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diff --git a/26671-h/26671-h.htm b/26671-h/26671-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d940f4 --- /dev/null +++ b/26671-h/26671-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9869 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Boy Crusaders, by J. G. Edgar. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + .copyright {text-align: center; font-size: 70%;} + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify;} + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold; font-size: 85%;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .unindent {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .right {text-align: right;} + .poem {margin-left: 30%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: left;} + .poem2 {margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: left;} + .sig {margin-right: 10%; text-align: right;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align:baseline; + position: relative; + bottom: 0.33em; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: none;} + .cap:first-letter {float: left; clear: left; + margin: -0.2em 0.1em 0; margin-top: 0%; + padding: 0; + line-height: .75em; font-size: 300%; text-align: justify;} + .cap {text-align: justify;} + +// --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Crusaders, by John G. Edgar + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Boy Crusaders + A Story of the Days of Louis IX. + +Author: John G. Edgar + +Release Date: September 19, 2008 [EBook #26671] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOY CRUSADERS *** + + + + +Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was made using scans of public domain works in the +International Children's Digital Library.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 322px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="322" height="500" alt="Cover: The Boy Crusaders" title="Cover: The Boy Crusaders" /> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/inscript.png" width="300" height="229" alt="Inscription" title="Inscription" /> +<span class="caption"><a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></span> +</div> + + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span><br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p><div class="figcenter" style="width: 313px;"> +<img src="images/illus_002.jpg" width="313" height="500" alt="In vain were all attempts to drag him from his steed; before his mighty battle-axe the Saracens seemed to fall as corn before the reaper.—p. 169." title="In vain were all attempts to drag him from his steed; before his mighty battle-axe the Saracens seemed to fall as corn before the reaper.—p. 169." /> +<span class="caption">In vain were all attempts to drag him from his steed; before his mighty battle-axe the Saracens seemed to fall as corn before the reaper.—<a href="#Page_169">p. 169</a>.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>THE</h3> + +<h1>BOY CRUSADERS:</h1> + +<h2><b>A Story of the Days of Louis IX.</b></h2> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>J. G. EDGAR,</h2> + +<div class='center'>AUTHOR OF 'THE BOY PRINCES,' ETC.<br /> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +—————<br /> + +<b>Eight Full Page Illustrations.</b><br /> +—————<br /> + + +<br /><br /><br /> +<b><big>Edinburgh:</big></b><br /> + +GALL & INGLIS, 6 GEORGE STREET.</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> +<h2>PREFACE.</h2> + + +<div class='cap'>AMONG the many adventurous enterprises which +rendered the age of feudalism and chain-armour +memorable in history, none were more remarkable or +important than the 'armed pilgrimages' popularly known +as the Crusades; and, among the expeditions which the +warriors of mediæval Europe undertook with the view of +rescuing the Holy Sepulchre from the Saracens, hardly +one is so interesting as that which had Louis IX. for its +chief and Joinville for its chronicler.</div> + +<p>In this volume I have related the adventures of two +striplings, who, after serving their apprenticeship to +chivalry in a feudal castle in the north of England, +assumed the cross, embarked for the East, took part in +the crusade headed by the saint-King of France, and +participated in the glory and disaster which attended the +Christian army, after landing at Damietta—including +the carnage of Mansourah, and the massacre of Minieh.</p> + +<p>In writing the 'Boy Crusaders' for juvenile readers, +my object has been—while endeavouring to give those, +for whose perusal the work is intended, as faithful a +picture as possible of the events which Joinville has +recorded—to convey, at the same time, as clear an idea +as my limits would permit, of the career and character +of the renowned French monarch who, in peril and perplexity, +in captivity and chains, so eminently signalised +his valour and his piety.</p> + +<div class='sig'> +J. G. E.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><small>CHAPTER</small></td><td align='right'><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Feudal Castle</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Brothers-in-Arms</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Heirs of the Especs</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">St. Louis</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_28">28</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Taking the Cross</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Embarking for the East</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Armed Pilgrims at Cyprus</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Eastward</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_49">49</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">An Adventure</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_55">55</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">On the Ladder of Life</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Voyage</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">At Damietta</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_74">74</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Incursions</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_82">82</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIV.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Renegade</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_88">88</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Capture of a Caravan</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Council of War</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_103">103</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Face to Face</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_109">109</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Delay and Danger</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_113">113</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Captive</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_119">119</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XX.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Passing the Achmoun</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_124">124</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXI.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Carnage of Mansourah</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_128">128</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Battle</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_136">136</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">How Joinville kept the Bridge</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_142">142</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIV.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The First Friday in Lent</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_150">150</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXV.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Mortifications and Miseries</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_158">158</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXVI.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Massacre of Minieh</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_165">165</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXVII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Joinville in Peril</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_173">173</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXVIII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">News of Disaster</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_181">181</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIX.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Wounded Pilgrim</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_185">185</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXX.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">St. Louis in Chains</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_191">191</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXXI.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Tragedy of Pharescour</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_199">199</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXXII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Perils and Suspense</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_204">204</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXXIII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Acre</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_210">210</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXXIV.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Rescue</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_214">214</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXXV.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Mission to Bagdad</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_222">222</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXXVI.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Last of the Caliphs</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_229">229</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXXVII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Recognition</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_234">234</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXXVIII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Woe to the Caliph</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_240">240</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXXIX.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">In the Lion's Mouth</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_246">246</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XL.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">End of the Armed Pilgrimage</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_253">253</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XLI.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Sudden Discovery</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_260">260</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XLII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">Homeward Bound</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_266">266</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XLIII.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">A Royal Visit</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_272">272</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XLIV.</td><td align='left'> <span class="smcap">The Feast of Kings</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_279">279</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE BOY CRUSADERS.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>A FEUDAL CASTLE.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>IT was the age of chain armour and tournaments—of +iron barons and barons' wars—of pilgrims +and armed pilgrimages—of forests and forest outlaws—when +Henry III. reigned as King of England, +and the feudal system, though no longer rampant, +was still full of life and energy; when Louis +King of France, afterwards canonised as St. Louis, +undertook one of the last and most celebrated of +those expeditions known as the Crusades, and described +as 'feudalism's great adventure, and popular +glory.'</div> + +<p>At the time when Henry was King of England +and when Louis of France was about to embark for +the East, with the object of rescuing the Holy +Sepulchre from the Saracens, there stood on the very +verge of Northumberland a strong baronial edifice, +known as the Castle of Wark, occupying a circular<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +eminence, visible from a great distance, and commanding +such an extensive view to the north as seemed to +ensure the garrison against any sudden inroad on the +part of the restless and refractory Scots. On the +north the foundations were washed by the waters of +the Tweed, here broad and deep; and on the south +were a little town, which had risen under the protection +of the castle, and,—stretching away towards the hills +of Cheviot,—an extensive park or chase, abounding +with wild cattle and deer and beasts of game. At +an earlier period this castle had been a possession +of the famous house of Espec; and, when in after +days it came into the hands of the Montacute Earls +of Salisbury, Edward III. was inspired within its +walls with that romantic admiration of the Countess +of Salisbury which resulted in the institution of the +Order of the Garter. During the fifth decade of the +thirteenth century, however, it was the chief seat of +Robert, Lord de Roos, a powerful Anglo-Norman +noble, whose father had been one of the barons of +Runnymede and one of the conservators of the Great +Charter.</p> + +<p>Like most of the fortresses built by the Norman +conquerors of England, Wark consisted of a base-court, +a keep, and a barbican in front of the base-court. The +sides of the walls were fortified with innumerable +angles, towers, and buttresses, and surmounted with +strong battlements and hornworks. For greater security +the castle was encompassed, save towards the +Tweed, with a moat or deep ditch, filled with water, +and fortified with strong palisades, and sharp stakes +set thick all around the walls. Over the moat, at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +principal gate, was the drawbridge, which was almost +always raised, and the gate-house, a square building, +having strong towers at each corner. Over the entrance +and within the square of the gate-house was +an arched vault, and over it was a chamber with +apertures, through which, on occasion of an assault, +the garrison, unseen the whilst, could watch the operations +of the foe, and pour boiling water or melted lead +on the foremost assailants. On the west side were +the outworks, consisting of a platform with a trench +half a mile in length, and breastworks, and covered +ways, and mounds. The roofs of the building were +bordered with parapets, guard walks, and sentry +boxes.</p> + +<p>But the whole space was not appropriated to works +intended to ensure the stronghold against the assault +of foes. Near the mound was the chapel dedicated +to St. Giles. Under the outer wall was a military +walk, five yards wide, and forty-eight yards in length. +Underneath the walls, on the brink of the river, was a +beautiful terrace, called the Maiden's Walk, where the +lady of the castle and her damsels, after their labours +at the loom, were wont to take air and exercise on a +summer evening, ere the vesper bell rang, and the +bat began to hunt the moth. Within the precincts +of the building was the tiltyard, a broad space enclosed +with rails, and covered with sawdust, where +young men of gentle blood, in the capacity of pages +and squires, acquired the chivalrous accomplishments +which the age prized so highly.</p> + +<p>In fact, the castle of Wark, like most feudal castles +of that century, was a school of chivalry, whither<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +the sons of nobles and knights were sent to serve +their apprenticeship as warriors, taught their duty to +God and the ladies, and trained to the skill in arms +which enabled them to compel the respect of one +sex and influence the hearts of the other.</p> + +<p>First, on foot, they were taught to attack the pel, +an imaginary adversary, which was simply the stump +of a tree six feet in height; then, on horseback, they +were made to charge the quintain, a wooden figure +in the form of a Saracen, armed in mail and holding +a sabre in one hand and a shield in the other, and +so constructed to move on a pivot that, unless the +youth was dexterous enough to strike the face or +breast, it revolved rapidly, and dealt him a heavy +blow on the back as he was retiring. As the lads +became more expert they tilted at each other with +blunt lances, practised riding at the ring, and learned +to excel as equestrians by riding in a circle, vaulting +from their steeds in the course of their career, and +mounting again while they galloped.