Historical Tales Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the Historical Tales novel. A total of 410 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : Historic Tales.Vol. 1.by Charles Morris.PREFACE.It has become a commonplace remark that
Historic Tales.Vol. 1.by Charles Morris.PREFACE.It has become a commonplace remark that fact is often stranger than fiction. It may be said, as a variant of this, that history is often more romantic than romance. The pages of the record of man's doin
- 201 he said."Gentle sir," she sadly replied, "I am woeful indeed that you should go, for I never saw man to whom I felt such good-will as to you."And she wept bitterly as she held out her hand in adieu. But Tristram took her in his arms an
- 202 "Remember, dear brother, of what kin we are, being cousins to Lancelot du Lake, and that there has never been a man of our blood but would rather die than be shamed in battle.""Have no doubt of me," answered Blamor. "I know well t
- 203 And he took his sword by the point and put the pommel in the hand of his opponent. But despite this action the king and his knights came on, and made a second attack on the unarmed warrior."Let him be," cried Sir Galahad. "I have given him
- 204 Then he armed himself in all haste, and rode into the forest. Not far had he gone when he found Lambegus, sorely wounded, and had him borne to a place of shelter. Somewhat farther on he found Adtherp, also hurt and bleeding, and from him he learned what h
- 205 But Tristram's anger was turned towards Lamorak for this affront, for he knew well what had been his purpose. And he vowed in his heart that he would yet repay him for this treacherous act.His affection for Queen Isolde kept as warm as though the lov
- 206 When at length he came to himself, he sent Fergus, who had remained with him, to the court, to bring him what tidings he might learn. As Fergus rode forward he met a damsel whom Palamides had sent to inquire about Sir Tristram. Fergus told her how he had
- 207 "Truly," he said, "you had better have died while you were about it. It would have saved me the need of dealing with you as you deserve."Then he returned to the castle, and called his barons hastily to council, sternly demanding that t
- 208 "We are now the lords of the castle, and must defend its custom," said Tristram. "Make ready, therefore, for fight you must.""Why, in the devil's name, came I here in your company?" cried Dinadan."You will wear all
- 209 Dismounting and tying his horse to a tree, he washed his face and hands and took a deep and grateful draught of the cool water. Then laying himself to rest by the spring side, he fell sound asleep.While he lay there good fortune brought to that forest spr
- 210 "It is Sir Palamides.""He is well met, then. I have seen no knight in seven years with whom I would rather tilt."Then the two knights took spears from their squires, and rode apart."Now," said Dinadan, "you will see Pala
- 211 "Sir, leave off fighting with these twenty knights. You can win no honor from them, you being so many and they so few. I can see by their bearing that they will die rather than leave the field, and that will bring you no glory. If this one sided fray goe
- 212 said Lancelot. "Only lately he risked his life for me, when he fought with thirty knights, with no help but Dinadan. This is poor requital for his n.o.ble service."Then they sought Tristram in the forest, but in vain. They found the place where his pavi
- 213 "I shall not fail you," said Gaheris.Into the forest they then rode till they came to the edge of a little lake, known as the Perilous Lake, and here they waited under the woodland shadows.It was now night, but the moon rode high in the skies, and flung
- 214 "It signifies King Arthur and Queen Guenever," said Morgan, "and a knight that holds them both in bondage.""And who is the knight?""That you shall not know at present."So Tristram took the s.h.i.+eld, not dreaming that it was intended as a rebuke
- 215 So they mounted and rode into the forest, where they soon came to a sparkling fountain, whose clear water bubbled freshly from the ground.Here they alighted and refreshed themselves.As they did so Tristram's horse neighed loudly and was answered by anoth
- 216 Thus conversing they came to the court, where King Arthur, when he learned the name of Lancelot's companion, was filled with joy. Taking Tristram warmly by both hands, he welcomed him to Camelot."There is no other man in the world whom I would so gladly
- 217 Historic Tales.Vol 14.by Charles Morris.KING ARTHUR AND THE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE.BOOK VIII.TRISTRAM AND ISOLDE AT JOYOUS GARD CHAPTER I.THE TREACHERY OF KING MARK.The story of Tristram's valorous deeds, and of the high honor in which he was held at
- 218 Not long had they landed when a knightly chance brought Lancelot into their company. Warm indeed was the greeting of those two n.o.ble companions, and glad the welcome which Lancelot gave Isolde to English soil."You have done well," he said, "to fly fr
- 219 "What amends wish you?" asked one of the knights. "We are ready with spear and sword to make good whatever we have done."He rode against Tristram, but was met so st.u.r.dily in mid career that he was thrust over his horse's tail. Then the other rode
- 220 "So far as that goes, it troubles me little," said Tristram. "Suppose, my good sir, you take me under your protection. Though I bear arms I shall gladly accept the patronage of so worthy a knight as you.""The devil deliver me of you!" cried Dinadan.
