Wolfert's Roost and Miscellanies by Irving, Washington, 1783-1859

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Geoffrey Crayon. * * * * * To The Editor Of The Knickerbocker.

* * * * * A Chronicle Of Wolfert's Roost. Found Among The Papers Of The Late Diedrich Knickerbocker.

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Geoffrey Crayon. * * * * * Sleepy Hollow. By Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.

* * * * * The Birds Of Spring. By Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.

Geoffrey Crayon. * * * * * Recollections Of The Alhambra. By The Author Of The Sketch-book.

* * * * * Geoffrey Crayon. The Abencerrage. A Spanish Tale.

* * * * * The Enchanted Island. By The Author Of The Sketch-book.

* * * * * The Adelantado Of The Seven Cities. A Legend Of St. Brandan.

* * * * * National Nomenclature. To The Editor Of The Knickerbocker.

* * * * * Desultory Thoughts On Criticism.

G.c. * * * * * Spanish Romance. To The Editor Of The Knickerbocker.

* * * * * Legend Of Don Munio Sancho De Hinojosa. By The Author Of The Sketch-book. * * * * *

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Communipaw. To The Editor Of The Knickerbocker.

Hermanus Vanderdonk. * * * * * Conspiracy Of The Cocked Hats. To The Editor Of The Knickerbocker.

Roloff Van Ripper. * * * * *

* * * * * The Bermudas. A Shaksperian Research: By The Author Of The Sketchbook.

* * * * * The Three Kings Of Bermuda. And Their Treasure Of Ambergris.

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* * * * * Pelayo And The Merchant's Daughter. By The Author Of The Sketch-book.

* * * * * The Knight Of Malta. To The Editor Of The Knickerbocker

Geoffrey Crayon. * * * * * The Grand Prior Of Minorca, A Veritable Ghost Story.

* * * * * * * * * * By Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.

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* * * * * The Count Van Horn.

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GEOFFREY CRAYON.

THE ABENCERRAGE.

A SPANISH TALE.

On the summit of a craggy hill, a spur of the mountains of Ronda, stands the castle of Allora, now a mere ruin, infested by bats and owlets, but in old times one of the strong border holds of the Christians, to keep watch upon the frontiers of the warlike kingdom of Granada, and to hold the Moors in check. It was a post always confided to some well-tried commander; and, at the time of which we treat, was held by Rodrigo de Narvaez, a veteran, famed, both among Moors and Christians, not only for his hardy feats of arms, but also for that magnanimous courtesy which should ever be entwined with the sterner virtues of the soldier.

The castle of Allora was a mere part of his command; he was Alcayde, or military governor of Antiquera, but he passed most of his time at this frontier post, because its situation on the borders gave more frequent opportunity for those adventurous exploits which were the delight of the Spanish chivalry. His garrison consisted of fifty chosen cavaliers, all well mounted and well appointed: with these he kept vigilant watch upon the Moslems; patrolling the roads, and paths, and defiles of the mountains, so that nothing could escape his eye; and now and then signalizing himself by some dashing foray into the very Vega of Granada.

On a fair and beautiful night in summer, when the freshness of the evening breeze had tempered the heat of day, the worthy Alcayde sallied forth, with nine of his cavaliers, to patrol the neighborhood, and seek adventures. They rode quietly and cautiously, lest they should be overheard by Moorish scout or traveller; and kept along ravines and hollow ways, lest they should be betrayed by the glittering of the full moon upon their armor. Coming to where the road divided, the Alcayde directed five of his cavaliers to take one of the branches, while he, with the remaining four, would take the other. Should either party be in danger, the blast of a horn was to be the signal to bring their comrades to their aid.