Page:Cross, or, The Spanish champion.pdf/15

13 bushes, from whence he plainly discerned that the group was composed of Spaniards, and that they were conducting a lady, who, though plainly attired, he doubted not, from her numerous attendants, was of no small consequence. As they drew near the place of his concealment, he discovered her to be of exquisite beauty; which instantly inflamed him, that forgetting for the moment every other consideration, he gazed motionless at so delightful an object. When the reflection upon his immediate commission obtruded itself, he summoned up every argument of excuse for attacking this party before he proceeded farther in search of Alvar.

Desire, and the hopes of a rich booty, quickly decided and he waited for their near approach, that he might rush out upon them with the sure prospect of success. He no sooner beheld them on the wished for spot, than he sallied forth, closely followed by his attendant Moors. The suddenness of the attack had nearly deprived Seraphina's party of all power of defence; but the despair of saving themselves by any other means, quickly furnished them with a desperate courage, which enabled them to stand the shock of their furious assailants, several of whom fell in the attack. The Moors, from being greatly superior in numbers, quickly terminated the action, compelling the Spaniards to seek their safety in flight. The terrified Seraphina, clasping her hands toward Heaven, bewailed the miserable lot which awaited her. Iram was advancing to seize her in his arms, when a party of Spaniards suddenly rushed among them and checked their victorious career. Seraphina, who was near falling to the earth with terror at the approach of the furious Moor, suddenly heard the voice of one who rushed to her deliverance, and who with loud and menacing tone,