</p> + +<p>At the same time they were trained to acquit +themselves with credit in those encounters celebrated +as combats at the barriers. At the sieges of cities, +during the middle ages, knights of the besieging +army were in the habit of going to the barriers, +or grated palisades of the fortress, and defying the +garrison to break a lance for the honour of their +ladies. Indeed, this was so fashionable, that an army +could hardly appear before a town without the siege +giving rise to a variety of such combats, which +were generally conducted with fairness on both +sides. This mode of attack was early taught to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +apprentice to chivalry, and assiduously practised by +all who were ambitious of knightly honour.</p> + +<p>Nor did the exercises of the tiltyard end at this +stage. At the time of which I write, the name of +Richard Cœur de Lion was famous in Europe and +Asia; and his feats in arms were on every tongue. +One of his great exploits at the battle of Joppa was +especially the admiration of the brave. It seems +that, when the Crusaders were surrounded and +almost overwhelmed by the swarming host of +Saladin, Richard, who, up to that moment, had +neither given nor received a wound, suddenly sprang +on his charger, drew his sword, laid his lance in rest, +and with his sword in one hand, and his lance in +the other, spurred against the Saracens, striking +sparks from their helmets and armour, and inspiring +such terror that his foes were completely routed. +Naturally such an exploit made a strong impression +on the imagination of aspirants to warlike fame, and +the youth who had the dexterity and the equestrian +skill to imitate it in mimic fray was regarded with +admiration and envy.</p> + +<p>Now our concern with Wark, and its tiltyard, is +simply this—that, within the castle, there were trained +in the exercises of chivalry, and qualified for its honours, +two striplings, who, when St. Louis took the +Cross, and undertook a holy war, embarked for the +East, and figured, during a memorable expedition, +as the Boy Crusaders.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>THE BROTHERS-IN-ARMS.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>ON the last Wednesday of the month of July, in +the year 1248, the castle of Wark reposed in +the sunshine and warmth of a bright merry +summer's day; and, the exercises in the tiltyard +being over for the morning, two of the apprentices +to chivalry, whose dress indicated that they had +attained the rank of squires, strolled slowly along +the green border of the Tweed. Neither of them +had passed the age of seventeen, but both were tall +and strong and handsome for their years; and both +had the fair hair, blue eyes, aquiline features, and +air of authority which distinguished the descendants +of the valiant Northmen who accompanied Rollo +when he left Norway, sailed up the Seine, and +seized on Neustria. But in one rather important +respect there was a remarkable difference. One had +a countenance which expressed gaiety of heart; the +other had a countenance which expressed sadness of +spirit. One bore the name of Guy Muschamp; the +other the still greater name of Walter Espec.</div> + +<p>'And so, good Walter, we are actually soldiers of +the Cross, and vowed to combat the Saracens,' said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +Guy, as they walked along the grassy margin of the +river, which flowed tranquilly on, while the salmon +leaped in its silver tide, and the trouts glided like +silver darts through the clear stream, and the white +and brindled cows cooled their hoofs in the water; +'and yet I know not how it comes to pass, good +Walter; but beshrew me if, at times, I do not fancy +that it is a dream of the night.'</p> + +<p>'In truth, brave Guy,' replied the other, 'I comprehend +not how you can have any doubts on the +subject, when you see the sacred badge on our +shoulders, and when we have, even within the hour, +learned that the ships of the great Saxon earl, in +which we are to embark for the Holy Land, are now +riding at anchor before the town of Berwick.'</p> + +<p>'You are right, good Walter,' said Guy, quickly; +'and marry! worse than an infidel am I to have a +doubt; and yet when I think of all the marvels we +are likely to behold, I can scarce credit my good +fortune. Just imagine, Walter Espec, the picturesque +scenery—the palm-trees, the fig-trees, the +gardens with flowers, and vines, and citrons, and +pomegranates; the Saracenic castles, the long caravans +of camels, and the Eastern women veiled in +white, standing at fountains, and all the wonders +that palmers and pilgrims tell of! Oh! the adventure +appears so grand, that I now begin to dread +lest some mischance should come to prevent us +going.'</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 284px;"> +<img src="images/illus_015.png" width="284" height="400" alt=""I will go straightway with you, Walter," said Guy, "to the palace of the Caliph; and if he refuses to render you justice, I will challenge him to mortal combat on the spot."—p. 16." title=""I will go straightway with you, Walter," said Guy, "to the palace of the Caliph; and if he refuses to render you justice, I will challenge him to mortal combat on the spot."—p. 16." /> +<span class="caption">"I will go straightway with you, Walter," said Guy, "to the palace of the Caliph; and if he refuses to render you justice, I will challenge him to mortal combat on the spot."—p. 16.</span> +</div> + +<p>'And I,' observed Walter, calmly, 'have no dread of +the kind; and I am, heart and soul, bent on the holy +enterprise; albeit, I reck little of caravans of camels,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +or veiled women. But my heart yearns for that far +land; for there it is that I am like to hear tidings of +him I have lost. Ah! credit me, brave Guy, that +you, and such as you, little know what it is to be +alone in this world, without kith or kindred, or +home, and how saddening is the thought, ever crossing +my mind, that one, near and dear, does live; and—and—'</p> + +<p>He paused, bent his brow, clenched his hand, and +cast his eyes on the ground, as tears streamed down +his cheek.</p> + +<p>'Good Walter, dear Walter,' said Guy, yielding to +sympathy till he was almost equally affected; 'droop +not, but be of good cheer. Forget not that we are +brothers-in-arms, that I am your friend, your true +and sworn friend; and I will aid your search. Nay, +I know what you are going to say; but you do me +wrong. I will not waste time in looking at the +camels and the veiled women, of whom palmer and +pilgrim tell; but I will go straightway with you to +the palace of the caliph; and, if he refuse to render +you justice, I will challenge him to mortal combat +on the spot. So again I say, be of good cheer.'</p> + +<p>Walter Espec smiled mournfully. His enthusiasm +was not, in reality, less than that of his companion. +But he had none of the gaiety, and little +of the buoyant spirit, which enabled Guy Muschamp +to make himself, at all times and seasons, a favourite +in castle hall and lady's bower. +'I fear me, brave Guy,' said Walter, after a brief +silence, 'that the caliph is too great a potentate to be +dealt with as you would wish. But, come what may,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +I am sworn to laugh at danger in the performance +of a duty. My dreams, awake and asleep, are of +him who is lost; and I fantasied last night,' added +he, lowering his voice, 'that my mother stood before +me, as I last saw her when living, and implored me, +in the name of St. Katherine, the patron saint of the +Especs, to fulfil my vow of rescuing her lost son +from captivity and from the enemies of Christ.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, fear not, doubt not, good Walter,' cried Guy, +with enthusiasm; 'it must, it shall, be done; and +then we can go and conquer a principality, like +Tancred, or Bohemund of Tarentum, or Count Raymond +of St. Giles, and other old heroes.'</p> + +<p>'Even the crown of Jerusalem may not be beyond +our grasp, if fortune favour us,' said Walter, with a +calm smile.</p> + +<p>'Oh, fortune ever favours the brave,' exclaimed +Guy; 'and I hold that nothing is impossible to men +who are brave and ambitious; and no squire of your +years is braver or more ambitious than you, Walter, +or more expert in arms; albeit you never utter a +boast as to your own feats, while no one is more +ready to praise the actions of others.'</p> + +<p>'Even if I had anything to boast of,' replied +Walter, 'I should refrain from so doing; and therein +I should only be acting according to the maxims of +chivalry; for you know we are admonished to be +dumb as to our own deeds, and eloquent in praise of +others; and, moreover, that if the squire is vainglorious, +he is not worthy to become a knight, and +that he who is silent as to the valour of others is a +thief and a robber.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + +<p>And thus conversing, the brothers-in-arms returned +to the castle, and entered the great hall, +which was so spacious and so high in the roof that +a man on horseback might have turned a spear in it +with all the ease imaginable. It was, indeed, a +stately apartment; the ceiling consisting of a smooth +vault of ashlar-work, the stones being curiously +joined and fitted together; and the walls and roof +decorated by some of those great painters who flourished +in England under the patronage of King +Henry and his fair and accomplished queen, Eleanor +of Provence. Here was represented the battle of +Hastings; there the siege of Jerusalem by the +Crusaders under Godfrey of Bouillon and Robert +Curthose; here the battle of the Standard; there the +signing of the Great Charter by King John, under +the oak of Runnymede. Around the hall might be +traced the armorial bearings of the lord of the castle +and the chief families with whom the lord of the +castle was allied by blood—the three water-budgets +of De Roos; the three Katherine-wheels of Espec; +the engrailed cross of De Vesci; the seven blackbirds +of Merley; the lion argent of Dunbar in its field of +gules; and the ruddy lion of Scotland, ramping in +gold; while on the roof was depicted the castle itself, +with gates, and battlements, and pinnacles, and +towers; and there also, very conspicuous, was the +form of a rose, and around it was inscribed in +Gothic letters the legend—</p> + +<div class='poem'> +He who doth secrets reveal,<br /> +Beneath my roof shall never live.<br /> +</div> + +<p>It was ten o'clock—in that age the hour of dinner—when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +Walter Espec and Guy Muschamp entered +the great hall of the castle, and, the household +having assembled for that important meal, a huge +oaken table, which in shape resembled the letter +T, groaned under massive sirloins. Attended by +his jesters, the lord of the castle took his seat on +the dais, which was reserved for his family and his +guests of high rank; while the knights, squires, +pages, and retainers ranged themselves above and +below the salt, according to their claims to precedence; +and hawks stood around on perches, and +hounds lay stretched on the rushy floor, waiting their +turn to be fed.</p> + +<p>Much ceremony was of course observed. The sirloins +were succeeded by fish and fowl, and dishes +curiously compounded; and, as was the fashion of +that feudal age, the dinner lasted three hours. But, +notwithstanding the pride and pomp exhibited, the +meal was by no means dull. The jesters and minstrels +did their work. During the intervals the +jesters exercised all their wit to divert the lord and +his friends; and the minstrels, in the gallery set +apart for their accommodation, discoursed flourishes +of music, borrowed from the Saracens and brought +from the East, for the gratification of the company, +or roused the aspirations of the youthful warriors +by some such spirit-stirring strain as the battle-hymn +of Rollo.</p> + +<p>'I marvel much, good Walter,' said Guy Muschamp +to his brother-in-arms, 'I marvel much where +we are destined to dine this day next year.'</p> + +<p>'Beshrew me if I can even form a guess,' replied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +Walter Espec, thoughtfully; 'methinks no seer less +potent than the Knight of Ercildoune, whom the +vulgar call "True Thomas," could on such a point +do aught to satisfy your curiosity.'</p> + +<p>'Mayhap at Acre or Jerusalem,' suggested Guy, +after a pause.</p> + +<p>'By Holy Katherine,' exclaimed Walter, 'ere you +named Acre and Jerusalem, my imagination had +carried me to the palace of the caliph at Bagdad.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>THE HEIRS OF THE ESPECS.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>IN the days when the Norman kings reigned in +England, the Especs were of high account +among the Anglo-Norman barons. Many were the +brave and pious men who bore the name; but the +bravest and most pious of them all was that Walter +Espec, a great noble of the north, who maintained +high feudal state at the castles of Wark, Helmsley, +and Kirkham, and who figured so conspicuously as +chief of the English at the battle of the Standard, +and harangued the soldiers before the battle from the +chariot from which the standard was displayed.</div> + +<p>But not only as a warrior was Walter Espec known +to fame. As a benefactor to religion, his name was +held in honour and his memory regarded with veneration.</p> + +<p>It seems that Walter Espec had, by his wife +Adeline, an only son, who was a youth of great promise, +and much beloved by his parents. Nothing, +however, pleased him more than a swift horse; and +he was so bold a rider that he would not have feared +to mount Bucephalus, in spite of heels and horns. +Leaping into the saddle one day, at the castle of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +Kirkham, and scorning the thought of danger, he +spurred his charger beyond its strength, and, while +galloping towards Frithby, had a fall at the stone +cross, and was killed on the spot. Much afflicted at +his son's death, Walter Espec sent for his brother, +who was a priest and a rector.</p> + +<p>'My son being, alas! dead,' said he, 'I know not +who should be my heir.'</p> + +<p>'Brother mine,' replied the priest, 'your duty is +clear. Make Christ your heir.'</p> + +<p>Now Walter Espec relished the advice, and proceeded +to act on it forthwith. He founded three +religious houses, one at Warden, a second at Kirkham, +a third at Rievallé; and, having been a disciple +of Harding, and much attached to the Cistercian +order, he planted at each place a colony of monks, sent +him from beyond the sea by the great St. Bernard; +and, having further signalised his piety by becoming +a monk in the abbey of Rievallé, he died, full of +years and honours, and was buried in that religious +house; while his territorial possessions passed to the +Lord de Roos, as husband of his sister.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, the family of Espec was not yet +extinct. A branch still survived and flourished in +the north; and, as time passed over, a kinsman of +the great Walter won distinction in war, and, though +a knight of small estate, wedded a daughter of that +Anglo-Saxon race the Icinglas, once so great in England, +but of whom now almost everything is forgotten +but the name. And this Espec, who had +lived as a soldier, died a soldier's death; falling +bravely with his feet to the foe, on that day in 1242<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +when the English under King Henry fought against +such fearful odds, at the-village of Saintonge. But +even now the Especs were not without representatives; +for, by his Anglo-Saxon spouse Algitha, the +Anglo-Norman warrior who fell in Gascony left +two sons, and of the two one was named Walter, the +other Osbert.</p> + +<p>While Dame Algitha Espec lived, the young +Especs scarcely felt the loss they had sustained in +the death of their father. Nothing, indeed, could +have been more exemplary than the care which the +Anglo-Saxon dame bestowed on her sons. In a conversation +which Walter Espec held on the battlements +of the castle of Wark, with his brother-in-arms +Guy Muschamp, the heir of an Anglo-Norman +baron of Northumberland, he lauded her excellence +as a woman, and her tenderness as a mother.</p> + +<p>'I was in my tenth year,' said Walter, 'when my +father, after having served King Henry as a knight +in Gascony, fell in battle; and, albeit my mother, +when she became a widow, was still fair and of fresh +age, a widow she resolved to remain; and she adhered +firmly to her purpose. In truth, her mouth was so +accustomed to repeat the name of her dead husband +that it seemed as if his memory had possession +of her whole heart and soul; for whether +in praying or giving alms, and even in the most +ordinary acts of life, she continually pronounced his +name.