GOLDEN DEEDS STORIES FROM HISTORY [Illustration] RETOLD FOR LITTLE FOLK BLACKIE AND SON LIMITED LONDON GLASGOW DUBLIN BOMBAY [Illustration] CONTENTS How Horatius Kept the Bridge William Tell Catherine Douglas Casabianca Handel, the Great Musician The Story of Columbus Antonio Canova Damon and Pythias Charlemagne and the Charcoal-burner [Illustration] How Horatius Kept the Bridge More than two thousand years ago Rome was ruled over by some kingscalled the Tarquins. As they were wicked men, the Roman people rose upagainst them, and drove them out of the city. The banished kings thenwent to Tuscany, where Lars Porsena took up their cause, and gatheringan army together, went to help them force an entrance into Rome again. The city could only be entered by crossing the river Tiber, and therewas but one wooden bridge over which the army could pass. Then theleader of the Romans, who was called the Consul, cried out to hisfollowers to destroy the bridge. "But, " he added sadly, "I fear they will be upon us before we have timeto hew it down. " At this a Roman called Horatius came forward and offered to stand at thefarther end of the bridge, to keep the Tuscans at bay while it was beingdestroyed. "The pathway is so narrow, " said he, "that if two others will help me, we can stop the whole army from advancing. So who will keep the bridgewith me?" Two other brave Romans, called Spurius Lartius and Titus Herminius, atonce answered the call of their comrade, and these three gallant menwent to defend the passage, while the rest hastened to destroy thebridge. When the Tuscans saw the three men standing ready to meet the wholearmy, they laughed aloud in scorn. But their laughter was soon changedto wrath and despair, as one after the other they and their chiefs werequickly laid low at the feet of the dauntless Romans. Meanwhile the supports of the bridge were destroyed. The Consul shoutedto the three heroes to hasten across before the ruin fell into the waterbeneath. Lartius and Herminius just succeeded in getting safely to thefarther bank, but Horatius remained facing the foe until the last beamfell. Then with a cry he leapt into the foaming stream, and althoughbadly wounded and heavy with his armour, he managed to rejoin hiscomrades on dry land, to the joy of the whole city. During his gallantfight, a dart from an enemy's arrow had put out one eye, and because ofthis he was given the surname of Cocles, which means one-eyed. [Illustration: HORATIUS AT THE BRIDGE] William Tell When the Emperor Albert ruled over Germany, he wished to govern thepeople of Switzerland in such a way that their independent spirit wouldbe broken. To bring about this end he appointed a governor, who treatedthe Swiss unjustly and cruelly. The name of this man was Gessler, and in order to test the people'sobedience, he placed his hat upon a pole in the market square of one ofthe principal towns, and commanded that all who passed it should bowdown before it in token of respect. A certain brave Swiss, named WilliamTell, having refused to obey such an absurd order, was at once arrestedand taken before Gessler. The tyrant, who knew him to be a cleverarcher, said that his life would be spared only on the condition that heshould with an arrow hit an apple placed upon the head of his only son. Tell's eye was true, so he consented to the horrible proposal. An apple having been placed upon the head of his little son, he took hisbow and quiver, and prepared to take aim. A moment later the apple, split in two halves, fell to the ground. Gessler, who was enraged at Tell's success, noticed that he carriedanother arrow under his cloak. "What have you a second arrow for?" he demanded. "If I had killed my boy, " replied the bold Swiss, "the second arrow wasfor you. " The angry governor had him thrown into prison, but Tell escaped, andrevenged himself by killing the tyrant. [Illustration: TELL'S SON AND THE APPLE] [Illustration: FOR THE KING!] Catherine Douglas When King James came to the throne of Scotland, the whole country was ina state of rebellion. The King tried to restore order, but the wicked nobles hated him, andplotted together to take his life. It was Christmas, and King James, with his Queen Joan and a party offaithful friends, was celebrating the season at an old monastery inPerth. The day had passed merrily, and the royal couple prepared toretire. Suddenly the clang of arms was heard. The ladies rushed to secure thedoor of the room, but alas! the bolts and bars had gone, and only theempty staples remained. Meanwhile King James seized the tongs, andtearing up a board in the floor, let himself down into a vault below. But before there was time to replace the board, the murderers camerushing along. Then Catherine Douglas, one of the Queen's ladies, flewto the door and thrust her arm through the empty staples, thus gainingtime to allow her sovereign to escape. The brave arm was but a frailbar, and was soon broken, and the traitors burst into the room, to findno sign of King James. Unfortunately the King was unable to get out of the vault. The ladiesthen made ropes of the