The Seven Champions of ChristendomKingston, William Henry Giles
Science
The Seven Champions of Christendom
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Christian saints
And now the adventures of the far-famed Saint Andrew of Scotland claim
our attention, after he quitted the brazen pillar, followed by his
faithful Squire, Murdoch McAlpine of that ilk. On he travelled
eastward, in the face of the rays of the glittering sun, which sparkled
on his shield and casque with dazzling brightness, and so astonished all
beholders that they fled dismayed before him, till he crossed the wild
territories of Russia, and entered the wilder deserts of Siberia. Then,
turning north, he found himself in a region where, for many weary
months, the sun never rose, and he and the faithful Murdoch had to
discover their way by poking before them with their spears, every moment
expecting to meet with some huge monster with whom they might be called
to combat. Nor did they expect in vain, for suddenly a loud growl
assailed their ears, and the moon, just then rising, exhibited to them a
whole army of bears, prepared to dispute their onward progress.
"Draw your broad-sword, mon, and follow me," cried Saint Andrew, shaking
his spear.
The Squire, tucking up his plaid carefully, that it might not be torn or
soiled, with loud shouts obeyed, and soon both were dashing and slashing
away among the infuriated brutes. The heads of numbers rolled upon the
snow, which for miles round was ensanguined with their blood.
"Few creatures are more difficult to get rid of than bears," observed
the Knight, charging again. "On, Murdoch, on, we'll do it if it is to
be done, for what men dare they can do!"
Thus shouting and slaying, the Knight and his Squire fought on for many
hours, till the survivors of the bears, discovering that they were
likely to get the worst of it in the end, took to flight, and stopped
not till they reached the North Pole, where they stopped only because
they could go no further, and where Saint Andrew agreed that it was not
worth while following them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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