VALEN-
TINE AND
ORSON

off a branch of the tree, and threw it at Orson’s
feet; who, looking up and espying Valentine in
the tree, uttered a growl of fury, and darted up
the tree like lightning. Valentine as quickly
slipped down on the other side. Orson seeing
him on the ground leaped from the tree, and, open-
ing his arms, prepared in his usual manner to rush
upon and overthrow his antagonist; but Valentine
holding up his polished steel shield Orson sudden-
ly beheld, instead of the person he meant to seize,
his own wild and terror-striking figure. Upon
Valentine’s lowering the shield, he again saw his
enemy, and with a cry of transport prepared to
grasp him in his arms. The strength of Orson
was so very great, that Valentine was unable to
defend himself without having recourse to his
sword. When Orson received a wound from the
sword, he uttered loud shrieks of anger and sur-
prise, and instantly tearing up by the roots a large
tree, furiously attacked Valentine. A dreadful
fight now ensued, and the victory was a long time
doubtful; Orson received many dreadful wounds
from the sword of Valentine, and Valentine with
great difficulty escaped from being crushed to
death beneath the weighty club of Orson. At last
Valentine’s skill prevailed, and the wild man was
copduered; and lay prostrate on the ground at his
eet.

Valentine now made signs to Orson that he
wished him to accompany him, on which he quietly
suffered his hands to be bound; and Valentine
having mounted his horse, the two brothers pro-
ceeded towards Orleans.

CHAPTER III
WHEREVER they passed, the people on seeing

the wild man, ran into their houses and hid them-
42