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Tragical stories were related of some who had attempted the

dangerous enterprise, but these stories were already of times

long past, and none of the young vassals could remember to have

encountered a human being in this place, except under his lord's

authority.

Don Roderick arrived in the middle of the valley, at the foot of

the cliff, at the commencement of the rugged and winding path; at

this point was a tavern, which might have been called a

guard-house; an old sign, with a rising sun painted on both

sides, was suspended before the door; but the people gave the

place the more appropriate name of Malanotte.