</p> + +<p>'My mother brought up my brother and myself +with the most tender care. Living at our castellated +house of Heckspeth, in the Wansbeck, and hard by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +the abbey of Newminster, she lived in great fear of +the Lord, and with an equal love for her neighbours, +especially such as were poor; and she prudently +managed us and our property. Scarcely had we +learned the first elements of letters, which she herself, +being convent-bred, taught us, when, eager to +have us instructed, she confided us to a master +of grammar, who incited us to work, and taught +us to recite verses and compose them according to +rule.'</p> + +<p>It was while the brothers Espec were studying +under this master of grammar, and indulging with +spirit and energy in the sports and recreations +fashionable among the boys of the thirteenth +century—such as playing with whirligigs and paper +windmills, and mimic engines of war, and trundling +hoops, and shooting with bows and arrows, and learning +to swim on bladders, that Dame Algitha followed +her husband to a better world, and they found themselves +orphans and unprotected. For both, however, +Providence raised up friends in the day of need. +Remembering what he owed to his connection with +the Especs, the Lord de Roos received Walter into his +castle of Wark, to be trained to arms; and another +kinsman, who was a prior in France, received Osbert +into his convent, to be reared as a monk. The orphans, +who had never before been separated, and who were +fondly attached, parted after many embraces, and +many tears; and, with as little knowledge of the world +into which they were entering as fishes have of the +sea in which they swim, each went where destiny +seemed to point the way.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> + +<p>On reaching the castle of Wark, Walter Espec felt +delighted with the novelty of the scene, and entered +with enthusiasm upon his duties as an aspirant to +the honours of chivalry. Besides learning to carve, +to sing, and to take part in that exciting sport which +has been described as 'the image of war'—such as +hawking, and hunting the hare, the deer, the boar, +and the wolf—he ere long signalised himself in the +tiltyard by the facility which he displayed in acquiring +skill in arms, and in chivalrous exercises. +Indeed, whether in assailing the pel, or charging the +quintain on horseback, or riding at the ring, or in +the combat at the barriers, Walter had hardly a rival +among the youths of his own age; and, after being +advanced to the rank of squire, he crowned his +triumphs in the tiltyard by successfully charging on +horseback, <i>à la</i> Cœur de Lion, with a sword in one +hand and a lance in the other.</p> + +<p>But still Walter Espec was unhappy; and, even +when his dexterity and prowess in arms moved the +envy or admiration of his youthful compeers, his +heart was sad and his smile mournful.</p> + +<p>And why was the brave boy so sad?</p> + +<p>At the time when Walter was winning such reputation +at the castle of Wark, Jerusalem was sacked +by the Karismians. A cry of distress came from the +Christians in the East; and the warriors of the West +were implored to undertake a new crusade, to rescue +the Holy Sepulchre and save the kingdom founded +by Godfrey and the Baldwins. The warriors of the +West, however, showed no inclination to leave their +homes; and the pope was lamenting the absence of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +Christian zeal, when a boy went about France, +singing in his native tongue—</p> + +<div class='poem'> +Jesus, Lord, repair our loss,<br /> +Restore to us thy blessed cross;<br /> +</div> + +<div class='unindent'>and met with much sympathy from those of his +own age. Multitudes of children crowded round him +as their leader, and followed his footsteps wherever +he went. Nothing could restrain their enthusiasm; +and, assembling in crowds in the environs of Paris, +they prepared to cross Burgundy and make for +Marseilles.</div> + +<p>'And whither are you going, children?' people +asked.</p> + +<p>'We are going to Jerusalem, to deliver the Holy +Sepulchre,' answered they.</p> + +<p>'But how are you to get there?' was the next +question.</p> + +<p>'Oh,' replied they, 'you seem not to know how it +has been prophesied that this year the drought will +be very great, that the sun will dissipate all the +waters, and that the abysses of the sea will be dry; +and that an easy road will lie open to us across the +bed of the Mediterranean.'</p> + +<p>On reaching Marseilles, however, the young pilgrims +discovered that they had been deluded. Some +of them returned to their homes; but the majority +were not so fortunate. Many lost themselves in the +forests which then covered the country, and died +of hunger and fatigue; and the others became +objects of speculation to two merchants of Marseilles, +who carried on trade with the Saracens. Affecting +to act from motives of piety, the two merchants<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +tempted the boy-pilgrims by offering to convey them, +without charge, to the Holy Land; and, the offer +having been joyfully accepted, seven vessels, with +children on board, sailed from Marseilles. But the +voyage was not prosperous. At the end of two days, +when the ships were off the isle of St. Peter, near +the rock of the Recluse, a tempest arose, and the +wind blew so violently that two of them went down +with all on board. The five others, however, weathered +the storm, and reached Bugia and Alexandria. +And now the young Crusaders discovered to their consternation +how they had been deceived and betrayed. +Without delay they were sold by the merchants to the +slave-dealers, and by the slave-dealers to the Saracens. +Forty of them were purchased for the caliph and +carried to Bagdad, where they were forced to abjure +Christianity, and brought up as slaves.</p> + +<p>Now, among the boys who had yielded to the +prevailing excitement, and repaired to Marseilles to +embark for Syria, was Osbert Espec; and ever since +Walter received from his kinsman, the prior, intelligence +of his brother's disappearance, and heard the +rumours of what had befallen the young pilgrims on +their arrival in the East, his memory had brooded +over the misfortune, and his imagination, which was +constantly at work, pictured Osbert in the caliph's +prison, laden with chains, and forced to forswear the +God of his fathers; and the thought of his lost +brother was ever present to his mind. And therefore +was Walter Espec's heart sad, and therefore was +his smile mournful.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>ST. LOUIS.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>AMONG the names of the European princes +associated with the history of the Holy War, +that of St. Louis is one of the most renowned. +Although flourishing in a century which produced +personages like Frederick, Emperor of Germany, and +our first great Edward, who far excelled him in genius +and prowess—as wise rulers in peace and mighty +chiefs in war—his saintliness, his patience in affliction, +his respect for justice and the rights of his +neighbours, entitle him to a high place among the +men of the age which could boast of so many royal +heroes. In order to comprehend the crusade, of +which he was leader, it is necessary to refer briefly +to the character and career of the good and pious +king, who, in the midst of disaster and danger, +exhibited the courage of a hero and the resignation +of a martyr.</div> + +<p>It was on the day of the Festival of St. Mark, in +the year 1215, that Blanche of Castille, wife of the +eighth Louis of France, gave birth, at Poissy, to an +heir to the crown, which Hugh Capet had, three +centuries earlier, taken from the feeble heir of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +Charlemagne. On the death of his father, Louis, +then in his twelfth year, became King of France, at +a time when it required a man with a strong hand +to maintain the privileges of the crown against the +great nobles of the kingdom. Fortunately for the +young monarch Providence had blessed him with a +mother, who, whatever her faults and failings—and +chroniclers have not spared her reputation—brought +to the terrible task of governing in a feudal age a +high spirit and a strong will, and applied herself +earnestly to the duty of bringing up her son in the +way in which he should walk, and educating him in +such a manner as to prepare him for executing the +high functions which he was destined to fulfil. +While, with the aid of her chivalrous admirer, the +Count of Champagne, and the counsel of a cardinal-legate—with +whom, by-the-bye, she was accused of +being somewhat too familiar—Blanche of Castille +maintained the rights of the French monarchy against +the great vassals of France, she reared her son with +the utmost care. She entrusted his education to +excellent masters, appointed persons eminent for +piety to attend to his religious instruction, and +evinced profound anxiety that he should lead a +virtuous and holy life.</p> + +<p>'Rather,' she once said, 'would I see my son in +his grave, than learn that he had committed a mortal +sin.'</p> + +<p>As time passed on, Blanche of Castille had the +gratification of finding that her toil and her anxiety +were not in vain. Lotus, indeed, was a model whom +other princes, in their teens, would have done well<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +to copy. His piety, and his eagerness to do what +was right and to avoid what was wrong, raised the +wonder of his contemporaries. He passed much of +his time in devotional exercises, and, when not +occupied with religious duties, ever conducted himself +as if with a consciousness that the eye of his +Maker was upon him, and that he would one day +have to give a strict account of all his actions. +Every morning he went to hear prayers chanted, and +mass and the service of the day sung; every afternoon +he reclined on his couch, and listened while +one of his chaplains repeated prayers for the dead; +and every evening he heard complines.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, Louis did not, like such royal personages +as our Henry VI., allow his religious exercises +so wholly to monopolise his time or attention +as to neglect the duties which devolved upon him as +king. The reverse was the case. After arriving at +manhood he convinced the world that he was well +qualified to lead men in war, and to govern them in +peace.</p> + +<p>It happened that, in the year 1242, Henry King +of England, who was several years older than Louis, +became ambitious of regaining the continental territory +wrested from his father, John, by Philip +Augustus; and the Count de la Marche, growing +malecontent with the government of France, formed +a confederacy against the throne, and invited Henry +to conduct an army to the Continent. Everything +seemed so promising, and the confederacy so formidable, +that Henry, unable to resist the temptation of +recovering Normandy and Anjou, crossed the sea,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +landed at Bordeaux, and prepared for hostilities. +At first, the confederates were confident of succeeding +in their objects; but, ere long, they discovered +that they had mistaken their position, and the +character of the prince whom they were defying.</p> + +<p>In fact, Louis soon proved that he was no 'carpet +knight.' Assembling an army, he buckled on his +mail, mounted his charger; and placing himself at +the head of his forces, marched to encounter his +enemies. Reaching the banks of the Charente, he +offered the confederates battle, near the bridge of +Taillebourg; but his challenge was not accepted. +By this time the confederates had lost faith in their +enterprise; and while De la Marche was meditating a +reconciliation with Louis, Henry, accusing the count +of having deceived, and being about to betray, him, +retreated precipitately, and never drew rein till he +reached the village of Saintonge.</p> + +<p>But Louis was unwilling to allow his royal foe to +escape so easily. Nor, indeed, could Henry without +reluctance fly from the peril he had provoked. At +all events, on reaching Saintonge, the English turned +to bay, and a battle began. But the odds were +overwhelming; and, though the Anglo-Norman barons +fought with characteristic courage, they were speedily +worsted, and under the necessity of making for +Bordeaux.</p> + +<p>From the day on which this battle was fought, it +was no longer doubtful that Louis was quite able to +hold his own; and neither foreign kings nor continental +counts cared to disturb his government or +defy his power. In fact, the fame of the King of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +France became great throughout Christendom, and +inspired the hopes of the Christians of the East.</p> + +<p>Nor was it merely as a warrior that Louis signalised +himself among his contemporaries. At the +time when he was attending, with exemplary regularity, +to his religious devotions, and keeping watch +over the security of his dominions, he was devoting +himself assiduously to his duties as sovereign and to +the administration of justice.</p> + +<p>One day, when Louis was at the castle of Hieros, +in Provence, a Cordelier friar approached.</p> + +<p>'Sire,' said the friar, 'I have read of unbelieving +princes in the Bible and other good books; yet I +have never read of a kingdom of believers or unbelievers +being ruined, but from want of justice +being duly administered. Now,' continued the friar, +'I perceive the king is going to France; let him +administer justice with care, that our Lord may +suffer him to enjoy his kingdom, and that it may +remain in peace and tranquillity all the days of his +life, and that God may not deprive him of it with +shame and dishonour.'</p> + +<p>Louis listened attentively to the Cordelier, and the +friar's words sank deep into his mind. From that +date he gave much attention to the administration of +justice, and took especial care to prevent the poor +being wronged by their more powerful neighbours. +On summer days, after hearing mass, he was in the +habit of repairing to the gardens of his palace, seating +himself on a carpet, and listening to such as +wished to appeal to him; at other times he went to +the wood of Vincennes, and there, sitting under an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +oak, listened to their statements with attention and +patience. No ceremony was allowed to keep the +poor man from the king's justice-seat.</p> + +<p>'Whoever has a complaint to make,' Louis was +wont to say, 'let him now make it;' and when there +were several who wished to be heard, he would add, +'My friends, be silent for awhile, and your causes +shall be despatched one after another.'</p> + +<p>When Louis was in his nineteenth year, Blanche +of Castille recognised the expediency of uniting him +to a princess worthy of sharing the French throne, +and bethought her of the family of Raymond +Berenger, Count of Provence, one of the most accomplished +men in Europe, and whose countess, +Beatrice of Savoy, was even more accomplished +than her husband; Raymond and Beatrice had four +daughters, all remarkable for their wit and beauty, +and all destined to be queens. Of these four daughters, +the eldest, Margaret of Provence, who was then +thirteen, was selected as the bride of Louis; and, +about two years before her younger sister, Eleanor, +was conducted to England to be espoused by King +Henry, Margaret arrived in Paris, and began to +figure as Queen of France.</p> + +<p>The two princesses of Provence who had the fortune +to form such high alliances found themselves in +very different positions. Eleanor did just as she +pleased, ruled her husband, and acted as if everything +in England had been created for her gratification. +Margaret's situation, though more safe, was +much less pleasant. In her husband's palace she could +not boast of being in the enjoyment even of personal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +liberty. In fact, Queen Blanche was too fond of +power to allow that which she had acquired to be +needlessly imperilled; and, apprehensive that the +young queen should gain too much influence with +the king, she deliberately kept the royal pair separate. +Nothing, indeed, could exceed the domestic +tyranny under which they suffered. When Louis +and Margaret made royal progresses, Blanche of +Castille took care that her son and daughter-in-law +were lodged in separate houses. Even in cases of +sickness the queen-mother did not relent. On one +occasion, when Margaret was ill and in the utmost +danger, Louis stole to her chamber. While he was +there, Blanche entered, and he endeavoured to conceal +himself. Blanche, however, detected him, shook +her head, and forcibly pushed him out of the door.</p> + +<p>'Be off, sir,' said she, sternly; 'you have no right +here.'