sheets, and tried to pull him up, but the noisewas heard by the ruffians. They again rushed into the room and theunfortunate monarch was most cruelly murdered. Although Catherine's brave deed was not rewarded by the salvation of herKing's life, yet it was an act of self-sacrifice which places her amongthe ranks of true heroines. Casabianca The Battle of the Nile was a great battle fought at sea between theBritish and French in the year 1798. The famous admiral, Lord Nelson, was in command of the British fleet, and he won a most glorious victoryin which only four French ships escaped. Towards the close of the battle the French Admiral's flagship, _L'Orient_, caught fire, and blazed up with terrible brightness. LordNelson immediately gave orders that the British boats should be put offto save as many as possible of the poor sailors on the burning vessel. When the boats reached her side, most of the French officers acceptedthe offer of safety and sprang into them. Standing upon _L'Orient's_deck was the little ten-year-old son of the Captain, named Casabianca, who was the favourite of everyone on board, and as he made no attempt tomove, the British sailors shouted to him to come with them. "No, " replied the boy; "my father told me to remain here, and not tostir unless he called me. " "But, " cried the sailors in amazement, "your father lies mortallywounded on deck, and the ship will soon blow up. Jump into the boat andsave yourself. " "No, " again responded the little fellow; "I must obey my father'sorders. " As there was no time to linger, the boat put off from the ship's side. Afew minutes later the figure of Casabianca was seen in the glare of theflames, leaning over the prostrate figure of his father. [Illustration: CASABIANCA ON THE BURNING SHIP] Soon after, a terrible explosion shook every ship in the bay, whileburning fragments of _L'Orient_ were hurled in the air, falling heavilyto the water in all directions. A dead silence followed this fearfulsound, and then the British boats rowed busily about, picking up thosewho had leapt from the burning vessel in time to save their lives. Inthis way about seventy were saved. But where was the brave boy, Casabianca? Not a sign of him was to be seen. The noble lad had perishedwith his father, faithful until death. [Illustration] Handel, the Great Musician In the small German town of Halle there once lived a barber-surgeonnamed George Handel. In those days barbers were nearly always surgeonsas well, and George Handel was a very respected member of theprofession. He had a large family of sons and daughters, the youngest ofwhom was called George Frederick. When quite a small child this littlefellow showed a decided taste for music. In the nursery his only toyswere trumpets, drums, flutes, and anything out of which he could getmusical sounds. As he grew older this intense love of music increased, until it became the one great thought and pleasure of his life. Seeingthis his father was very distressed and alarmed, for he did not wish hislittle son to take up music as the means of earning his living. At that time organists and musicians were very poorly paid, and GeorgeHandel wanted his boy to get on well in the world. So he tried to turnthe child's mind away from all such ideas, by never allowing him to goto any place where music was performed, and by sending every instrumentout of his house. But in spite of so much care and trouble taken, it wasimpossible to destroy the strongest desire of the boy's nature. One night, after the household had gone to bed, Mr. Handel was awakenedby the sound of soft music stealing from an unused garret. He arose ingreat surprise, and calling his wife they went to find out the cause ofthese strange sounds. Going quietly to the garret they paused to listen outside for a fewmoments, when their astonishment was increased by the beauty of themelody which met their ears. Then, opening the door and holding up thecandle he carried, George Handel peered wonderingly into the dusty oldlumber-room. There, seated at a clavichord (an instrument something likea piano, only much smaller), was his little son Frederick, then only sixyears old. The child had coaxed one of his aunts, who was his friend andsympathizer, to help him smuggle the clavichord into the garret, wherehe taught himself to play while his parents were asleep, or out of thehouse. The wonderful sweetness of the music, together with the earnestentreaties of the tiny performer, softened the heart of his father toforgiveness of his conduct. But even then the old gentleman could not beinduced to allow his son to follow the profession for which nature hadso well fitted him, as he feared he would not be able to earn his livingat it. However, it happened not long after that the Duke ofSaxe-Weissenfels heard the boy play, and was so struck by his geniusthat he persuaded his parent to consent to have him properly trained. When once he was enabled to continue his studies under the guidance of agood master, it did not take young Handel long to show not only hisfather, but the whole world, that he was a truly great and