The younger lady replied, in a voice often broken with sobs: 

“Though I know well that my recital will subject me to worse treatment by the barbarous man who keeps me here, to whom this woman will not fail to report it, yet I will not hide from you the facts.  Ah! why should I fear his rage?  If he should take my life, I know not what better boon than death I can ask.

“My name is Isabella.  I am the daughter of the king of Galicia, or rather I should say misfortune and grief are my parents.  Young, rich, modest, and of tranquil temper, all things appeared to combine to render my lot happy.  Alas!  I see myself to-day poor, humbled, miserable, and destined perhaps to yet further afflictions.  It is a year since, my father having given notice that he would open the lists for a tournament at Bayonne, a great number of chevaliers from all quarters came together at our court.  Among these Zerbino, son of the king of Scotland, victorious in all combats, eclipsed by his beauty and his valor all the rest.  Before departing from the court of Galicia he testified the wish to espouse me, and I consented that he should demand my hand of the king, my father.  But I was a Mahometan, and Zerbino a Christian, and my father refused his consent.  The prince, called home by his father to take command of the forces destined to the assistance of the French Emperor, prevailed on me to be married to him secretly, and to follow him to Scotland.  He caused a galley to be prepared to receive me, and placed in command of it the chevalier Oderic, a Biscayan, famous for his exploits both by land and sea.  On the day appointed, Oderic brought his vessel to a seaside resort of my father’s, where I embarked.  Some of my domestics accompanied me, and thus I departed from my native land.

“Sailing with a fair wind, after some hours we were assailed by a violent tempest.  It was to no purpose that we took in all sail; we were driven before the wind directly upon the rocky shore.  Seeing no other hopes of safety, Oderic placed me in a boat, followed himself with a few of his men, and made for land.  We reached it through infinite peril, and I no sooner felt the firm land beneath my feet, than I knelt down and poured out heartfelt thanks to the Providence that had preserved me.

“The shore where we landed appeared to be uninhabited.  We saw no dwelling to shelter us, no road to lead us to a more hospitable spot.  A high mountain rose before us, whose base stretched into the sea.  It was here the infamous Oderic, in spite of my tears and entreaties, sold me to a band of pirates, who fancied I might be an acceptable present to their prince, the Sultan of Morocco.  This cavern is their den, and here they keep me under the guard of this woman, until it shall suit their convenience to carry me away.”

Isabella had hardly finished her recital when a troop of armed men began to enter the cavern.  Seeing the prince Orlando, one said to the rest, “What bird is this we have caught, without even setting a snare for him?” Then addressing Orlando, “It was truly civil in you, friend, to come hither with that handsome coat of armor and vest, the very things I want.”  “You shall pay for them, then,” said Orlando; and seizing a half-burnt brand from the fire, he hurled it at him, striking his head, and stretching him lifeless on the floor.