</p> + +<p>'Madam, madam,' exclaimed Margaret, in despair, +'will you not allow me to see my husband, either +when I am living, or when I am dying?' and the +poor queen fainted away.</p> + +<p>It was while the young saint-king and his fair +Provencal spouse were enduring this treatment at the +hands of the old queen-mother that events occurred +which fired Louis with the idea of undertaking a +crusade, and gave Margaret an excellent excuse for +escaping from the society of the despotic dowager +who had embittered her life, and almost broken her +heart.</p> + +<p>One day, when Louis was recovering from the +effects of a fever, which had so thoroughly prostrated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +him, that at times his attendants believed he was +dead, he ordered a Cross to be stitched to his +garments.</p> + +<p>'How is this,' asked Blanche of Castille, when she +came to visit her son on his sick bed.</p> + +<p>'Madam,' whispered the attendants, 'the king +has, out of gratitude for his recovery, taken the Cross, +and vowed to combat the infidel.'</p> + +<p>'Alas! alas!' exclaimed Blanche, terrified, 'I am +struck as fearfully as if I had seen him dead.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>TAKING THE CROSS.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>A CENTURY and a half had elapsed since Peter the +Hermit roused Christendom to rescue the Holy +Sepulchre, and since Godfrey and the Baldwins +established the Christian kingdom of Jerusalem; and +in the interval, many valiant warriors—including +Richard Cœur de Lion, and Philip Augustus, and +Frederick Barbarossa—had gone forth to light in its +defence; and the orders of military monks—the +Knights of the Temple, the Knights of St. John, the +Knights of St. Katherine of Sinai, and the Teutonic +Knights, had risen to keep watch over the safety of +the Holy Sepulchre. But the kingdom of Jerusalem, +constantly exposed to rude shocks, far from prospering, +was always in danger of ruin; and in 1244 the +Holy City, its capital, was taken and sacked by a wild +race, without a country, known as the Karismians, +who, at the sultan's instance, slaughtered the inhabitants, +opened the tombs, burnt the bodies of heroes, +scattered the relics of saints and martyrs to the +wind, and perpetrated such enormities as Jerusalem, +in her varying fortunes, had never before witnessed.</div> + +<p>When this event occurred, the Christians of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +East, more loudly than ever, implored the warriors +of Europe to come to their rescue. But, as it happened, +most of the princes of Christendom were in +too much trouble at home to attend to the affairs of +Jerusalem. Baldwin Courtenay, Emperor of Constantinople, +was constantly threatened with expulsion +by the Greeks; Frederick, Emperor of Germany, +was at war with the Pope; the King of Castille +was fighting with the Moors; the King of Poland +was fully occupied with the Tartars; the King of +Denmark had to defend his throne against his own +brother; the King of Sweden had to defend his +throne against the Tolekungers. As for Henry +King of England, he was already involved in those +disputes with the Anglo-Norman barons which ultimately +led to the Barons' War. One kingdom alone +was at peace; and it was France, then ruled by +Louis IX., since celebrated as St. Louis, that listened +to the cry of distress.</p> + +<p>At that time Louis King of France, then not +more than thirty, but already, as we have seen, noted +for piety and valour, was stretched on a bed of sickness, +and so utterly prostrate that, at times, as has +been related, he was thought to be dead. Nevertheless, +he did recover; and, snatched as if by +miracle from the gates of death, he evinced his +gratitude to Heaven by ordering the Cross to be fixed +to his vestments, and vowing to undertake an expedition +for the rescue of the Holy Sepulchre.</p> + +<p>The resolution of the saintly monarch was not +quite agreeable to his family or his subjects, any +more than to his mother, Blanche of Castille; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +many of his lords made earnest efforts to divert +him from his purpose. But remonstrance proved +unavailing. Clinging steadfastly to his resolution, +Louis summoned a Parliament at Paris, induced the +assembled magnates to take the Cross, occupied three +years with preparations on a great scale, and ultimately, +having repaired to St. Denis, and received +from the hands of the papal legate the famous +standard known as the oriflamme of France, embarked +at Aigues Mortes, and sailed for Cyprus, with +his queen, Margaret of Provence, his brothers, the +Counts of Artois, Poictiers, and Anjou, and many +of the greatest lords of his kingdom.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the barons of England were not indifferent +to what was passing on the Continent. +Many of them, indeed, were desirous to take part in +the expedition. But King Henry not only forbade +them to assume the Cross, but would not allow a +crusade to be preached in his dominions. No general +movement was therefore made in England. +Nevertheless, William Longsword, Earl of Salisbury, +grandson of the second Henry and Rosamond Clifford, +determined on an 'armed pilgrimage,' and, in company +with Lord Robert de Vere and others, vowed +to join the French Crusaders and combat the Saracens. +Henry, enraged at his mandate being disregarded, +seized Salisbury's manors and castles; but the earl, +faithful to his vow, embarked, with De Vere as +his standard-bearer, and with two hundred English +knights of noble name and dauntless courage, sworn +to bring the standard back with glory, or dye it +with their hearts' blood.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> + +<p>At the same time Patrick, Earl of March, the +most illustrious noble who sprang from the Anglo-Saxon +race, announced his intention of accompanying +King Louis to the East. Earl Patrick had seen +more than threescore years, and his hair was white, +and his limbs stiff; but his head was still as clear, +and his heart was still as courageous, as in the days +when he had dyed his lance in Celtic blood, vanquished +the great Somerled, and carried the Bastard +of Galloway in chains to Edinburgh; and, with +an earnest desire to couch against the enemies of +Christianity the lance which he had often couched +against the enemies of civilisation, he took the Cross, +sold his stud on the Leader Haughs to pay his +expenses, bade a last farewell to Euphemia Stewart, +his aged countess, received the pilgrim's staff and +scrip from the Abbot of Melrose, and left his castle +to embark with his knights and kinsmen.</p> + +<p>'I was young, and now I am old,' said Earl +Patrick, with enthusiasm. 'In my youth I fought +with the foes of my race. In my old age I will +fare forth and combat the foes of my religion.'</p> + +<p>It was under the banner of this aged hero that +Guy Muschamp and Walter Espec were about to +embark for the East; and, on the evening of the day +preceding that on which they were to set out, they +were conducted to the presence of the mother of the +lord of the castle, who was the daughter of a Scottish +king, that they might receive her blessing.</p> + +<p>'My children,' said she, as they knelt before her, +and she laid her hands on their heads, 'do not forget, +when among strangers and exposed to temptation,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +the lessons of piety and chivalry which you have +learned within these walls. Fear God, and He will +support you in all dangers. Be frank and courteous, +but not servile, to the rich and powerful; kind and +helpful to the poor and afflicted. Beware of meriting +the reproaches of the brave; and ever bear in +mind that evil befalls him who proves false to his +promises to his God, his country, and his lady. Be +brave in war; in peace, loyal and true in thought and +word; and Heaven will bless you, and men will hold +your names in honour, and you will be dreaded in +battle and loved in hall.'</p> + +<p>Next morning the brothers-in-arms rose betimes; +and, all preparations for their departure having been +previously made, they mounted at daybreak, and +leaving the castle of Wark, and riding through the +great park that lay around it, startling the deer and +the wild cattle as they went, took their way towards +Berwick, before which rode the ships destined to +convey them from their native shores.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>EMBARKING FOR THE EAST.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>IT was Saturday; and the sun shone brightly on +pool and stream, and even lighted up the dingy +corners of walled cities, as the Earl of March proceeded +on foot from the castle to the port of Berwick, +and embarked with his knights and kinsmen.</div> + +<p>The event created much excitement in the town. +In fact, though the princes and nobles of Europe +were weary of enterprises that had ruined so many +great houses, the people still thought of the crusades +with interest, and talked of them with enthusiasm. +The very name of Palestine exercised a magical +influence on the European Christians of that generation. +At the mention of the Holy Land, their +imagination conjured up the most picturesque +scenery; Saracenic castles stored with gold and +jewels; cities the names of which were recorded in +the sacred book which the poorest knew by picture; +and they listened earnestly as palmer or pilgrim told +of Sharon with its roses without thorns; Lebanon +with its cedars and vines; and Carmel with its +solitary convent, and its summit covered with thyme, +and haunted by the eagle and the boar, till their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +fancy pictured 'a land flowing with milk and honey,' +by repairing to which sinners could secure pardon +without penance in this world, and happiness without +purgatory in the next.</p> + +<p>It is not wonderful that, when such sentiments +prevailed, the embarkation of a great noble for the +Holy Land should have excited much interest; and, +as Guy Muschamp and Walter Espec took their way +from the castle to the port, crowded with ships, and +passed warehouses stored with merchandise, the Red +Hall of the Flemings resounding with the noise of +artificers, the wealthy religious houses which kept +alive the flame of ancient learning, and dispensed befitting +charities, the streets presented a motley assemblage +of seafaring men, monks, warriors, and soldiers; +the wives and daughters of the burghers, all in +holiday attire, crowded the housetops or gazed +from the windows and balconies; and the burghers +themselves, leaving their booths and warehouses, +flocked to the port to gossip with each other, and to +witness the departure of the armed pilgrims.</p> + +<p>'Oh, good Walter,' exclaimed Guy Muschamp, +whose spirit rose with the excitement, 'is not this a +stirring scene? By St. John of Beverley, what rich +armour! what gallant ships! what stately churches! +And yet I would wager my basinet to a prentice's +flat cap that it is not, for a moment, to be compared +to Acre.'</p> + +<p>'I deem that it can hardly be,' replied Walter, +calmly; 'and, in truth, I am in no mood to look +upon life with joyous emotions. But, brave Guy, I +am pleased to see you pleased; albeit, I own frankly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +that I should be more than human did I not somewhat +envy you your gaiety.'</p> + +<p>'Be gay, good Walter.'</p> + +<p>Walter shook his head.</p> + +<p>'Vain would be the effort,' he replied, sadly; 'I +can only pray to God and Holy Katherine to grant +that I may return with a lighter heart.'</p> + +<p>'As for me,' continued Guy, 'I am ever gay—gay +as the lark; gay in the morning, gay at eve. It is my +nature so to be. My mother is a Frenchwoman—a +kinswoman of the Lord of Joinville—and scarce +knows what sadness is. I inherit her spirit; and I +doubt not that, if I am slain by the Saracens, I shall +die laughing.'</p> + +<p>With this conversation they reached the quay, just +as Earl Patrick was stepping on board his ship, the +'Hilda,' which, if less graceful and elegant than the +vessels of modern times, was imposing to look upon. +Adorned with painting and gilding, it had armorial +bearings and badges embroidered on various parts; +banners of gay and brilliant colours floated from the +masts; and the sails of azure and purple shone with +work of gold. Armour glittered on deck; and martial +music was not wanting to give variety to the display.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, amidst the bustle and shouts of the +crew, the ports of the vessel were opened to allow +the horses of the armed pilgrims to enter; and, as +the ports were under water when the vessel was at +sea, they were caulked and stopped up as close as a +tun of wine. This operation over, and all the adventurers +embarked, the skipper raised his hand for +silence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> + +<p>'My men, is your work done?' cried he to his +people in the prow; 'are you ready?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, in truth, we are ready,' answered the seamen.</p> + +<p>And now, the priests who accompanied Earl +Patrick having embarked, the captain made them +mount to the castle of the ship, and chant psalms +in praise of God, and to pray that He might be +pleased to grant a prosperous voyage; and they, +having ascended, sang the beautiful hymn of 'Veni, +Creator' from beginning to end. While the priests +sang, the mariners set their sails, and the skipper +ordered them to haul up the anchor; and instantly +a breeze filled the sails, and the ships moved slowly +but proudly away from the shore.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>THE ARMED PILGRIMS AT CYPRUS.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>NOT with the very best grace did the King of +France come to the resolution of sailing for +Cyprus. Indeed, the safety of his army depended, +in some degree, on the route selected; and the +safest way to the Holy Land was understood to be +by Sicily. Unluckily, however, Sicily was subject +to the Emperor Frederick; and Frederick and his +dominions had been excommunicated by the Pope; +and Louis, with his peculiar notions, feared to set +foot on a soil that was under the ban of the Church. +At Lyons, where he received the papal blessing, he +endeavoured to reconcile the Emperor and the Pope; +but his Holiness declined to listen to mediation; and +the saint-king, yielding to conscientious scruples, +determined, without further hesitation, to sacrifice +his plan of passing through Sicily to Syria, and +announced his intention of proceeding by way of +Cyprus to Egypt.</div> + +<p>At that time the King of Cyprus was Henry de Lusignan, +to whose family Richard Cœur de Lion had, +in the twelfth century, given the throne, from which +he dragged the Emperor Isaac; and no sooner did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +Louis reach the port of Limisso, than Henry, accompanied +by nobles and clergy, appeared to bid him +welcome. Nothing, indeed, could have exceeded the +enthusiasm with which the French Crusaders were +received; and when Louis was conducted with much +ceremony to Nicosia, and entered that city, the capital +of the island, the populace cheered loudly, and the +clergy met him, singing 'Blessed is he that comes +in the name of the Lord.'</p> + +<p>The glory of Nicosia has long since departed. +Situated in the centre of Cyprus, on the river Pedia, +in a low fertile plain, near the base of a range of +mountains that intersects the island, and surrounded +by walls, in the form of a hexagon, flanked with +bastions, the capital has many fine houses; but +these are mostly in ruins, and the inhabitants occupy +tenements reared of mud and brick, and rather +repulsive in appearance. At that time, however, the +state of Nicosia was very different. As the capital +of the Lusignans, the city exhibited the pomp and +pride of feudal chivalry, with much of the splendour +of oriental courts, and boasted of its palaces, +castles, churches, and convents, and chapelries, and +gardens, and vineyards, and pleasant places, and all +the luxuries likely to render mediæval life enviable.</p> + +<p>Now, when Louis landed at Limisso, and entered +Nicosia, he had no intention of wintering in Cyprus. +In fact, the saint-king was all eagerness to push +forward and combat the Saracens. But circumstances +proved stronger than his will. The Crusaders +were highly captivated with all that they saw and +heard. The aspect of the island was enchanting;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +the wine, which even Solomon has deigned to celebrate, +was to their taste: the dark-eyed Greek +women, who perhaps knew that the island had +anciently been the favourite seat, of Venus, and who, +in any case, enjoyed the reputation of being devoted +to the worship of the goddess, were doubtless fascinating; +and almost every one of the days that succeeded +Louis's arrival was devoted to rejoicings and +feastings. Not unnaturally, but most unfortunately, +the Crusaders yielded to the fascinations of an +existence which at first they all enjoyed, heart +and soul; and with one accord they cried out, 'We +must tarry here till spring. Let us eat, drink, and +be merry.'