marvellouslygifted musician. To-day his famous oratorios are played everywhere, andpeople delight in them and marvel at them just as much as when they werefirst produced. [Illustration: THE CHILD MUSICIAN] [Illustration: COLUMBUS ON HIS VOYAGE TO AMERICA] The Story of Columbus About four hundred years ago there lived an Italian sailor, namedChristopher Columbus. In those days people supposed that there were nocontinents in the world besides Europe, Asia, and Africa, but Columbusbelieved there was a great country across the ocean that had never beendiscovered. He felt a burning desire to sail in search of this land, butas he was a poor man he had not the money with which to get thenecessary ships and men. For some time he wandered from place to placetrying to induce others to help him carry out his plan, but he was onlylaughed at and called a fool and a madman. At length he obtained aninterview with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. At first theyrefused to give him any assistance, but afterwards the Queen said shewould pledge her jewels to raise the needful money. So in the month of August, Columbus sailed away upon his voyage ofdiscovery, his little fleet consisting of three small vessels. For fourweeks they sailed on over the dark and stormy waters, during which timeColumbus had much trouble with his sailors, who grumbled and complainedunceasingly. When at length they found themselves alone on the vastunknown seas, with no sign of land, they became panic-stricken, andimplored Columbus to take them home again. He reproved them for theirwant of courage. Then for a little while they showed a braver spirit, but before long they again broke out into rebellion; but Columbus was sostrong-minded and courageous that he succeeded in quelling the mutiny. Thus days passed, until one night, in the middle of October, as Columbuswas walking on deck he suddenly saw a light ahead which told thesea-weary mariners that the longed-for land must lie not far distant. When at last dawn came it showed an island lying in the blue watersbefore them. A boat was at once lowered, in which Columbus and a partyof his men landed upon the unknown shore. Groups of dark-skinned nativescrowded to the water side, gazing in fear and wonder at the strangewhite men. Then, with the Spanish royal flag in one hand and his swordin the other, he took possession of the island in the name of KingFerdinand and Queen Isabella. Having visited other islands, Columbusreturned in triumph to Spain, where he was greeted as a hero. [Illustration] Antonio Canova In the sunny land of Italy, in the obscure little village of Possagnonear Venice, there once lived a little lad whose name was AntonioCanova. As he was left an orphan at three years old he dwelt with hisgrandfather, who earned his living by cutting figures and ornaments outof stone. The old man took the greatest care of his grandson and wishedto train Antonio to become a stone-cutter too, so with this end in viewthe boy was taught drawing. He soon showed great talent, and when hebegan to model birds and flowers in clay, he succeeded so well that hisgrandfather was both astonished and delighted. Even in his ninth year hemade two beautiful marble shrines which can be seen to this day. One day a nobleman called Giovanni Falieri, who was about to give alarge dinner party, asked old Canova to make him some ornament for thetable. He said he did not care what it was, but wanted something new anduncommon. There was but little time before the date fixed for the party, and the old stone-cutter tried in vain to think of a suitable object. Seeing his grandfather so troubled, Antonio said to him, "I think I canmake something to please his lordship. If you will let me have some goodhard butter I will make him a butter lion. " "That is an excellent idea, " replied the old man. And he sent for thebutter at once. Antonio set to work, and very soon he had shaped a lion's head, withfine flowing mane, out of the creamy mass. Then followed a beautifullyformed body and limbs. [Illustration: A CLEVER PUPIL] [Illustration: CANOVA'S BUTTER LION] When the animal was complete his grandfather looked at it with intensepride and admiration, and it was carefully carried to his lordship. Itattracted a great deal of attention at the dinner party, and amid criesof wonderment was passed from hand to hand. When the nobleman and hisguests heard that it was the work of a boy, they expressed a greatdesire to see the talented young artist. Antonio was sent for, and hislordship was so impressed with his talent that he promised to see thathe had the best masters, and that he was given every chance to succeedin his profession. Giovanni Falieri nobly kept his word, and placed him as a pupil underBernardi, or as he is usually called Torretti, a famous Venetiansculptor, who happened to be staying in a neighbouring village at thetime. By the aid of this kind friend, and the power of his own genius, Antonio became a world-renowned sculptor. And not only was he a famoussculptor, but he was even entrusted with great affairs of state. When the great Napoleon