- 221 "Lancelot du Lake, and the next after him was the n.o.ble knight Lamorak de Galis.""A n.o.ble fellow, indeed, I never met his better, save Sir Lancelot. His murder was shameful, and were they not the nephews of my lord Arthur that slew him, by my faith
- 222 "I fancy I have something to say about the helmet now," said Berrant, grimly. "Go take it off him, and keep it," he ordered his servant."What will you do?" cried Tristram. "Hands off, fellow. Touch not that helm.""To what intent do you meddle, si
- 223 "You are the better of us two, and more worthy of this battle," said the knight. "But fain would I know your name.""My name is Palamides. I am a Knight of the Round Table, and one well known in Arthur's realm.""In good faith it is, and much beyond
- 224 Then, spear in hand, he rode on Sir Tristram, with brutal intent to run him through. But Palamides sprang up hastily, and smote the knight's horse so fierce a blow with his clinched fist that horse and man fell together to the earth. He then drew his swo
- 225 "So think we all," said the others.On the morrow, when day had broken, they arrayed themselves in green trappings, with s.h.i.+elds and spears of green, while Isolde and her three damsels wore dresses of the same color. For the ladies Tristram found sea
- 226 "What the fiend has ailed you to-day?" he asked. "Palamides grew in strength from first to last, but you have been like a man asleep, or a coward knight.""I was never called coward before," said Tristram, hotly. "The only fall I got was from Lancel
- 227 "Then he is but a fool," said the king. "He is not and never was the match of Tristram. I am glad to see the fellow repaid for the way he served me this morning."As they stood thus conversing, Tristram withdrew quietly from the lists, his going noted
- 228 While they were still at table two knights rode to the pavilions, and entered in full armor."Fair sirs," said Tristram, "is this courtesy, to come upon us thus armed at our meal?""We come with no ill intent," said one, "but as your friends, Sir Tri
- 229 "I seek better company, sir traitor," cried Palamides, in tones that trembled with fury. "I hate you now as much as I once esteemed you, and bear this in mind, if it were daylight as it is night, I would slay you with my own hands. You shall die yet fo
- 230 "Willingly," answered Palamides.Leaving their horses at the gates, they entered the court-yard, where they saw an old man tremblingly fumbling his beads. But when they came within the hall they beheld many men weeping and lamenting."Fair sirs, why make
- 231 "I can never fight in a better quarrel," said Palamides. "And if you slay me I can never die by a n.o.bler hand. Since I cannot hope for favor from La Belle Isolde, I have as good will to die as to live.""Then set a day in which we shall do battle in
- 232 "Now," said Tristram, "I have you at advantage, as you had me this day.But it shall never be said that Tristram de Lyonesse killed a weaponless knight. Therefore take your sword, and let us make an end of this battle.""As for that, I am willing to en
- 233 When the damsel of the castle saw this, and found that no words of hers would rouse Alexander from his blind folly, she burned with indignation, and bethought her of a sharper means of bringing him back to his lost senses.So she put on her armor and took
- 234 But hardly had he rested a minute when the defeated knight returned, as fresh as at the start, and attacked Bors with renewed strength. Again the battle went on fiercely. But when Bors saw his antagonist once more retreating towards the chamber door, he c
- 235 That night, Lancelot's cousins, Bors and Lionel, stopped at the abbey, and spent there a cheery evening with their n.o.ble kinsman. At early morn of the next day he gave the accolade to the youth, p.r.o.nouncing him knight, and bidding Bors and Lionel to
- 236 And he seated him therein, while all the circle of knights looked on in wonder. Now for the first time the young knight spoke."Dear sir," he said, "you may now depart, for you have done well what you were commanded to do. Recommend me to my grandsire,
- 237 First must we follow the young knight Galahad, who still rode without a s.h.i.+eld, and who pa.s.sed onward for four days without an adventure. Near eventide of the fourth day he came to a white abbey, where he was received with great respect, and led to
- 238 So Melias rode forward and soon found himself in a forest, through which he pa.s.sed for two days, seeing there neither man, woman, nor child. Then he came from the forest into a broad meadow, where stood a lodge built of green boughs. And in that lodge w
- 239 Then the victor ordered that all the gates should be thrown open, and in the streets of the neighboring town were crowds of people, crying gladly,-- "Sir knight, you are heartily welcome. Long have we waited for the deliverance which you bring us."And a
- 240 "That I cannot surely tell," she said. "Ride hence to a castle which is called Goothe, where he has a cousin-german. If he can give you no tidings, then ride straight to the castle Carbonek, where the maimed king lies, and there you shall hear sure tid
