Heroes Every Child Should Know eBook

Hamilton Wright Mabie
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 369 pages of information about Heroes Every Child Should Know.

Heroes Every Child Should Know eBook

Hamilton Wright Mabie
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 369 pages of information about Heroes Every Child Should Know.

Moreover the King had given orders that no food should be sold them in Burgos, so that they could not buy even a pennyworth.  But Martin Antolinez, who was a good Burgalese, he supplied my Cid and all his company with bread and wine abundantly.  “Campeador,” said he to the Cid, “to-night we will rest here, and tomorrow we will be gone:  I shall be accused for what I have done in serving you, and shall be in the King’s displeasure; but following your fortunes, sooner or later, the King will have me for his friend, and if not, I do not care a fig for what I leave behind.”  Now this Martin Antolinez was nephew unto the Cid, being the son of his brother, Ferrando Diaz.  And the Cid said unto him, “Martin Antolinez, you are a bold lancier; if I live I will double you your pay.  You see I have nothing with me, and yet must provide for my companions.  I will take two chests and fill them with sand, and do you go in secret to Rachel and Vidas, and tell them to come hither privately; for I cannot take my treasures with me because of their weight, and will pledge them in their hands.  Let them come for the chests at night, that no man may see them.  God knows that I do this thing more of necessity than of wilfulness; but by God’s good help I shall redeem all.”  Now Rachel and Vidas were rich Jews, from whom the Cid used to receive money for his spoils.  And Martin Antolinez went in quest of them, and he passed through Burgos and entered into the Castle; and when he saw them he said, “Ah Rachel and Vidas, my dear friends! now let me speak with ye in secret.”  And they three went apart.  And he said to them, “Give me your hands that you will not discover me, neither to Moor nor Christian!  I will make you rich men for ever.  The Campeador went for the tribute and he took great wealth, and some of it he has kept for himself.  He has two chests full of gold; ye know that the King is in anger against him, and he cannot carry these away with him without their being seen.  He will leave them therefore in your hands, and you shall lend him money upon them, swearing with great oaths and upon your faith, that ye will not open them till a year be past.”  Rachel and Vidas took counsel together and answered, “We well knew he got something when he entered the land of the Moors; he who has treasures does not sleep without suspicion; we will take the chests, and place them where they shall not be seen.  But tell us with what will the Cid be contented, and what gain will he give us for the year?” Martin Antolinez answered like a prudent man, “My Cid requires what is reasonable; he will ask but little to leave his treasures in safety.  Men come to him from all parts.  He must have six hundred marks.”  And the Jews said, “We will advance him so much.”  “Well then,” said Martin Antolinez, “ye see that the night is advancing; the Cid is in haste, give us the marks.”  “This is not the way of business,” said they; “we must take first, and then give.”  “Ye say well,” replied the Burgalese:  “come then to the Campeador, and we will help you to bring away the chests, so that neither Moors nor Christians may see us.”  So they went to horse and rode out together, and they did not cross the bridge, but rode through the water that no man might see them, and they came to the tent of the Cid.

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Heroes Every Child Should Know from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.