</p> + +<p>Accordingly the Crusaders did winter in Cyprus; +and the consequences were most disastrous. Enervated +by luxury, they soon forgot their vows, and +rushed into every kind of extravagance and dissipation. +Of course, their recklessness soon brought its +own punishment. As time passed on, and winter set +in, rain fell daily, and the intemperance, the strange +climate, and the weather soon did their work. By-and-by, +a pestilential disease made its appearance in +the camp of the pilgrims, and carried off thousands +of victims, including two hundred and fifty knights. +Moreover, there was much discord and dissension. +The Greek clergy and the Latin clergy began to +quarrel; the Templars and the Knights of St. John +began to fight; and the saint-king found his position +the very reverse of satisfactory or agreeable.</p> + +<p>By the time that the little fleet, on board of which +were Guy Muschamp and Walter Espec, reached<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +Cyprus, matters were not what they should have +been; and the wise and prudent shook their heads, +and predicted that an expedition conducted in +such a fashion was too likely to end in disaster and +ruin.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>EASTWARD.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>IT was July, as I have intimated, when the ship +'Hilda,' which carried Walter Espec and Guy +Muschamp, left the shores of England; and, soon after +having lost sight of land, both began to experience +a little of that vague fear of 'the blue above and the +blue below,' which, in the thirteenth century, made +some of the boldest feudal warriors, when they embarked, +invoke the protection of the saints in +Paradise.</div> + +<p>'On my faith, good Walter,' remarked Guy, with +less than his wonted gaiety, for the ship was beginning +to toss, and he was beginning to feel rather sea sick, +'I cannot but think that the man is a great fool, who, +having wronged any of his neighbours, or having +any mortal sin on his conscience, puts himself in such +peril as this; for, when he goes to sleep at night, he +knows not if in the morning he may not find himself +under the waves.'</p> + +<p>'May the saints preserve us from such a fate,' +replied Walter, thoughtfully; 'yet I own I feel so +uneasy that I can hardly believe myself a descendant +of the kings of the north who made the ocean their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +home, and called the tempest their servant, and +never felt so joyous as when they were treading the +pine plank, and giving the reins to their great sea +horses.'</p> + +<p>'On my faith,' said Guy, who was every moment +becoming more uncomfortable,'I cannot but marvel +much at the eccentricity of their tastes, and could +almost wish myself back to the castle of Wark.'</p> + +<p>'Nevertheless,' replied Walter, 'we must bear in +mind that, having taken the Cross and vowed to +combat the Saracens, it beseems us not, as Christians +and gentlemen, to look backward.'</p> + +<p>At the time when this conversation took place, the +sea was comparatively calm, and the weather most +favourable; and the skipper, naturally overjoyed with +his good fortune in both respects, predicted a speedy +voyage. In this, however, he was in some measure +disappointed. Many circumstances occurred to retard +the progress of the Saxon Earl and his companions +towards Cyprus; and, what with prolonged calms, and +contrary winds, and foul weather, it was late in +autumn ere they neared the island where the King +of France and his chivalry had, for their misfortune, +resolved on passing the winter.</p> + +<p>So far all was well, and the Boy Crusaders, now +recovered from their sickness, rejoiced in the anticipation +of soon reaching Cyprus. But the dangers of +the voyage were not yet over, and one evening, about +vespers, while Walter and Guy were regaling their +imaginations with the prospect of being speedily in +the company of the warriors of France, the mariners +found that they were unpleasantly close to a great<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +mountain of Barbary. Not relishing their position—for +they had the fear of the Saracens of Barbary +before their eyes—the mariners pressed on, and +during the night made all the sail they could, and +flattered themselves that they had run at least fifty +leagues. But what was their surprise when day +broke, to find that they were still off the mountain +which they fancied they must have left behind. Great, +moreover, was their alarm as they thought of the +piratical natives; and, albeit they laboured hard all +that day and all that night to make sail, when the +sun rose next morning—it was Saturday—the mountain, +from which they were so anxious to escape, was +still near at hand. All on board expressed their +alarm on discovering that the mariners deemed their +position perilous; and the Earl, on learning how +matters stood, appeared on deck, and summoned the +master of the ship.</p> + +<p>'In wonder's name, skipper,' said he, sternly, 'how +happens this?'</p> + +<p>'In truth, my lord earl,' replied the skipper, +much perplexed, 'I cannot tell how it happens; but +this I know, that we all run great risk of our lives.'</p> + +<p>'In what way?'</p> + +<p>'From the Saracens of Barbary, who are cruel and +savage, and who are as likely as not to come down in +swarms and attack us.'</p> + +<p>The idea of captivity and chains occurred to every +one who listened, and even the Earl changed countenance. +At that moment, however, one of the chaplains +stepped forward. He was a discreet churchman, +and his words were ever treated with high respect.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> + +<p>'My lord earl and gentlemen,' said the chaplain; +'I never remember any distress in our parish, either +from too much abundance or from want of rain, or +from any other plague, but that God delivered us +from it, and caused everything to happen as well as +could have been wished, when a procession had been +made three times with devotion on a Saturday.'</p> + +<p>'Wherefore,' suggested the Earl, 'you would have +us do likewise, as deeming the ceremony likely to +deliver us from our peril?'</p> + +<p>'Even so,' continued the churchman. 'I recommend, +noble Earl, that, as this day is Saturday, we +instantly commence walking in procession round the +masts of the ship.'</p> + +<p>'By all means,' replied the Earl, 'let us forthwith +walk in procession as you recommend. Worse +than foolish would it be on our parts to neglect such +a ceremony. A simple remedy, on my faith, for such +an evil.'</p> + +<p>Accordingly, the skipper issued orders through +the ship; and all on board were assembled on deck, +and, headed by the priests, solemnly walked in procession +round the masts, singing as they walked; +and, however it came to pass, the ceremony seemed +to have the effect which the chaplain had prognosticated. +From that moment everything went +smoothly. Almost immediately afterwards they lost +sight of the mountain, and cast all fear of the Saracens +of Barbary to the winds; and ere long they had the +gratification of hearing the cry of 'Land,' and of +seeing before their eyes the far-famed island of +Cyprus.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was latest autumn, however; and Cyprus did +not look by any means so bright and beautiful as the +Boy Crusaders had, during the voyage, anticipated. +Indeed, clouds rested over the range of mountains +that intersects the island lengthways. The rain had +fallen somewhat heavily, and the aspect of the place +was so decidedly dismal and disheartening, that, as +the two squires landed, their countenances expressed +much disappointment.</p> + +<p>'Now, by St. John of Beverley,' exclaimed Guy, +giving expression to his feelings, 'I marvel much +that this lovely queen, Venus, of whom minstrels +have sung so much, should, when she doubtless had +her free choice as to a residence, have so highly +favoured this place.</p> + +<p>'Tastes differ,' replied Walter, rather gloomily. +'Certainly, had I my choice of a residence, I should +fix my abode elsewhere.'</p> + +<p>'But what have we here?' cried Guy, as he +pointed to countless casks of wine piled high, one on +the other, and to huge heaps of wheat, barley, and +other grains, which the purveyors of King Louis had +some time before prepared for his grand enterprise. +'Beshrew me, if, at a distance, I did not imagine the +casks of wine to be houses, and the heaps of corn +mountains.'</p> + +<p>'Anyhow,' observed Walter, 'the sight of the +wine and the corn should give us comfort; for it is +clear that the King of France, however saintly, does +not forget that men have mouths, nor mean his +army to die of hunger or thirst.'</p> + +<p>'On my faith,' said Guy, 'I have a strong desire<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +to catch a glance of this miracle of saintliness. I +marvel if he rides about Cyprus on a Spanish steed, +magnificently harnessed, as chronicles tell of Richard +Cœur de Lion doing, dressed in a tunic of rose-coloured +satin, and a mantle of striped and silver +tissue, brocaded with half moons, and a scarlet +bonnet brocaded with gold, and wearing a Damascus +blade with a golden hilt in a silver sheath—oh, +what a fine figure the English king must have cut!'</p> + +<p>'However,' said Walter, 'I fancy King Louis is +not quite so splendid in his appearance as Cœur de +Lion was. But we shall see him ere long.'</p> + +<p>'Ay,' cried Guy; 'we must have a peep at the +royal saint. Meanwhile, good Walter, one thing is +certain—that we are in Cyprus.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>AN ADVENTURE.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>IT was not the good fortune of all the warriors who +had taken the Cross to escape the perils of the +deep, and reach Cyprus in safety.</div> + +<p>About a month after Guy Muschamp and Walter +Espec had reached Limisso, a tall ship bearing a +Crusader of noble name, who had left Constantinople +to combat the Saracens under the banner of St. +Denis, was sailing gallantly towards Cyprus, when +a violent storm arose, and threatened her with +destruction. The wind blew fiercely; the sea ran +mountains high; and, though the ship for a time +struggled sturdily with the elements, she could +not resist her fate. Her cordage creaked, and her +timbers groaned dismally; and, as she was by turns +borne aloft on the waves crested with foam and +precipitated headlong into the gulphs that yawned +between, great was the terror, loud the wailing, and +frightful the turmoil. In vain the mariners exerted +their strength and skill. No efforts on their part +could enable the vessel to resist the fury of the +tempest.</p> + +<p>Every minute matters became more desperate.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +The sea, recently calm, seemed to boil from its very +depths; and the ship, incessantly tossed to and fro by +the roaring billows, appeared, every moment, on the +point of being engulphed. The skipper was lost in +consternation; the Crusaders gave way to despair; +and with death staring them in the face they ceased +to hope for safety, and, kneeling, confessed to each +other, and prayed aloud that their sins might be +forgiven. At length, in spite of the efforts made by +the mariners to resist the winds and waves, the ship, +driven on the rocks near the island, filled with water, +went to pieces, leaving those on board to struggle as +they best might to escape a watery grave. The +struggle was vain. Many, indeed, caught hold of the +vessel's timbers with a vague hope of reaching the +shore; but, unable to contend with the elements, +they, one after another, disappeared and sank to +rise no more.</p> + +<p>Now this terrible shipwreck was not without +witnesses. On that part of the coast of Cyprus +where it occurred was a rude hamlet chiefly tenanted +by fishermen; and men, women, and children crowded +the beach, uttering loud cries, and highly excited, +but unable to render any assistance. It seemed that +no boat could live in such a sea; and the fishermen +could only gaze mournfully on the heartrending +scene, as the waves sprang up and rapaciously +claimed their prey.</p> + +<p>It was while the sea, agitated by the gale, was +still running high; while the waves were leaping, +and tearing, and dashing against the rocks; and +while flocks of sea birds wheeled and screamed over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +the troubled waters, that a knight and two +squires, who, having been caught in the storm, +while riding towards Limisso, reined up, and not +without difficulty learned from the natives, whose +language they scarcely comprehended, the nature +and extent of the disaster. The knight was an +English Crusader, named Bisset, who had taken +service with King Louis; the squires were Walter +Espec and Guy Muschamp. All three, as they +became aware of what had happened, crossed themselves +and breathed a prayer for the souls of those +who had gone to their account.</p> + +<p>'We may as well ride on,'said Guy Muschamp, +who, like his companions, was very much affected; +'all of them have perished, and are now beyond the +reach of human aid.'</p> + +<p>'Not all of them,' exclaimed Walter Espec, suddenly, +as he sprang from his horse, and, with out-stretched +arm, pointed to a white object which was +carried hither and thither by the waves.</p> + +<p>'By the might of Henry, sir squire, you are right,' +cried the English knight, highly excited; 'it is a +woman, as I live, and she is clinging to one of the +ship's timbers.'</p> + +<p>'And she may yet be saved,' said Walter, calmly; +'and by the Holy Cross the attempt must be made, +if we are to escape the reproach of inhumanity and +cowardice.'</p> + +<p>And now the men, women, and children on the +beach became much excited, and shouted loudly. +No one, however, volunteered to go to the rescue. +In fact, the aspect of the sea was so menacing and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +terrible, that the boldest and hardiest of the seafaring +men felt that an attempt could only end in +the destruction of those making it, and shook their +heads with a significance there was no misunderstanding.</p> + +<p>'It seems,' said the knight, mournfully, 'that the +business is desperate; and yet——'</p> + +<p>'And yet,' said Walter, taking up the word as the +knight hesitated and paused, 'it shall never be told +that a woman perished before my eyes, and that I +stood looking on, without making an effort to save +her.'</p> + +<p>'He is mad,' muttered the fishermen, as they +first eyed the English squire, and then exchanged +glances with each other, and shrugged their shoulders.</p> + +<p>But Walter Espec did not ponder or pause. +Throwing his bridle-rein to Guy Muschamp, whose +countenance expressed grave alarm, he quickly +divested himself of his mantle and the belt bearing +his sword, committed himself to the protection of +Holy Katherine, the patron saint of his house, +plunged into the water, and next moment was battling +manfully with the waves. But everything was +against him, even the tide; and, in spite of his skill +as a swimmer, his efforts were at first abortive. But +it was not his nature to yield easily; and, as he put +forth all his strength, and made a desperate struggle, +the affair began to wear another face.</p> + +<p>'Good Walter,' murmured Guy, who stood, pale +as death, watching the swimmer. 'Brave Walter!'</p> + +<p>'Now, may our lady, the Virgin, aid and prosper<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +him,' exclaimed the knight. 'Never have I witnessed +a bolder attempt.'</p> + +<p>As the knight spoke, a loud cheer burst from the +crowd; and then there was silence. Walter drew +nearer and nearer to the woman, for whose life he +was freely venturing his own. In another minute +he clutched her with one hand, turned towards the +shore, and, favoured by the tide, came sailing towards +the spot which the crowd occupied.</p> + +<p>A dozen of the men dashed knee-deep into the +water to relieve Walter of his burden; and as they +did so, a dozen of the women stretched out their +hands, and received the still unconscious form of +her who had been rescued; meanwhile the knight and +Guy Muschamp caught hold of Walter, who, fatigued +and overcome with his almost superhuman exertions, +would otherwise have fallen to the ground. However +they laid him down carefully to rest; and, while +Guy stood watching over him, Bisset went to look to +the safety of the damsel who had been rescued.</p> + +<p>'Sir squire,' said he, with enthusiasm, as he returned, +'you have done as noble a deed as it has ever +been my fate to witness, and the King of France shall +hear of it, as I am a living man; and,' continued he, in +a whisper, 'hearken! you may at the same time congratulate +yourself on having had the good luck to +save a woman well worth saving.'