near him a youth, whom, by his rustic dress, he judged to be a shepherd, and who, armed with a spear, excited the enraged beast towards himself. The animal, indeed, turned towards his new adversary, who waited his approach with firmness until he was almost upon him, and then drove in the steel between shoulder and shoulder with such dexterity and power that half of the spear entered with it. The wild boar fell weltering in his blood, and yielded up his life at the feet of his conqueror.

The king remained fixed in astonishment at seeing so gallant an action performed by a rustic apparently so young, for he seemed not to have attained as yet the age of twenty. And his gratitude was no less than his surprise; for, forgetting his dignity, he threw his arms around the neck of the youth, calling him his preserver, and lavishing upon him the most flattering expressions. Desirous to reward and favour him, the king wished to know who he was, where he dwelt, and by what chance he had arrived so opportunely to afford him such important succour.

The ingenuous shepherd, without being disturbed by the presence of the king, whom as yet he did not know, notwithstanding his badges, readily answered his questions; and pointing to the neighbouring mountains, "There," said he, "at the foot of those mountains, and in a sheltered and retired spot, dwells an old labourer called

Ruy Velasco, to whom I, García, owe the pleasant title of father. To tend his flocks, and to defend them from the rapacity of the wolf, are the sum of my duties; to wander over these mountains, subject the wild beasts without arms, and to outstrip the stag in swiftness, are my exercises and pastimes. But alas! how different from those to which my natural inclination calls me! When I hear the sonorous voice of the trumpet, when I see a warrior armed, or the banners of my king spread to the wind, my inmost soul is agitated, my heart palpitates, and, burning with desire to take arms and to earn for myself a name, I resolve to abandon these solitudes to which my lot has condemned me; but my father, opposing my wishes, detains me, subjects me, and with a serious air tells me it is not yet time. To-day, leaving the flock to the care of my mastiffs, I came off to discover from this height the direction which a stag had taken that just now entered the valley, flying from some hunters. I arrived here, saw your danger, and finding this javelin on the ground, seized it to defend you; the rest you already know. And now, sir knight, farewell; and may Heaven bless and prosper you, for I already see from hence your companions, who will, no doubt, be seeking you. By this path you may meet them. I must take the other, which leads to my cottage. Farewell, I say, and if at any time you have need, for honourable purposes, of

a strong arm and a fearless heart, remember the humble shepherd of the valley of Miduerna."

"It must not be so," said the generous Alfonso, on whose heart the gallant behaviour of this youth, his pleasant address, and his prepossessing physiognomy, had already made a deep impression, "it must not be so; if fortune has been unjust in denying to you a nobility which nature has granted you, it rests with me to rectify her errors, by placing you in a situation where the noble inclinations which animate you may have a chance to expand. And rest assured that the king himself has not more power than I to serve you; and it is my wish that you should present yourself tomorrow on the part of the knight of the red riband. Leave the rest to me. But first I must make myself sure of your person by this chain, which shall be the sign of my gratitude and the bond of your wishes." In saying this, he took from his neck a chain of inestimable price, and García, receiving it respectfully, took his leave anew, promising that, when the star of day should return to that part of the heavens in which he now appeared, he would seek his new acquaintance in the court of Leon.

CHAPTER II

DON ALFONSO and the youth who had rendered him so effectual a service having parted, the one with his followers took the way of the court, the other, taking a path which led towards the mountains, hastened to return to his rustic dwelling. Ruy Velasco, when he saw him returning earlier than usual, was about to inquire the cause, when García, anticipating his questions, gave him a perfect account of what had happened. Filled with pleasure and admiration, he raised his hands and eyes to heaven, and exclaimed, "Oh fortunate day! Oh wise Providence! How thy designs in favour of this youth are discovered by the events of this day!" Then turning to García, he said, "In a happy hour has it chanced to you to succour this knight, whose life is of more consequence than you are aware of; but be it so, for at the court you will comprehend the full extent of your good fortune, and be able to make a beginning of the brilliant career which must lead you to the happy end that Heaven reserves for you."

"Be it as you say," replied García; "but if

you do not come with me to be a sharer of my fortunes, from this hour I renounce the court and all its attractions, and whatever favours the hand of power may grant me."

"It must not be," said Ruy Velasco; "you must navigate alone this ocean, in which the ship of my fortunes has already been wrecked. Do you seek glory, engage in enterprises, encounter dangers; to this your destiny calls you: but I, forced by my adverse fate to remain in this obscure asylum, can at present only accompany you with my wishes for success."

In this and similar conversation, and in making the necessary preparations for the departure of the young Velasco on the following day, they passed the evening and part of the night.

Hardly had the day begun to dawn, when García sprang from his bed and went to seek his father, who was already waiting for him. The old man, opening a trunk which had hitherto remained shut, took from it a quantity of clothes and dresses of an exquisite taste, and so rich that their splendour dazzled the sight, and filled García with admiration. Without satisfying the curiosity that he manifested, his father told him to dress himself in whatever suited him best. He immediately obeyed; and having laid aside the rustic dress he had till then worn, García appeared in the dress of a courtier, so gallant and so ele