Chapter 11

CHAPTER XI.
ASTOLPHO'S ADVENTURES CONTINUED, AND ISABELLA'S BEGUN. WHEN Astolpho escaped from the cruel Alcina, after a short abode
in the realm of the virtuous Logestilla, he desired to return to his
native country. Logestilla lent him the best vessel of her fleet to
convey him to the mainland. She gave him at parting a wonderful
book, which taught the secret of overcoming all manner of
enchantments, and begged him to carry it always with him, out of
regard for her. She also gave him another gift, which surpassed
everything of the kind that mortal workmanship can frame; yet it was
nothing in appearance but a simple horn.
Astolpho, protected by these gifts, thanked the good fairy, took
leave of her, and set out on his return to France. His voyage was
prosperous, and on reaching the desired port he took leave of the
faithful mariners, and continued his journey by land. As he
proceeded over mountains and through valleys, he often met with
bands of robbers, wild beasts, and venomous serpents, but he had
only to sound his horn to put them all to flight.
Having landed in France, and traversed many provinces on his way
to the army, he one day, in crossing a forest, arrived beside a
fountain, and alighted to drink. While he stooped at the fountain, a
young rustic sprang from the copse, mounted Rabican, and rode away. It
was a new trick of the enchanter Atlantes. Astolpho, hearing the
noise, turned his head just in time to see his loss; and, starting up,
pursued the thief, who, on his part, did not press the horse to his
full speed, but just kept in sight of his pursuer till they both
issued from the forest; and then Rabican and his rider took shelter in
a castle which stood near. Astolpho followed, and penetrated without
difficulty within the court-yard of the castle, where he looked around
for the rider and his horse, but could see no trace of either, nor any
person of whom he could make inquiry. Suspecting that enchantment
was employed to embarrass him, he bethought him of his book, and on
consulting it discovered that his suspicions were well founded. He
also learned what course to pursue. He was directed to raise the stone
which served as a threshold, under which a spirit lay pent, who
would willingly escape, and leave the castle free of access.
Astolpho applied his strength to lift aside the stone. Thereupon the
magician put his arts in force. The castle was full of prisoners,
and the magician caused that to all of them Astolpho should appear
in some false guise,- to some a wild beast, to others a giant, to
others a bird of prey. Thus all assailed him, and would quickly have
made an end of him, if he had not bethought him of his horn. No sooner
had he blown a blast than, at the horrid alarm, fled the