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Learn more- A glimpse of old Spain, when might was right and the chivalric swords of the knights of old were ever wont to leap from their scabbards in defense of beauty and defiance of oppression, forms the basis of this latest offering of the Selig Polyscope Company. The opening scene of the picture shows the interior of a wayside inn where arc gathered some brigands (hardy knights of the road) who are discussing the incidents of their last camp upon the Kings highway. Don Jose de Sanchez, a poor but brave young nobleman, alights from his steed to refresh himself and partake of the hospitality of the innkeepers cheer. The loader of the brigands, who is inclined to be quarrelsome, resents the presence of Don Jose and a fight is nearly precipitated. The trouble being averted, however, by the entrance of a servant bearing a message from Maratana, the lady love of our handsome hero, asking him to accompany her on the following day to her fathers castle, where the consent of her proud and haughty parents to their marriage must be obtained, Delighted at the prospect of a happy consummation of his suit, Don Jose hastily departs from the inn and rides away intent upon his most agreeable errand. Near this wayside inn resides an old miser, whose hoard of gold was thought to be of fabulous proportions, and many times had the brigands who were carousing at the inn discussed the feasibility of following the old miser to his house, and locating the piles of gold that were said to e concealed in a most mysterious manner. Fearful of the ultimate success of the robbers in the undertaking to part him from his beloved gold, the old miser resolves to move the treasure to a remote and secluded spot, known only to himself. Not far distant from his house is a mammoth cave, through which flows an underground river, and in its black depths the miser conceals his wealth. Happy in the thought of its security, he enters his boat and rows up the dark stream to the entrance to the cave, and securing his pack mule he sets out upon his return to his wretched home. His path lies through the lonely woods and unconscious of danger lurking near, he proceeds cheerfully on his way. Suddenly from a clump of trees a dozen horsemen dash into view and quickly surrounding him the brigands pound upon him and demand to know where he has hidden his gold. In desperation the poor wretch breaks from their midst and runs screaming towards the highway. Now it happens that Don Jose and his love, together with two servants, are passing nearby on their journey, and seeing the fleeing miser, Don Jose dismounts from his horse and stands ready to defend him. Throwing him at our heros feet, the frightened old man begs for protection. On come the pursuing brigands but by this time Don Joses servants have swords drawn and are prepared to back up the master. In an instant Don Joses dreaded sword is playing like lightning around the breast of the surprised brigand chief, and in less time than it to tell it, the robbers are dispersed and the miser looked to. But the old man is almost dead of fright and a wound inflicted by his enemies. Supporting him to his feet, he is carefully lifted upon the back of one of the horses and conveyed to the nearest inn. Here, realizing that he is dying, and grateful to his defenders the miser dictates his will, leaving the hidden treasure to Don Jose and describing the place where it is located. Then sinking into unconsciousness he is carried to a bedchamber in the hostelry, when he soon passes away. Proceeding to the castle Don Jose delivers his fair charge, the lovely Maratana, into her fathers arms. He then asks her parents consent to her marriage, which is refused: You are too poor sir. My daughter was reared in luxury and she must wed a nobleman of wealth and power. Agreed, cried the undaunted Don Jose, I shall bring her wealth as well as a noble name. Then producing the misers will he tells the father of the great treasure that is now his. The incredulous old nobleman laughs at the young lovers claim but finally gives his consent to his daughters marriage if Don Jose can prove his right to aspire so high. Then your lovely daughter is mine, cries the delighted young man as he dashes away to find the hidden treasure. How he secured the misers boat and entered the dark and mysterious cave of the underground river: how the robbers followed and attacked him in the depths of the cavern: how in a thrilling sword fight he overcomes his foes and succeeds in unearthing, single handed, the great treasure, how he conveyed it to the castle of his prospective father-in-law and received as his reward the hand of the beautiful Maratana are all vividly shown in scenes of rare beauty and thrilling situation. -- The Moving Picture World, November 21, 1908
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