- 241 With these words she departed, and Percivale finished his sleep without further vision. In the morning, when he awoke, he felt feeble. And as he rose and blessed himself he saw not far off in the sea a s.h.i.+p that sailed towards him. As it came near he
- 242 "How hast thou done since I departed?""Weakly and wickedly enough," he answered. "A witch beguiled me, and I nearly fell a victim to her wiles.""Knew you her not?""Only that I deem the foul fiend sent her here to shame me.""Worse than that, goo
- 243 They quickly rose and drew their swords, and hewed at each other like two woodmen, so that soon each was sorely wounded and bleeding profusely. Bors quickly found that he had a st.u.r.dier antagonist than he expected, for Pridam was a strong and hardy fig
- 244 On hearing this, Bors stood abashed. This, then, he thought, was the white bird of his dream. Her love he must return or lose Lancelot,--so fate had spoken.As he stood deeply thinking, the lady came up and saluted him, taking his hand in hers, and bidding
- 245 "Why seek you to slay him?""He has richly deserved it, and die he shall, whoever says the contrary."Then he ran upon Bors and raised his sword to strike him on the head.But Colgrevance pushed between them and thrust him fiercely backward."Off, you mu
- 246 "Your quest is done, it seems," said Hector."As for that, it was done before. You can still seek the Sangreal if you will, but I shall seek my bed; and I fear I shall stay there much longer than I care to."Then he was borne into the castle, where a le
- 247 "Now, my dear lord," she said to Solomon, "since this last knight of your lineage is to pa.s.s in valor and renown all other knights that have been before or shall come after him, therefore I counsel you to go into the Temple of the Lord, where is the
- 248 In his slumber, words came to his ear, saying, "Lancelot, rise and take thine armor, and enter into the first s.h.i.+p that thou shalt find." On hearing these words he started up, and saw that all about him was strangely clear, the skies giving out a li
- 249 "Long has my daughter Elaine been dead," he said. "But happy she lived in having been loved by you, and in the grace of her n.o.ble son Galahad.""I was but cold to her," answered Lancelot, "for she was a lovable lady.But in truth I have been held f
- 250 "How shall I do that? I have not gone for ten years without crutches.""No matter for that. Show your good will by trying."Then the cripple rose and took hold, and in that instant he was whole and strong, and helped them bear the table to the palace. T
- 251 The queen, at this hot accusation, looked appealingly from face to face; but all stood grave and silent, for greatly they suspected her of the crime. Then, seeing that she had not a friend in the room, she burst into a pa.s.sion of tears, and at length fe
- 252 They now moved to their appointed stations, and there couched their spears and rode together with all the speed of their chargers. Mador's spear broke, but the spear of his opponent held, and bore him and his horse backward to the earth.But he sprang lig
- 253 All this was seen by Lancelot and Lavaine, who sat their horses at a distance looking on."Come," said Lancelot, "let us help these good fellows, who seem to be overpowered.""Lead on," said Lavaine. "I shall follow and do my best."Then Lancelot, wi
- 254 "Then must I say that you have given your love to the n.o.blest and most renowned knight in the world.""So it seemed to me; for he carries a n.o.ble soul in his face.""This I may say," said Gawaine. "I have known this knight for more than twenty ye
- 255 "Ah, Sir Lancelot, you have more courage than wisdom, I fear. As for the tournament, let Sir Bors attend it and do what he may. By the time it is over and he returned, I hope that you may be well once more, if you will but be governed by my advice."This
- 256 THE CHEVALIER OF THE CART.The year pa.s.sed on from Candlemas till after Easter, and then came the month of May, when every l.u.s.ty heart begins to blossom and to bear fruit; for as herbs and trees flourish in May, so does the heart of a lover, since in
- 257 As he spoke he thrust the gates open with such force that the porter, who sought to hold them shut, was hurled like a dead man to the earth.When Meliagrance in the castle heard this loud defiance his cowardly soul sank within him, for well he knew from wh
- 258 The lady went away full of sorrowful thoughts. But on the morning of the day fixed for the battle she came to him again, and said, gently,-- "Sir Lancelot, I deem you hard-hearted and cruel; yet I love you too truly to see you disgraced. If you will sola
- 259 THE TRAPPING OF THE LION.In May, when every l.u.s.ty heart flourisheth and bourgeoneth,--for as winter, with its rough winds and blasts, causes man and woman to cover and sit fast by the fire, this fresh and joyous season brings them forth to gladden in t
- 260 This said, he wrapped his mantle around his arm, and approached the door. As he did so the strong oaken portal trembled under their blows, for they had got a great form out of the hall, and were using it as a battering-ram."Save your trouble, you crew of