</p> + +<p>'What mean you, sir knight,' asked Walter, +faintly.</p> + +<p>'Simply this—that she is young, fair to behold, +and evidently of high lineage.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>ON THE LADDER OF LIFE.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>FOUR days passed over, and Walter Espec, quite +recovered from the effects of his struggle with +the waves, and of the salt water he had involuntarily +imbibed during his perilous adventure on the coast +of Cyprus, was at Nicosia, and engaged in chivalrous +exercises, in the courtyard of the house occupied by +the Earl of March; when he was accosted by Bisset, +the English knight, who had been a witness of his +daring exploit, and requested to repair to the presence +of the King of France.</div> + +<p>Walter was somewhat taken by surprise and startled +by the summons. Recovering his serenity, however, +as well as he could, he intimated his readiness; and +with the air befitting a Norman gentleman who had +existed from childhood in the consciousness that his +name was known to fame, and who did not forget +that he had noble blood of <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Icingla'">Icinglas</ins> in his veins, he +accompanied the knight to the palace in which the +saint-king was lodged.</p> + +<p>At that time, Louis, not much satisfied with himself +for having consented to winter in Cyprus, though +little dreaming of the terrible misfortunes that awaited<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +his army in the land for which he was bound, was +seated at table and endeavouring to forget his cares, +while conversing familiarly with a young and noble-looking +personage of great strength and stature, with +a head of immense size, and a countenance beaming +with sagacity. In truth this was a very remarkable +personage. He was then known as John, Lord of +Joinville, and seneschal of Champagne; and he has +since been famous as the chronicler of the triumphs +and disasters of the Crusade in which he acted a +conspicuous part.</p> + +<p>'Seneschal,' said Louis, addressing Joinville, 'I +marvel much that you do not mix water with your +wine.'</p> + +<p>'In truth, sire,' replied Joinville, half jocularly, 'I +fear so to do; for physicians have told me I have so +large a head, and so cold a stomach, that water might +prove most injurious.'</p> + +<p>'Nevertheless,' said Louis, earnestly, 'be advised +by me, and do not allow yourself to be deceived. +If you do not drink water till you are in the decline +of life, you will then increase any disorders you may +have.'</p> + +<p>'But, sire,' asked Joinville, innocently, 'why +should I drink water then more than now?'</p> + +<p>'Ah,' answered Louis, 'simply because if you +take pure wine in your old age, you will be frequently +intoxicated; and verily it is a beastly thing +for an honourable man to make himself drunk.'</p> + +<p>'I acknowledge that it is very wrong, sire,' said +Joinville; 'but I am one of those who endeavour +to practise moderation in the use of the wine-cup.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p> + +<p>'And pray, seneschal,' asked Louis, after a pause, +'may I ask if you ever wash the feet of the poor?'</p> + +<p>'Oh, sire, no,' answered Joinville, not without +evincing surprise. 'I hardly deem that it would +become such a person as I am.'</p> + +<p>'In truth, seneschal,' exclaimed Louis, 'this is +very ill said. You ought not to think that unbecoming +which He, who was their Lord and Master, +did for our example when He washed the feet of +His apostles. I doubt not you would very unwillingly +perform what the King of England does; for +on Holy Thursday he washes the feet of lepers.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, sire,' cried Joinville, in a conclusive tone, +'never will I wash the feet of such fellows.'</p> + +<p>'Now, seneschal,' resumed Louis, still more seriously, +'let me ask you another question. Whether +would you be a leper, or have committed a deadly +sin?'</p> + +<p>'Sire,' answered Joinville, frankly, 'rather than +be a leper, I would have committed thirty deadly +sins.'</p> + +<p>'How could you make such an answer?' said +Louis, reproachfully.</p> + +<p>'Sire,' exclaimed Joinville, with decision, 'if I +were to answer again, I should repeat the same +thing.'</p> + +<p>'Nevertheless,' urged Louis, with earnestness, +'you deceive yourself on the subject; for no leprosy +can be so awful as deadly sin, and the soul that is +guilty of such is like the devil in hell.'</p> + +<p>It was when the conversation between the King +of France and the Lord of Joinville had reached<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +this stage, that Walter Espec, guided by the English +knight, made his appearance, not without exhibiting +symptoms of agitation when he found himself face +to face with the monarch, who, of all the princes of +Christendom, enjoyed, at that period, the highest +reputation in Europe and the East.</p> + +<p>But the appearance and aspect of Louis were not +such as to daunt or dismay.</p> + +<p>Nothing could have been more plain and simple +than the dress worn by the royal chief of the crusaders. +Indeed it was plain and simple to affectation; and +the coat of camlet, the surcoat of tyretaine, the +mantle of black sandal, contrasted remarkably with +the splendid garments of princes who were his contemporaries, +especially Henry, King of England, +who, like most of the Plantagenets, was given to +magnificence of attire, and generally regarded as by +far the greatest dandy in his dominions. Nor had +Louis been endowed by nature with the qualities +which please the eye and impress the imagination. +His figure, it is true, was tall and well proportioned; +but his face and features were not calculated to +dazzle. When compared with men of such noble +presence and regal air as our English Edwards and +Henrys, he was decidedly plain. He had the peculiar +face and slanting features which distinguished so +many of the descendants of Hugh Capet, and that +large long straight nose, which, instead of keeping +the Greek facial line, inclined forward, and hung +slightly over the short upper lip. Not even flattery +could have described the saint-king as a model of +manly beauty.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 284px;"> +<img src="images/illus_064.png" width="284" height="400" alt=""Young gentleman," said King Louis, "it has come to my knowledge that you have performed an action noble in itself, and worthy of the praises of the valiant."—p. 64." title=""Young gentleman," said King Louis, "it has come to my knowledge that you have performed an action noble in itself, and worthy of the praises of the valiant."—p. 64." /> +<span class="caption">"Young gentleman," said King Louis, "it has come to my knowledge that you have performed an action noble in itself, and worthy of the praises of the valiant."—p. 64.</span> +</div> + +<p>Now it happened that Walter Espec had never +before seen a king, and was prepared to behold +something very grand, like Cœur de Lion, with his +scarlet bonnet, his rose-coloured tunic, and his mantle +of striped silver tissue, and his Damascus blade +with a golden hilt in a silver sheath. Naturally, +therefore, he was at the first glance somewhat disappointed +with the appearance of the monarch in +whose presence he stood. But as Louis turned upon +him a countenance which, albeit not beautiful, denoted +energy and decision of character, and expressed +at once goodness and good-nature, and high moral +and intellectual superiority, the youth, whose instincts +were strong, felt that he was in the presence +of a man who was worthy of reigning.</p> + +<p>'Young gentleman,' said Louis, mildly, as Walter +bent his knee, 'it has come to my knowledge that +you have performed an action noble in itself, and +worthy of the praises of the valiant.'</p> + +<p>'Sire,' replied Walter, colouring, and speaking +with less than his wonted confidence, 'I scarce know +to what your highness is pleased to refer.'</p> + +<p>'Ah,' said Louis, glancing towards the Lord of +Joinville, 'I can hardly credit your words. But +such modesty is becoming in youth. However, I +mean that, four days since, as I learn, you saved a +noble demoiselle from the sea, at the most manifest +peril to your own life.'</p> + +<p>Walter bowed in acknowledgement of the compliment, +but did not speak.</p> + +<p>'Not,' continued Louis hastily, 'not that you +should therefore be vainglorious, or puffed up with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +vanity, or think more highly of yourself than you +ought to think on account of your achievement, +however honourable; for I trust you know and feel +that, before our Maker, we are all but as potter's clay.'</p> + +<p>'My lord,' replied Walter, pausing in some <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'per lexity'">perplexity</ins>, +'I would fain hope my ideas on the subject +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads ' l'">will</ins> ever be such as befit a Christian and a gentleman.'</p> + +<p>'Well, well,' said Louis, hastily, 'on that point I +meant not to express a doubt, and,' added he, 'seeing +that you give promise of being a preuhomme, I pray +God, out of His goodness, that you may prove a +preudhomme as well as a preuhomme.'</p> + +<p>'Sire,' said Walter, looking puzzled, 'you must +pardon me when I confess that I comprehend not +clearly the distinction.'</p> + +<p>'Ah,' replied Louis, smiling, and shaking his head +gravely, 'the distinction is of much consequence; +for know that by preuhomme I mean a man who +is valiant and bold in person, whereas by preudhomme +I signify one who is prudent, discreet, and +who fears God, and has a good conscience.'</p> + +<p>Walter bowed again; and, being at a loss for +words to answer, took refuge in silence. In fact, he +began to feel so awkward that he wished nothing so +fervently as that the interview would come to an +end; and Louis, after condescending to ask some +more questions, and inculcate some more lessons, +dismissed him with words of encouragement, and +gifted him with an amulet in the form of a ring, +which bore on it this inscription—</p> + +<div class='poem'> +Who wears me shall perform exploits,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And with great joy return.</span><br /></div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +As Walter left the king's presence to depart from +the palace, he turned to the knight who had been +his conductor.</p> + +<p>'On my faith, sir knight,' said he laughing, but +rather nervously, 'this reminds me more of the +adventures which in childhood I have heard related +by pilgrims and pedlars at the chimney-corner, than +aught I ever expected to meet with in the real +breathing busy world.'</p> + +<p>'Indeed,' said Bisset, quietly; 'methinks there is +nothing so very wondrous about the business. It +only seems to me that you have been born with luck +on your side—not my own case—and that you have, +without hazarding more than you are likely to do +in the first battle with the Saracens, gained the +privilege of climbing some steps up the ladder that +leads to fortune and fame.'</p> + +<p>'And yet,' observed Walter, as he laughed and +looked at the ring which Louis had bestowed on +him, 'beshrew me if I have had the courage to ask +either the rank or name of the demoiselle to whom +I had the fortune to render the service that has +made my existence known to this good and pious +king.'</p> + +<p>'By the might of Mary,' exclaimed the knight, +'there is no reason why you should remain in +ignorance who the demoiselle is, or what is her +name. She is kinswoman of John de Brienne, who, +in his day, figured as King of Jerusalem, and kinswoman +also of Baldwin de Courtenay, who now +reigns at Constantinople as Emperor of the East; +and her name is Adeline de Brienne.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Holy Katherine,' muttered Walter, again looking +closely at the inscription on the ring, as if for +evidence that the whole was not a dream, 'I begin +to think that I must assuredly have been born with +luck on my side, as you say; and, with such luck on +my side, I need not even despair of finding the +brother I have lost.'</p> + +<p>'Credit me, at all events,' said Bisset, looking +wise, 'when I tell you that you have got upon the +ladder of life.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>THE VOYAGE.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>IT was the Saturday before Pentecost, in the year +1249, when the fleet of King Louis and the +armed pilgrims, consisting of no fewer than eighteen +hundred vessels, great and small, issued gallantly +from the port of Limisso, and steered towards +Egypt.</div> + +<p>At first nothing could have been more gay and +pleasant than the voyage of the Crusaders. It +seemed as if the whole sea, so far as the eye could +reach, was covered with cloth and with banners of +bright colours. Everything appeared promising. +The voyage, however, was not destined to prove +prosperous. Suddenly the wind, which had been +favourable, changed, and blew violently from the +coast of Egypt. Great confusion was the consequence; +and, though the Genoese mariners exerted +all their skill, the fleet was utterly dispersed. +Indeed, when King Louis, having put back, reached +Limisso, he found, to his horror, that not more than +two-thirds of the armed pilgrims remained in his +company. Concluding that his companions had +been drowned, the saintly monarch was grieved<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +beyond measure, and on the point of giving way to +despair.</p> + +<p>It happened, however, that while Louis was +mourning over the mishap, William Longsword, Earl +of Salisbury, arrived at Cyprus with the English +Crusaders, and administered some degree of consolation. +In truth, Longsword was just the man to +explain all in the most satisfactory manner. Having +been accustomed from his youth to cross the narrow +seas, he felt none of that vague terror of the ocean +which made the French knights, when they embarked, +invoke the protection of the saints; and he expressed +his opinion that, in all probability, the missing vessels +were safe on the Syrian coast. But the indifference +which the earl showed for dangers at which the +French trembled had the effect of making him +many enemies, and arousing the natural jealousies +which afterwards proved so baneful to the expedition.</p> + +<p>It ought to be borne in mind, that at the period +of St. Louis's crusade there existed no love between +the nobles of France and the nobles of England; and +it appears that the French were in the habit of +treating the English with some degree of scorn. Nor +was it unnatural that such should have been the case; +for, during half a century, in almost every struggle +between the kingdoms, the French had been victorious. +Philip Augustus, after holding his own against +Richard Cœur de Lion, had succeeded in driving +John from the continent; and Louis, when forced to +take the field against Henry, had pursued his royal +brother-in-law from the bridge of Taillebourg to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +gates of Bordeaux. Remembering such triumphs, +the French, who have in all ages been vain and +boastful, were continually vaunting about their +prowess, and repeating the story of some Englishman +having cut off the tail of Thomas à Becket's horse, +and of Englishmen having ever after that outrage +been born with tails like horses.</p> + +<p>Such being the state of affairs, the Earl of Salisbury +did not inspire the French nobles with any +particular affection for him and his countrymen who +had arrived at Cyprus, when they heard him speaking +lightly of the dangers of the sea. In fact, the +French lords, who a few hours earlier had been sinking +under sea-sickness, trembling at the sound of +raging billows, and wishing themselves safely in +their own castles, cursed 'Longsword,' as the worst +of 'English tails.'</p> + +<p>But the King of France did not share the malice +of his countrymen; and, much comforted by the +words of the English earl, he resolved on again +tempting the sea. Accordingly, on Monday morning, +he ordered the mariners to spread their sails to the +wind. The weather proving favourable, the fleet +made gallantly for the shores of Egypt; and on the +morning of Thursday, about sunrise, the watch on +deck of the vessel that led the van, shouted 'Land!'</p> + +<p>'Surely, not yet,' exclaimed several voices; but +the pilot to make certain ascended to the round-top +of the vessel.</p> + +<p>'Gentlemen,' cried the pilot, 'it is all right. We +are before Damietta, so you have nothing to do but +to recommend yourselves to God.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Hurrah!' shouted the mariners; and from ship +to ship the tidings passed; and, as the words of the +pilot flew from deck to deck, a cry of joy burst +from thousands of lips. Great was the excitement +that prevailed; and the chiefs of the expedition +hastily arrayed themselves to go on board the king's +ship and hold a council of war.