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31 care hath snatched from surrounding perils, and sufferings long sustained. At these words the wife of Don Manuel fixed her eyes on Ferdinando; and, hurrying to him with strong emotion, caught him in her arms, while joy, which in vain struggled for utterance, heaved within her bosom.

Meantime, Don Manuel, impatient to learn by what means his consort had escaped from those dangers which surrounded her amidst the fury of the Moors, requested her to satisfy his anxious curiosity; which she did in the following words:

“While you," said she to Don Manuel, “was absent in the army of our King Sebastian, which strove, in various engagements, to repel the incursions of the Moors, your castle was attacked by a large body of them. Notwithstanding the brave resistance made by those whom you left to guard it; they gained possession, and with unrelenting fury put to the sword all its intrepid defenders who survived the fierce assault. Catching up our child, I flew in terror to the apartments most remote from the dreadful scene of carnage. But it was in vain, for the leader of the Moors pursued me, and catching me in his arms, heedless of my cries and those of my infant, whom I sheltered closely in my bosom, bore me to his victorious band, and placing me upon his horse, held me before him, while he swiftly led them from the spot.

"They flew with rapidity across the country, until they came to a small cottage where wine was sold; here they stopped for refreshment, and the liquor which they drank enflaming some of the party to gain possession of me, a violent contention arose amongst them. The sight of them drawing their sabres, together with the fatigue and agitation of mind which I had endured, caused me to swoon. D