The Prince of India; Or, Why Constantinople Fell - Volume 01

mmed; never month so slow in coming. At last, however, its first

from Adrianople; but with them the army moved, and as it moved it took possession, or rather covered the

s of a line of battle, and at a trumpet call they advanced in three bodies simultaneously. So a tidal wav

f the gate bearing the same name. There were with him Justiniani, the Cardinal Isidore, John Grant, Phranza, Theophilus Palaeologus, Duke

with just enough breeze

e stoutly framed arbalists and mangonels on the platform, and behind them, with convenient spaces between, arquebuses on tripods, cumbrous catapults, and small cannon on high axles ready for wheeling into position between the merlons. Near each machine its munitions lie in order. Leaning against the walls there are also spears, javelins, and long and cross b

tendants, not excepting Justiniani, the renowned Genoese captain. Not more to see than be seen, the visor of his helmet is raised; and stealing fur

slopes reminds those long familiar with them that grass is already invading what were lately gardens and cultivated fields. Constantine makes the survey in silence, for he knows how soon even the grass must disappear. Just beyond the flooded ditch at the foot of the first or outward wall is a road,

suite calls out: "Har

give at

s thu

rolls. Thi

description of the great drum hauled before the arti

are co

be troubled, and on the tops of the remote hillocks there appeared to be giants r

ng. Justiniani by virtue of his greater

in marks the centre of your defences, so that drum marks the centre

for see-there to the left

r Majesty, I

ter some on

hear sh

"I see glea

stened in nervous wonder; for look where they might over the campania, they saw the enemy closing in upon them

on our right; none the less I am disappointed. I imagined much splendor of harness and shields and banners, but see only blackness and dust. I cannot make out amongst them one Sultanic

s for robes of silk. Look, Your Majesty, the tombs in front of us are well kept; to-morrow if there be one left standing, it will have been rifled. Of the lately buried there will not be a ring on a finger or a coin under a tongue. Oh, yes, the ghouls will lo

ent order, and the sheen of their arms and armor silvered the air about them. Immediately other companies deployed on the right and left of the first one; then the thunderou

er his army, and at the same time enclose us from sea to harbor. To-morrow,

re arose an outburst of music in deep volume, the combination of clarions and cymbals so delightful t

ommed is not far away. Nay, Your

is steed covered with flowing cloths. Behind him appeared a suite mixed of soldiers and civilians, the former in warlike panoply, the latter in robes a

aidst thou,

d, Your

our gates and walls, let him have his look in peac

s in restraint of

n officer peered over the wall, and reported: "Your Majesty, a knight just is

ame a spectator

es, and resting on brick piers. Of the bridge nothing now remained but a few loose planks side by side ready to be hastily snatched from their places. To pass

asked the Empero

and gentlemen, if he be skilful as he is bold, then, by the Three Kings

rant r

mly in the ground. A broad opening through the cemetery permitted him to see and be seen by the Turks, scarcely

tower and deep-sunken gate, and

vice on yon pen

h a cross o

you

reminder of the treaty between them, and, truly interpreted, said, in effect: "Lo, my Lord! she is well, and for fear thou judge me unworthy of her, send thy bravest to try me." And he hesitated-an accident might quench the high soul. Alas, then, for the Princess Irene in the day of fina

nded. Then the son of Isfendiar, recognizing the banderole, and not yet done with c

fer me to punis

felt his hand already, but go

le smiling. The danger

the challenged party to determine with what the duel should be fought, whether with axe, sword, lance or bow,

ervice-in the left hand, the arrow in p

o keep the enemy on the shield side at a distance of probably twenty paces. The spectators became silent. B

intending to lodge it in the shoulder of the other's horse, the buckling attachments of the neck mail being always more or less imperfect. The Count

duced it was almost a halt. The exposure while taking a second shaft from the quiver behind the right shoulder wa

k. There was not voice left him for a groan. He reeled in hi

m, the Count retired to his banderole, and, amidst the shouts of the Greeks on the walls and towers,

ty, he said: "What has happened since

ty feet in length, made of a cane peculiar to the v

the honor

s weapon, Mahommed returned: "How m

imes, m

to-

wi

lance to put him on equality with thee, he

striped robe drawn close to the waist, his face thin, coffee-colored, hawk-nosed, and lightning-eyed, he looked a king of the desert.

vered armor, he met him with an arrow, and seeing it fall off harmless, tossed the bow on his back, drew sword, and put his ho

p him!" At the last moment, however-the moment of the thrust-changing his horse to the right, the Count laid himself flat upon its side, under cover of his shield. The thrust, only a little less quick, passed him in the a

stian, never!

ended, severing the lance in front of the o

yield

eik dr

thou not

r thy master yonder,

k it

s, and only the Emperor's presence there restrains

art t

ough thy Lord's enemy, hath rea

o as thou

en. Thy hor

ran

N

d was walking off when the cheering

ian, another chanc

hall be as thy Lord may th

f Janissaries once more, trumpet at mouth. He saw the Sheik salute Mahommed; then the attendants cl

t have been bred

s countenan

ot more of h

ing of the P

my L

eat

w, as my Lord may appoint-and I want my ho

eared on Mahom

when we take the city we will recover thy horse? Fight t

slowly back up the eminence, and when he dis

across the dismantled br

er," said the Emperor to the Coun

"Why didst thou spare

swered t

the Genoese returned

rdially, "well done. But m

s in the road dead. Let his body be plac

quest! My Lord Chamb

n the landward side it was the same-troops in masses, and intrenchments in progress. Closing the inspection at se

perfected," sa

Constantine replied. "Le