</p> + +<p>And now all eyes were turned towards the shore; +and it seemed that the Crusaders were likely to encounter +a desperate resistance in any attempt to +land. A fleet and formidable engines of war defended +the mouth of the Nile. A numerous army of +horse and foot appeared on the beach, as if bent on +contesting every inch of ground. At the head of this +mighty host, wearing armour of burnished gold, +figured the Emir Fakreddin, one of the foremost +of Saracen warriors. From the midst trumpets and +drums sounded a stern defiance to the armament of +the Christians. But, undaunted by the aspect of +affairs, the armed pilgrims steadily pursued their +course; and ship after ship, moving calmly forward, +anchored within a mile of the shore.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the pilgrims, princes, and nobles, had +reached the king's ship; and Louis, leaning on his +sword, received them with satisfaction on his countenance.</p> + +<p>'Gentlemen,' said he, 'our voyage has not been +without its perils, but let us be thankful that we are +at length face to face with the enemies of Christ.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, sire,' said the chiefs, 'and it is therefore +expedient to form some plan of action.'</p> + +<p>'And, under the circumstances,' added several, 'it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +will be prudent to await our comrades who have +been separated from us by the tempest.'</p> + +<p>It soon appeared that among the chiefs there was +a general wish to await the coming of their missing +comrades; but the king was young, and the drums +and horns of the Saracens had so chafed his pride +that he would not hear of delay.</p> + +<p>'We have not come hither,' said he, excitedly, 'to +listen to the insults of our enemies; nor have we +any port in which to shelter from the wind. A +second tempest may disperse what remains of our +fleet. To-day God offers us a victory; another day +He may punish us for having neglected to conquer.'</p> + +<p>'Sire, be it as you will,' replied the assembled +chiefs, not caring to debate the point with their +king.</p> + +<p>And so, with much less deliberation than was +necessary under the circumstances, and without duly +considering the resources of the enemy whom they had +to combat, King Louis and the chief Crusaders resolved +to disembark on the morrow and give battle. +Meantime a strict watch was maintained, and several +swift vessels were despatched towards the mouth of +the Nile to observe the motions of the Saracens.</p> + +<p>It happened that the Saracens, in spite of their +dauntless show, were by no means in the best mood +to make an obstinate resistance, nor were they in +any sanguine mood as to the result of their preparations. +At such a crisis, the presence of the sultan +was necessary to sustain their spirits, and stimulate +their fanaticism.</p> + +<p>Now at that time Melikul Salih was Sultan of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +Egypt; but he was not at Damietta, and his absence +caused much uncertainty and dismay among the +warriors assembled to defend his dominions. Melikul +Salih was then at Cairo; and almost every man +in Fakreddin's army knew that Melikul Salih was +dying.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>AT DAMIETTA.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>ABOUT a mile from the sea, on the northern bank +of the second mouth of the Nile, stood the +city of Damietta, with its mosques, and palaces, and +towers, and warehouses, defended on the river side +by a double rampart, and on the land side by a +triple wall. Fair and enchanting to the eye was the +locality in which it was situated; and as the Crusaders +directed their gaze towards the groves of oranges +and citrons, loaded with flowers and fruit, the woods +of palms and sycamores, the thickets of jasmines +and odoriferous shrubs, the vast plains, with pools +and lakes well stocked with fish, the thousand canals +intersecting the land, and crowned with papyrus and +reeds, they, feeling the influence of a rich climate +and a beautiful sky, could not find words sufficiently +strong to express their admiration and delight.</div> + +<p>'Now, good Walter,' said Guy Muschamp, as the +brothers-in-arms, having ascended to the castle of +the 'Hilda,' looked earnestly towards the shore, +'who can deny that such a land is worth fighting to +conquer?'</p> + +<p>'On my faith,' exclaimed Walter Espec, with enthusiasm,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +'it is so pleasant to the eye, that I could +almost persuade myself I am looking upon that terrestrial +paradise in which the father and mother +of mankind lived so happily before eating the fatal +apple.'</p> + +<p>No wonder, when such was the aspect of the country +around Damietta, that the armed pilgrims were impatient +to land.</p> + +<p>And no time was lost; for, of all the armed pilgrims, +King Louis was perhaps the most eager to +encounter the enemies of his religion; and, soon +after daybreak, on the morning of Friday, a signal +was given for the fleet to weigh anchor and draw +near to the shore.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the Saracens, under the Emir Fakreddin, +were on the alert; and while a bell, that had +remained in the great mosque of Damietta ever +since John de Brienne seized the city in 1217, tolled +loudly to warn the inhabitants of the danger, the +Moslem warriors got under arms, and with cavalry +and infantry occupied the whole of that part of the +strand at which the Crusaders had resolved to disembark.</p> + +<p>But the armed pilgrims were nothing daunted by +the sight of the formidable preparations made to +oppose their landing. Getting into barques which +had been provided for the purpose, they prepared to +fight their way ashore, in defiance of all dangers. +Ranging themselves in two lines, with their lances in +their hands, and their horses by their sides, the +knights and nobles stood erect in their boats, while +in front, and on the wings of the armament, were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +placed crossbowmen to harass and keep off the foe. +Nor did Louis in that hour appear in any way unworthy +to be the leader of brave men. Attended by +his brothers and his knights, the King of France, +arrayed in chain-mail, with his helmet on his brow, +his shield on his neck, and his lance in his hand, +figured prominently on the right of his array. By +his side stood the cardinal legate; and in front of +him was a boat in which the oriflamme, brought +from the abbey of St. Denis, was proudly displayed.</p> + +<p>It was an exciting occasion, and the hearts of the +saint-king and his mailed comrades beat high as +the barques moved onward to the Egyptian strand. +The warriors, standing steady and silent as graven +images, gazed earnestly on their multitudinous foes. +For a time no attempt was made to oppose their +progress. No sooner, however, were they within +bowshot, than a shower of arrows and javelins rattled +against the mail of the Crusaders. For a moment +the ranks of the Christian warriors were shaken. +But the crossbowmen, without the delay of an +instant, retaliated with damaging effect; and while +their shafts carried death into the Saracen host, the +rowers redoubled their efforts to reach the shore, +and bring Christian and Moslem hand to hand and +foot to foot.</p> + +<p>Again the silence was unbroken, save by the +plashing of oars and the tumultuous shock of the +barques pressing on in disorder. Ere long, however, +there was a loud shout. The Lord of Joinville, +closely followed by Baldwin de Rheims, had reached<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +the shore; and they were setting their men in battle +order, and covering themselves with their shields, +and presenting the points of their lances to check +the impetuosity of the enemy.</p> + +<p>And now King Louis lost all patience; and deeming +it no time to stand on his regal dignity, he leaped +from his barge, and plunging up to his shoulders in +the water, struggled towards the shore. Inspired by +his example, the Crusaders threw themselves into the +sea in a body, and pressed eagerly onward, with cries +of 'Montjoie! St. Denis!' Again the silence was +unbroken, save by the clash of mail, the noise of +a dense crowd of armed men struggling with the +waves, which were so elevated by the rush, that +they fell and broke at the feet of the Saracens. In +a few moments, however, the oriflamme was landed, +and the saint-king, with the salt water running off +his armour, was on his knees giving thanks to God +for having preserved him and his companions from +the perils of the deep.</p> + +<p>'And now, gentlemen,' said Louis, as he rose and +looked excitedly around him, 'let us forthwith +charge our enemies in the name of God.'</p> + +<p>'Be patient, sire,' replied the knights, interfering; +'it is better to await the landing of our comrades, +that we may fight with advantage.'</p> + +<p>Louis allowed himself to be persuaded; and it +speedily appeared that caution was necessary; for, +while the Crusaders were still struggling ashore in +disorder, the Saracen cavalry came down upon them +with an impetuosity which convinced the French +that their adversaries were not to be despised. But<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +Joinville and Baldwin of Rheims rendered their +comrades good service. Hastily closing their ranks, +they contrived not only to stay the rush, but to +present so impenetrable a front, that the Saracens +retired baffled to prepare for a fresh spring.</p> + +<p>And again, with an enthusiastic energy which +would have struck terror into antagonists less bold, +the Saracens under Fakreddin charged down upon +the Crusaders; and then began, all along the coast, +a confused conflict which raged for hours—Christian +and Moslem fighting hand to hand; while the +two fleets engaged at the mouth of the Nile; and +the Queen of France and the Countess of Anjou, +and other ladies of high rank, who remained on +board at a distance, awaited the issue of the contest +with terrible anxiety, and, with priests around them, +sang psalms and prayed fervently for the aid and +protection of the God of battles. At length the conflict +came to an end. Both on the water and on the +land the Crusaders were victorious. The Saracen fleet, +after getting decidedly the worst of the combat, +escaped up the Nile; and the Saracen soldiers, beaten +and dispersed, retired precipitately, and flying in +confusion towards Damietta, abandoned their camp, +and left several of their emirs dead on the field.</p> + +<p>After witnessing the flight of the Saracens, Louis +ordered his pavilion, which was of bright scarlet, to +be pitched on the ground where he had conquered, +and caused the clergy to sing the Te Deum. The +Crusaders then set up their tents around that of the +king, and passed the night in rejoicing over the +victory they had won.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> + +<p>Next day the Crusaders had still stronger reason to +congratulate themselves on the good fortune which +had attended their arms. At daybreak, looking +towards Damietta, they observed that columns of smoke +were rising from the bosom of the city, and that the +whole horizon was on fire. Without delay the King +of France sent one of his knights and a body of +cavalry to ascertain the cause; and, on reaching +Damietta, the knight found the gates open, and +learned on entering that the Saracens, after setting +fire to that part called the Fonde, which was a row +of shops and warehouses, had abandoned the city. +Returning to the camp at a gallop, while his men +remained to extinguish the fire, the knight announced +the glad tidings to the saint-king.</p> + +<p>'Sire,' said he, 'I bring good news; Damietta may +be taken possession of without striking a blow.'</p> + +<p>It was not very easy, even after hearing all, to +credit this knight's report; and Louis was somewhat +suspicious of a stratagem. However, he gave orders +for marching towards the gates, and moving slowly, +and with much caution, took possession. It was +clear that the city had been abandoned by its +defenders; and the king, the cardinal legate, and +the clergy, having formed in procession, walked to +the grand mosque, which was speedily converted +into a Christian church, and sang psalms of praise +and thanksgiving.</p> + +<p>And now the Crusaders, with Damietta in their +possession, were indeed elate, and rather inclined to +magnify their successes; and the Queen of France +and the Countess of Anjou, and the other ladies<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +were brought ashore and lodged in the palaces of +the city; and five hundred knights were charged +with the duty of guarding the ramparts and towers; +and the warriors of the Cross, encamping in the plain +outside the gates, gave themselves up to dissipation, +and deluded themselves with the idea that no enterprise +was too difficult for them to accomplish.</p> + +<p>'Now,' said the French, as they quaffed the red +wine and rattled the dice-box, 'we have only to +await the coming of our companions from the coast +of Syria, and of the Count of Poictiers, with the +<i>arrière ban</i> of France, to undertake the conquest of +Egypt.'</p> + +<p>'Ay,' said others, 'and then let the Saracens and +their sultan tremble.'</p> + +<p>'Nothing,' echoed a third party, 'can withstand +the warriors of France, when animated by the presence +and example of their king.'</p> + +<p>'I dislike all this boasting,' remarked Bisset, the +English knight, to Walter Espec and Guy Muschamp, +'and, albeit I wish not to be thought a prophet of +evil, I predict that it will end in mischief and +disaster.'</p> + +<p>'The saints forbid,' exclaimed Guy, gaily. 'For +my part I dread nothing but the thought of being +devoured by some of the crocodiles which, men say, +are hatched in the waters of the Nile.'</p> + +<p>'Nevertheless, mark my words,' said Bisset, more +gravely than it was his wont to speak. 'At present +the Frenchmen believe that, because they have plied +their swords with some effect, that henceforth the +Saracens will fly before their scabbards. Now they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +are all singing songs of triumph; ere long, if you +and I live, we'll hear them singing to a very different +tune.'</p> + +<p>'Ah, sir knight,' said Walter, smiling, 'you say +this from national jealousy, and because they call us +"English tails."'</p> + +<p>'"English tails!"' repeated Bisset, scornfully; 'I +tell you, for your comfort, that when the hour of +real danger arrives, we "English tails" are likely to +find our way so deep into the Saracens' ranks, that +not a bragging Frenchman will venture to come nigh +the tails of our war-steeds.'</p> + +<p>'By St. John of Beverley,' exclaimed Guy, laughing +merrily, 'I cannot but think that the French +and English Crusaders are already inclined to hate +each other much more than either French or English +hate the Saracens.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>INCURSIONS.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>AND what were the sultan and the Saracens +saying and doing while the Crusaders were +establishing themselves at Damietta, and delighting +their souls with visions of the conquest of Egypt?</div> + +<p>In order to ascertain we must, in imagination, pass +from the camp at Damietta to the palace of Cairo.</p> + +<p>Melikul Salih was under the influence of a malady +which his physicians pronounced to be incurable. +On that point there was no mistake. Nevertheless, +when pigeons carried to Cairo intelligence of the +French king's victory and Fakreddin's defeat, the +sultan roused himself to energy, and, after having +sentenced fifty of the principal fugitives to execution, +and taken Fakreddin severely to task for allowing +his men to be vanquished, he caused himself to be +removed to Mansourah. On reaching that city, +Melikul Salih expended his remaining strength in +rallying his army and strengthening the fortifications, +and at the same time sent men to attack the Crusaders +in their camp, to kill the Franks and cut off +their heads,—promising a golden besant for every +head brought to him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Arab cavalry of the Desert, and bands of +horsemen belonging to that wild nation known as +the Karismians, were employed on this service; and +the Crusaders found themselves exposed to dangers +against which it seemed impossible to guard. As +wild animals prowl around the habitations of men on +the watch for prey, so around the Christian camp +prowled the Arabs and Karismians by day and by +night. If even at noon a soldier wandered from the +camp he was lost; and, in hours of darkness, sentinel +after sentinel disappeared, and knight after knight +was struck dead, as if by invisible hands. Every +morning the Crusaders had to listen to some new +tale of horror which made their blood run cold.