Page 448 - Child's own book

the fatal fire. At this moment a banner of defiancc was seen
waving in the air, and in an instant St. George rushed through
the crowd, and asked the re­
lease of the princess, or that
he might fight tin to death in
her defence. The heralds
sounded a charge, and the
two knights engaged one
another. At the very first
onset their spears were broken
into a thousand pieces, and both horses and men were thrown
to the ground* The baron of Chester leaped up, and struck so
fiercely with bis falchion, that he cleft his enemy's shield in
two. The Champion nf England now put forth his strength*
cut quite through the baron's armour, and smote oflT his light
arm, so that he sunk to the earth, and died with a dreadful
groan. AH tho people now burst out into loud shouts of ap­
plause; and when the fair princess found that the strange
knight was St. George of England, she fainted with a transport
of joy. The king gave orders for fireworks and other marks
of public joy through all the kingdom. After SL George had
stayed about twenty days in England, be set sail with his beloted
Sahra for llrecce, and from thence went towards Persia ; but
having lost their way, they sat down by the side of a fountain*
where Ihey saw an old hermit that was in search of herbs and
fruits. The hermit told them they must crossover the moun­
tains, and pass through part of the Amazons’ country, to the
borders of Persia. When they had crossed thn steep mountains,
they came into an open country, but were amazed to find the
trees withered, the fruits of the earth spoiled, and aH the bouses
empty of people. While (hey were thinking on this strange
sight, they drew nigh to a noble tent, in which sat a beautiful