conquered Italy he carried off most unjustlyhundreds of priceless works of art, and when the tyrant was overthrownthe young Canova was sent as ambassador to Paris to find the whereaboutsof these works. For these and other services he was made by the PopeMarquis of Ischia, and given a pension of 3000 scudi. But Canova wasvery good and generous and he devoted all this pension for the relief ofhis poor brother artists. Thus the little figure of the butter lionproved to be the stepping-stone to fame. [Illustration] Damon and Pythias The city of Syracuse was once ruled over by a clever but very cruel mancalled Dionysius. Perhaps he would not have been so harsh and cruel ifhe had been able to trust his people; but he knew that the Syracusanshated him. It happened that he once suspected a certain Greek calledPythias, and his anger was so terrible that he sentenced the unfortunateman to death. Pythias begged to be allowed to go and bid his relationsin the country farewell, promising to return at a given time to sufferthe death to which he had been condemned. Dionysius laughed his requestto scorn, saying that once he was safely out of Syracuse it was notlikely he would ever return to die. Pythias replied that he had afriend, named Damon, who would be answerable for his return at thegiven time. Damon then came forward and swore that if Pythias did notkeep his word, he himself would suffer death in his stead. Dionysiusconsented to let Pythias go. Time went on and the day fixed for his return drew near, but still hedid not come. The Syracusans told Damon that he would have to die forhis faithless friend, but Damon showed no anxiety. At length the veryday and hour upon which the condemned man was to die came round. But afew minutes before the fatal time Pythias rushed in, and having warmlyembraced his friend, he went forward to take his place. Dionysius was sostruck by the conduct of the two men that he pardoned Pythias, andcalling him and Damon to his side he entreated them to allow him to be athird in their friendship. [Illustration] [Illustration: CHARLEMAGNE AND THE CHARCOAL BURNER] Charlemagne and the Charcoal-burner Once the noble Charlemagne, King of the Franks, was riding across alonely moor with some of his courtiers, when they were overtaken by aterrific storm. It became so dark that the party lost sight of oneanother, and the King found himself alone in the tempest of wind andrain. As he struggled on he met a poor man leading a horse with twogreat baskets upon its back. "What is your name, friend?" enquired Charlemagne. "I am Ralph, the charcoal-burner, " replied the man. "Can you tell me where I can find shelter for my horse and myself?"asked the King. "If you care to come with me to my cottage you will be very welcome, "answered Ralph. The King was only too glad to accompany the man to his house in theforest. When they reached the door the charcoal-burner called to hiswife to hasten to let them in. Ralph stood aside for his companion topass in first, but Charlemagne hung back behind. Seeing this the mantook him by the neck and pushed him in the house, saying, "It is onlyright that my guest should enter first. " When supper was ready the charcoal-burner bade King Charlemagne go tothe table before him. But again His Majesty held back. Then Ralph gavehis visitor such a sound box on the ear that he staggered and fell. "Why will you not do as I bid you?" he cried angrily. "These are strange doings indeed, " said the King to himself, as he rosefrom the ground. "Now tell me who you are, and where you live?" said the peasant to hisroyal guest. "My name is Uzmond, and I live at Court, where I have an office with theQueen, " replied Charlemagne. Early the next morning, Charlemagne before starting offered to pay Ralphfor his food and lodging, but the man refused to take payment forsheltering one who belonged to the Court of the noble King of France. "So be it, " answered His Majesty. "But if you will not let me pay you, come to the Court with a load of coals and I will see that you sell yourgoods. " "That will I do, " answered Ralph. The following day Ralph loaded his mare with two large baskets of coaland set off to Court. When he arrived there he asked for one Uzmond, butno one knew of such a person. The King had given orders that he shouldbe admitted into the Palace, and at length he came to a splendid hall, where Charlemagne sat at dinner with his nobles. The poorcharcoal-burner at once pointed at His Majesty, exclaiming, "See, theresits Uzmond, but truly he must be a greater man than he said!" At this His Majesty burst into a loud laugh, and rising from his seat hetold the whole company how he had fared at Ralph's cottage. The lordsall laughed heartily, but some of them would have had Ralph punished forhaving boxed the King's ears. "Nay, " said Charlemagne, "Heaven forbid I should harm him. He is anhonest man who can strike a hard blow, and I shall make him a knightinstead. " [Illustration: THE CHARCOAL BURNER AT THE PALACE] * * * * * Transcriber's Note: The original did not have a List of Stories, one wasadded to this version.