- 261 "Alas! that I have ever lived to see this woful day!" said Gawaine, sadly, and as he turned away the tears ran hotly from his eyes.But the king was bitterly set in his deadly purpose, and no sooner had he reached Carlisle than he gave command that the q
- 262 "You mean Sir Lamorak. Him I slew, man to man.""Who lies now? You know well that you and the crew that set upon him dared not meet him face to face. You struck him treacherously from behind.""A truce to Lamorak. This you may know, that I will never l
- 263 "The king may do as he will," said Gawaine; "but while I live I shall never be in accord with you. I cannot forget that you have killed three of my brothers, two of them treacherously and pitilessly, for they wore no armor against you, and refused to b
- 264 With these words he led the damsel to the king's pavilion. There Arthur, who had been advised of her coming, sat with Gawaine to hear her message. When she had told her errand the king was so moved that tears ran from his eyes, and all the lords were rea
- 265 Disastrous, indeed, were the news from England. King Arthur had made the fatal mistake of placing a villain and dastard in charge of his realm, for Mordred had taken advantage of his absence to turn traitor, and seek to seize the crown and sceptre of Engl
- 266 "Betide me life, betide me death," cried the king, "this fray must end here. Now that I see him yonder alone, he shall never escape my hands.One or both of us shall die.""Then G.o.d speed the just cause," said Bevidere.With no word more Arthur took
- 267 But as for the three queens who went with Arthur to the island of Avilion, the chronicles say that they were Morgan le Fay his sister, the queen of Northgalis, and the queen of the Waste Lands. And with them was Nimue, the lady of the lake. All were skill
- 268 "In heaven, mayhap, but not on earth," said Lancelot. "So give me the rites of the church, and after my death, I beg you to take my body to Joyous Gard, for there I have vowed that I would be buried." When they had heard this, and saw that he was inde
- 269 On the Mohawk River, at the head of boat-navigation, stood a fort, built in 1758, and named Fort Stanwix; repaired in 1776, and named Fort Schuyler. The possession of this fort was important to General Burgoyne's plan. Its defence was of vital moment to
- 270 His seeming alarm communicated itself to the Indians. They had been severely dealt with at Oriskany. The present siege dragged on. They were dissatisfied. While the chiefs debated and talked of flight, the Oneida appeared with several others of his tribe
- 271 "No; the rascal gave us the slip. He is safely on a British galley, and this is all we have to show."A few days afterwards Lee received a letter from Champe, in a disguised hand and without signature, transmitted through a secret channel which had been
- 272 These animals had been attempting to pa.s.s the camp at point after point, turned from each point by the fire of the sentinels, and trying the line on all sides. Great merriment followed, in which pickets, patrols, and the officer of the day were made the
- 273 Captain Bainbridge's efforts to sink the Philadelphia proved ineffectual. During a high wind the prize was got off the reef, her leaks stopped, and she taken in triumph to the city. Her guns, anchors, and other articles were raised from the reef, the s.h
- 274 Electricity, which during all previous time had laughed at bonds, was soon to become man's slave, and to be made his purveyor of news. It is the story of this chaining of the lightning, and forcing it to become the swift conveyer of man's sayings and do
- 275 Cornell questioned him closely, got a clear idea of the scheme, saw the pipe that was to be used, and expressed doubts of its working."It will work, for it has worked," said Morse. "While I have been fighting Congress, inventors in Europe have been exp
- 276 At ten o'clock the Monitor steamed away, as if in flight.The Merrimac now prepared to pay attention again to the Minnesota, her captain deeming that he had silenced his tormenting foe. He was mistaken. In half an hour the Monitor, having hoisted a new su
- 277 There was one box-car left. That might serve his purpose. He had his men pile wood on its floor, and light this with coals from the engine. In a minute it was burning. The draught made by the rus.h.i.+ng train soon blew the fire into a roaring flame. By t
- 278 "If you can keep out of the way of rebel scouts for twenty-four hours more," he continued, "you will very likely come across some of your own troops. But you are on very dangerous ground. Here is the scouting-place of both armies, and guerillas and bus
- 279 It proves to be no pleasant refuge. The mire is too deep to walk in, while above it grow tangled briers and th.o.r.n.y shrubs, through which he is able to pa.s.s only as before, by lying on his back, and pus.h.i.+ng and pulling himself onward.The hours of
- 280 Those who took the long voyage to the mouth of the Yukon and journeyed by steamer up that stream had their difficulties with ice and current, and it was not uncommon for them to be frozen in, leaving them the sole expedient of the dog sled, if they electe
