A VALENTAM. 



119 



were in the fort were now seen preparing for its 

 defence ; there was much firing, and at last, 

 after many struggles on both sides, it was taken 

 by the Christians. The Moorish vessels how- 

 ever escaped and landed their crews, the oppo- 

 site party doing the same. The armies met on 

 shore and fought hand to hand for a consider- 

 able time, but in the end the Moorish king was 

 taken prisoner, hurled from his throne, and 

 forcibly baptised. The whole affair was very 

 gay, for the sands were crowded with people 

 who were all in their best clothes, finery of 

 many kinds being displayed — silks, satins, mus- 

 lins, and printed cottons j ornaments of gold 

 and of precious stones ; bonnets of straw, and 

 of silks, and ribbons of all colours in great 

 quantities ; shoes, white, black, and of varidus 

 tints ; then there were coats that had not for 

 many a day seen the light ; cotton and cloth 

 jackets made for the occasion, embroidered 

 waistcoats, and others more general of less 

 costly materials ; pantaloons of nankeen and of 

 various other light materials ; cocked hats, a few 

 of beaver and of straw, and round ones many ; 

 half boots, and shoes and buckles. 



There appeared at Pillar one of the Valentoens, 

 who had often created great disturbances in 

 many parts, and although his apprehension was 

 much desired, he trod the soil of Pillar with great 

 confidence, as if he was aware that his person was 



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