomberis. He immediately threw a scrutinizing look on our hero and seemed dissatisfied with his fate; he, however, began to prepare for the combat. Bliomberis piqued at the contempt with which the unknown treated him, and proud of the honour of being a knight of the round table, embraced his dear Percival, kissed the king's hand, and called for Ebene.

known move one step, while the hitherto mag-casting side glances on the rash stranger, with nanimous Percival was thrown from his saddle for the first time in his life. Bliomberis wished to avenge his brother in arms, and judging of the strength of his antagonist by what he had just witnessed, fixed himself steadily in the saddle, and grasping his lance, rushed on the unknown. Vain precautions! The tall knight received our hero's lance on his shield; and unhorsing the valiant Bliomberis, threw him on the turf beside his companion in arms. After this double victory, the unknown pursued the two horses that had fled, led them back to their masters, and bowing gracefully to Blanchefleur, without uttering a word, rode off, and was soon out of sight. Our heroes, still lying on the ground, looked at each other, and knew not what to think. Never before during his life had this proud Cambrian been overthrown; it was also the first time Bliomberis had endured such a mortification, and they thought it must have been some infernal spirit who had assume the form of a knight to conquer them: consoled by this idea, our warriors continued their route towards Cramalot, where Percival wished to have his friend received a knight of the round table.

The relation he gave Arthur of Bliomberis's ac tions, induced this monarch to comply with his request. The only adventure Percival passed over in silence, was the one which happened beside Merlin's fountain, and all the knights of the English court joyfully gave their votes to the new brother that was so favourably introduced to them. The lovely Genievre, and the gentle Yseult, were too much attached to Blanchefleur to withhold for a moment their suffrage from her defender. Bliomberis was then unanimously admitted to the round table, the knights of which were so celebrated for their valour and gallantry. These honours, however, did not banish Felicia from his mind; her image continually haunted him, and he reflected with transport that the two years of trial would in a month be expired.

A few days previous to his departure for France, as King Arthur was seated at table, with his ladies and knights, a warrior entered, whose dignified appearance inspired respect. His visor was raised, and his shield without device, announced that he wished to remain unknown; he haughtily approached the king, and bowing gracefully, said, "Mighty prince, the fame of thy renown has induced me to cross the sea. The desire of beholding thee and the lovely Genievre, has brought me from a far distant country, and I do not regret my journey; yet one wish still remains ungratified; which is, to engage the most valiant of your knights."

At these words, Launcelot, Tristan, Perceval,
No. XVI. Vol. II.

All the ladies and knights repaired to the place of combat, and Arthur gave himself the signal for the barrier to be opened.

On one side appeared the unknown knight, his bronzed armour formed a pleasing contrast with his milk-white steed. On the other side advanced Bliomberis, mounted on the handsome Ebene his air bespoke confidence, blended with modesty. The two knights rushed on each other; their lances were broken, but they remained unmoved. The terrible scymetar already glittered in their hands; repeated blows drew fire from their shields and helmets Mutually surprised at meeting so much resistance, passion was combined with valour. Eager to terminate the fight, they grasped each other round the body. Each struggled violently to throw his rival to the ground; their horses escaped from under them; the same instant brought them both standing on the earth; but neither of the warriors let go his hold. Foot to foot, breast against breast: their armour clanged with the pressure of their efforts; but instead of weakening, each shock renewed their vigour; so equal was their strength, that whilst combating they seemed at rest, and their reciprocal resistance made them appear motionless.

Bliomberis, while struggling with his antago nist, descried a fleur-de-lys engraven on his cuirass; this sign immediately told him who was his opponent.-"Mighty Pharamond," exclaimed he, "I acknowledge myself conquered! and if it be your pleasure, I will fall before you on the sand; but let me enjoy the honour of having resisted you. This is the most glorious day of my life, and my defeat is more prized by me than all my victories." Pharamond answered, by pressing his hand "All I shall exact from you," said he," is secresy, I wish to depart unknown; and contented with having proved my strength against that of Arthur's most valiant knight, I shall ever remember your bravery and courtesy ; B b