- 281 At this threat three of the ministers left the room and escaped from the building. They remembered the fate of certain representatives who fell into the hands of a Hawaiian mob in 1874. Mr. Parker alone had the courage to remain. He feared that if the que
- 282 Historical Tales.Vol. 2.by Charles Morris._PONCE DE LEON AND THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH._ A golden Easter day was that of the far-away year 1513, when a small fleet of Spanish s.h.i.+ps, sailing westward from the green Bahamas, first came in sight of a flower-
- 283 At this critical moment Smith's good angel watched over him. A low cry of pity was heard, and the young girl who had watched him with such concern sprang forward and clasped her arms around the poor prisoner, looking up at the Indian emperor with beseech
- 284 This continued till one of the burgesses came to the window and waved his handkerchief, calling out, "You shall have it; you shall have it."Hearing this, the men drew back and rested their guns on the ground and Bacon left the chamber and joined them. T
- 285 Here the tribes were absolute monarchies. The head-chief, or king, had the lives and property of all his subjects at his disposal, and kept his court with the ceremonious dignity of a European monarch. When he called on La Salle, who was too sick at that
- 286 As may be seen, this ma.s.sacre was due to the injustice, and to the subsequent incompetence, of one man, Chopart, the commandant. It led to lamentable consequences, in the utter destruction of the Natchez nation and the loss of one of the most interestin
- 287 _A BOY'S WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE WILDWOOD._ We wish to say something here about a curious old man who lived in Virginia when George Was.h.i.+ngton was a boy, and who was wise enough to see that young Was.h.i.+ngton was anything but a common boy. This man
- 288 The audience listened in surprise, the clergy in consternation. Was this the Patrick Henry they had known? It was very evident that the young advocate knew just what he was talking about, and he went on with a forcible and burning eloquence that fairly ca
- 289 The victorious governor hastened to make revengeful use of his triumph.He began the next day by hanging James Few, one of the prisoners, as an outlaw, and confiscating his estate. A series of severe proclamations followed, and his troops lived at free qua
- 290 So far all had gone well. The journey had been slow and weeks had lengthened into months, but no misadventure had happened, and their hearts were full of hope as the deeply laden craft were rowed into the Ohio and began the toilsome ascent of that stream.
- 291 Never was the South in so desperate a plight as in the autumn months of that year of peril, 1780. The British had made themselves masters of Georgia, and South Carolina and North Carolina were strongly threatened.The boastful Gates had been defeated at Ca
- 292 Tarleton's abundant baggage was burned by his own order to save it from capture. In this signal victory Morgan lost only ten men killed and sixty wounded.And now began that famous retreat, which was of more advantage to the Americans than a victory. Morg
- 293 A year before Jackson had led two thousand men to Natchez to defend New Orleans in case the British should come, and had been made by the government a major-general of volunteers. He was the man every one wanted now, but to get him seemed impossible, and
- 294 Not long after this time the British cruisers broke up the pirate hordes which had long infested the West Indies. Their haunts were taken and they had to flee. Some of them became smugglers, landing their goods on Amelia Island, on the coast of Florida. O
- 295 The end was near at hand. Soon after midnight on the 6th the Mexican army gathered close around the fort, prepared for an a.s.sault. The infantry carried scaling-ladders. Behind them were drawn up the cavalry with orders to kill any man who might fly from
- 296 Up this hill went the American infantry like so many panthers, bounding impetuously onward in face of the hot fire from the Mexican works, scaling crags, clambering up declivities, all with a fiery valor and intrepidity which nothing could check, until th
- 297 Gordon's company was among the earliest of these volunteers. Reluctantly leaving their horses, and not waiting for orders, they bade a quick adieu to all they had held dear and set off cheerily for Milledgeville, then the capital of Georgia. They were de
- 298 Every hour of delay added to the dangers surrounding them. Troops were hastily marching to cut off their retreat; cavalry was gathering to intercept them; scouts were watching every road and every movement.Worst of all was the rain, which had grown heavy
- 299 Streight now decided to get on with pack-mules, and the wagons were bunched and set on fire, the command leaving them burning as it moved on. They did not burn long. Forrest's advance came on with a yell, swept the Federal rear-guard from the village, an
- 300 "'Starboard, and go ahead easy,' was the order now, and as we crept in not a sound was heard but that of the regular beat of the paddle-floats, still dangerously loud in spite of our snail's pace. Suddenly Burroughs gripped my arm,-- "'There's one