</p> + +<p>Ere the Arabs and Karismians had carried alarm +into the camp of the Crusaders, many of the warriors +of the West had begun to suffer from the climate of +Egypt; and among others who were prostrated, was +the old Earl of March. For a time he seemed likely +to fall a victim to the malady; but the natural vigour +of his constitution at length prevailed; and he had +almost recovered, when a sudden inroad of the enemy +exposed him to a new peril.</p> + +<p>It was the afternoon of an August day; and Earl +Patrick was arraying himself to ride into Damietta +to attend a council of war. His white charger stood +at the entrance of his pavilion, and there sat Walter +Espec, looking somewhat gloomy, as many of the +armed pilgrims were already doing, when Guy +Muschamp approached with a countenance from +which much of the habitual gaiety had vanished.</p> + +<p>'What tidings?' asked Walter, eagerly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> + +<p>'On my faith, good Walter,' answered Guy, shaking +his head, 'I now know of a truth that this Damietta +is not quite such a paradise as we fancied when +gazing at it from the sea.'</p> + +<p>'Serpents often lurk where flowers grow,' said +Walter; 'but what new tidings of mishap have +clouded your brow?'</p> + +<p>'Nothing less,' replied Guy, 'than that these foul +Saracens have been marvellously near us. No later +than last night they entered the camp, surprised the +watch of Lord Courtenay, and this morning his body +was found on the table; his head was gone.'</p> + +<p>'By the saints!' exclaimed Walter, 'such warfare, +waged by invisible foes, may well daunt the bravest; +and albeit I trust much from the protection of the +Holy Katherine, yet I at times feel a vague dread of +being the next victim.'</p> + +<p>At that moment, and almost ere Walter had +spoken, there arose loud and shrill cries, and then +loud shouts of alarm.</p> + +<p>'By good St. George!' shouted Hugh Bisset, rushing +in, 'the Saracens are upon us; they are carrying +off the Lord Perron, and his brother the Lord Duval. +Arm, arm, brave squires. To the rescue! to the +rescue!'</p> + +<p>As Bisset gave the alarm, the Earl of March came +forth. He was arrayed in chain-mail, and his helmet +was on his brow.</p> + +<p>'What, ho!' cried the earl, with lofty indignation; +'do the sons of darkness, who worship Mahound and +Termagaunt, venture where my white lion ramps in +his field of red? Out upon them! My axe and shield.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mounting his white steed, the earl caused one of +the sides of his pavilion to be raised, and issuing +forth, spurred against the foe with shouts of 'Let +him who loves me follow me! Holy Cross! Holy +Cross!' Nor did the aged warrior confine his hostility +to words. Encountering the leader of the Saracens +face to face, he bravely commenced the attack, and, +after a brief conflict, with his heavy axe cleft the +infidel from the crown almost to the chest.</p> + +<p>'Pagan dog!' exclaimed the earl, as the Saracen +fell lifeless to the ground; 'I devote thine impure +soul to the powers of hell.'</p> + +<p>But this achievement was the last which Earl +Patrick was destined to perform. As he spurred +forward to pursue his success, his steed became refractory, +and he was flung violently to the ground. +Ere his friends could come to his aid, the Saracens +gave him several blows with their clubs, and he +would have been killed on the spot but for the +arrival of Bisset, with Guy Muschamp and Walter +Espec, who, having mounted, now came with a rush +to the rescue. A sharp conflict then took place. +Guy, advancing as gaily as if he had been in the +tiltyard at Wark, gallantly unhorsed one Saracen +with the point of his lance. Walter, going more +gravely into the combat, killed another with his +falchion, at the use of which he was expert. After +much trouble the French lords were rescued; and such +of the Saracens as had not fallen, fled, and galloped +along the banks of the Nile.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the squires and grooms of the Earl of +March raised him from the ground; and, supported<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +by them, he contrived to reach his tent; but he was +much bruised, and so exhausted that he could not +muster voice to speak. When, however, surgeons +and physicians were called, they expressed themselves +hopefully, and, not comprehending his dangerous +state, bled him freely in the arm, and then administering +a composing draught, left him under the +charge of the squires.</p> + +<p>As evening was falling, the Earl of Salisbury, after +a long conference with King Louis, during which the +unfortunate quarrel of the English and French Crusaders +were discussed with a view of averting fatal +consequences, left the royal quarters, in company +with the Lord of Joinville.</p> + +<p>'Seneschal,' said Salisbury, 'I would fain visit the +Earl of March; and I pray you to bear me company.'</p> + +<p>'Right willingly,' replied Joinville; 'for he is a +man of great valour and renown, and wise in council; +and it were ill for our expedition if his wounds +should prove fatal.'</p> + +<p>'And how fares the earl?' asked Salisbury, as they +reached the tent over which ramped that ancient +lion argent, so terrible on many a foughten field.</p> + +<p>'My lord,' said Walter Espec, in a hushed voice, +as they came to the entrance, 'the earl sleeps; so +pray tread softly, lest you should disturb his repose.'</p> + +<p>They did so, and entering, found the earl lying on +his mantle of minever, which covered him.</p> + +<p>'He sleeps soundly,' whispered Walter, looking up.</p> + +<p>'Boy,' said Salisbury, solemnly, 'he sleeps the +sleep that knows no waking.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> + +<p>Walter stooped down, and perceived that Salisbury +was right. The earl was dead.</p> + +<p>'May paradise be open to him,' said Salisbury, +crossing himself with pious fervour.</p> + +<p>'Amen,' said Joinville. 'May his soul repose in +holy flowers.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>A RENEGADE.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>IT was a sad day for Guy Muschamp and Walter +Espec, when they suddenly found themselves +deprived of the protection of the aged war-chief +under whose banner they had embarked for the East. +However, they were not long without patrons. Guy +attached himself to the Lord of Joinville, who was +his mother's kinsman. Walter became squire to the +Earl of Salisbury, and in that capacity joined the +English Crusaders. In fact, Longsword, having heard +from Joinville of Walter's adventure at Cyprus, took +a decided liking to the young northern man, examined +him as to his lineage, his parentage, and his +education, heard the sad story of his brother's disappearance, +and spoke words of such kind encouragement, +that the tears started to Walter's eyes, and his +brave heart was quite won.</div> + +<p>One day, soon after entering Longsword's service, +Walter was standing at the entrance of the tent +occupied by the chief of the English Crusaders, now +thinking somewhat sadly of the green fields and oak +forests of his native land, now longing to behold +some of the wonders of the Nile, when a man of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +forty or thereabouts, handsome and well-dressed as +a Frank, presented himself, and bowed low.</p> + +<p>'You are of the English nation?' said he, in +French.</p> + +<p>'Yes,' replied Walter, examining him with curiosity.</p> + +<p>'And you serve the great English lord, who is +called Longsword?'</p> + +<p>'It is my pride to serve that famous warrior,' +replied Walter, quietly.</p> + +<p>'And I would fain speak with him if you could +obtain me a hearing.'</p> + +<p>Walter shook his head significantly.</p> + +<p>'Before I can make such an attempt,' said he, 'I +must learn who you are, and what you want.'</p> + +<p>'My name is Beltran. I am a Frank by birth, +but for nine years I have been an inhabitant of +Egypt.'</p> + +<p>'Nine years!' exclaimed Walter. 'By the Holy +Cross, you must know the country well-nigh as intimately +as the Egyptians themselves.'</p> + +<p>'Much knowledge I do possess of the country, +and of the wonders it contains.'</p> + +<p>'Well,' said Walter, 'I will put your knowledge to +the test. Whence comes this river, the Nile, of +which so many stories are told? Is it true that it +takes its rise in the terrestrial paradise?'</p> + +<p>'In truth,' replied Beltran, 'I would I could +answer your question to your satisfaction. It is the +report of the country that the Nile does come from +the terrestrial paradise. But nothing certain is +known on the subject. I have heard that the sultan<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +has attempted to learn whence it came, by sending +experienced persons to follow the course of it.'</p> + +<p>'Yes,' said Walter, eagerly.</p> + +<p>'These persons, on their return,' continued Beltran, +'reported that they had followed the river till they +came to a large mountain of perpendicular rocks, +which it was impossible to climb, and over these +rocks fell the water. And it seemed to them that on +the top of this mountain were many trees; and they +saw strange wild beasts, such as lions, elephants, and +other sorts, which came to gaze at them. And, not +daring to advance further, they returned to the +sultan.'</p> + +<p>'And this is all that is known?' said Walter.</p> + +<p>'Yes,' replied Beltran. 'Where the Nile enters +Egypt, it spreads in branches over the plain. One +of them flows to Damietta; a second to Alexandria; +a third to Tunis; and a fourth to Rexi. About St. +Remy's Day it expands itself into seven branches, +and thence flows over the plains. When the waters +retire, the labourers appear and till the ground with +ploughs without wheels, and then sow wheat, barley, +rice, and cumin, which succeed so well that nowhere +are finer crops.'</p> + +<p>'And whence,' asked Walter, 'comes this yearly +increase of water?'</p> + +<p>'I cannot tell, except that it comes from God's +mercy. Some say that this overflowing is caused by +heavy rains in Abyssinia; but many Arabs believe +that a drop of dew falls into the river, and causes +the inundation; and some declare they have seen it +fall, like a star. The night when it falls is called<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +the "drop-night." But certain it is that, were it not +to happen, Egypt, from the great heat, would produce +nothing; for, being near the rising sun, it scarcely +ever rains, save at very long intervals.'</p> + +<p>'Of a truth,' observed Walter, 'all this sounds +strange to English ears.'</p> + +<p>'Where the river enters Egypt,' continued Beltran, +'there are expert persons, who may be called the +fishermen of this stream, and who, in the evening, +cast their nets into the water, and in the morning +frequently find many spices in them, such as ginger, +cinnamon, rhubarb, cloves, lignum-aloes, and other +good things, which they sell by weight.'</p> + +<p>'But how come the spices into the water?' enquired +Walter.</p> + +<p>'Well, it is the belief of the country that they +come from the terrestrial paradise, and that the +wind blows them down from these fine trees, as, +in your forests, the wind blows down the old dry +wood. But such is mere surmise, albeit widely +credited.'</p> + +<p>'And the water of the Nile is deemed sweet to the +taste?' said Walter.</p> + +<p>'None in the world more sweet. The Arabs hold +that, if Mahomet had once tasted it, he would have +prayed that he might live for ever, so as unceasingly +to enjoy its sweetness.'</p> + +<p>'And yet it seems so turbid to the eye?'</p> + +<p>'True; but, when the natives drink of it, it is +clear as crystal. Towards evening, crowds come down +to get water, and especially women, who, on such +occasions, are decorated with all the ornaments they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +possess. You must understand that they come in +companies, because it is not deemed decorous for a +woman to go alone. And marvellous it is to see +how they balance the water-pots on their head, and +walk gracefully up steep banks which even you—agile +as you may be—might have some difficulty in +clambering up without any burden. Then they put +into their vessels almonds or beans, which they shake +well; and on the morrow the water is wondrous clear, +and more refreshing than the daintiest wine.'</p> + +<p>'On my faith!' said Walter, 'all this is so curious +that, were it a time of truce, I should be tempted to +adventure up this river and behold some of the +strange things of which you tell. But here comes +my lord.' And, as he spoke, the Earl of Salisbury +rode up, and, while Walter held the stirrup, dismounted.</p> + +<p>Immediately the stranger stepped forward, and, +humbling himself, with respect offered Salisbury +some lard in pots, and a variety of sweet-smelling +flowers.</p> + +<p>'I bring them to you, noble earl,' said the man, +in French, 'because you are cousin of Prince Richard, +who is called Earl of Cornwall, and because you are +nephew of the Crusader whose memory is held in +most respect and dread by the Saracens.'</p> + +<p>'Of whom speak you?' asked Salisbury, a little +surprised.</p> + +<p>'I speak of King Richard of England,' was the +reply; 'for he performed such deeds when he was +in the Holy Land that the Saracens, when their +horses are frightened at a bush or a shadow, cry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +out, "What! dost think King Richard is there?" +In like manner, when their children cry, their +mothers say to them, "Hush, hush! or I will bring +King Richard of England to you."'</p> + +<p>'On my faith!' said the earl, looking more and +more surprised, 'I cannot comprehend you; for, +albeit speaking French, and wearing the dress of +a Frank, you seem from your words to be an inhabitant +of this country.'</p> + +<p>'It is true,' replied the man, slowly. 'You must +know that I am a Christian renegade.'</p> + +<p>'A Christian renegade!' exclaimed Salisbury, +with pious horror. And then asked, 'But who are +you, and why became you a renegade?'</p> + +<p>'Well, it came to pass in this wise,' answered the +man, frankly. 'I was born in Poictiers, whence I +followed Richard, Earl of Cornwall, to the East, and +found my way to Egypt, where I have acquired some +wealth.'</p> + +<p>'But,' demanded the earl, indignantly, 'know +you not that if you were to die while leading your +present life, you would descend straight to hell, and +be for ever damned?'</p> + +<p>'In truth,' replied the man, 'I know full well +that there is not a better religion than that of the +Christians. But what can I do? Suppose I returned +to it and had to go back to France, I should assuredly +suffer great poverty, and be continually reproached +all my days, and be called "Renegado! +renegado!"'</p> + +<p>'Even with that prospect you ought not to hesitate,' +said the earl; 'for surely it would be much<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +better to suffer the scorn of the world than await +your sentence in the day of judgment, when your +evil deeds will be made manifest, and damnation will +follow.'</p> + +<p>'Nevertheless,' protested the renegade, 'I had +rather live at my ease, as I am, like a rich man, +than become an object of contempt.'</p> + +<p>'I cannot brook your presence,' said the earl, +growing very indignant: 'therefore begone; I can +have no more to say to you.'</p> + +<p>'Be not over-hasty,' said the renegade; 'for be it +known to you, noble Earl, that I have that to tell +which it will profit you much to know.'</p> + +<p>'Speak, then,' said the earl, hesitating, 'but be +brief; for my patience is not so long as was my +father's sword.'</p> + +<p>'It is of a rich caravan I would speak,' said the +renegade, with a glance and a gesture of peculiar +significance.</p> + +<p>'Ah!' exclaimed the earl, pricking up his ears, and +listening with evident interest.</p> + +<p>'It is on its way to Alexandria, and will pass within +six leagues of Damietta within four days,' said the +renegade. 'And whoever can capture that caravan +may gain an immense booty.'</p> + +<p>'And how does this concern me?' asked the earl.</p> + +<p>'My lord,' replied the renegade, 'I see not wherefore +you should not seize the prize as well as another.'</p> + +<p>'But how am I to trust your report? How am I to +know that your intent is not to betray me?'</p> + +<p>'My lord,' answered the renegade, 'I am in your +power. I will answer for the truth of my story with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +my head; and, I promise you, I am as yet neither +so old nor so weary of life as to hazard it needlessly.'</p> + +<p>'One question further,' said the earl, who was by +this time much excited with the prospect of a rich +booty. 'How am I, being in a strange country, to find +this caravan of which you speak?'</p> + +<p>'I myself will be your guide,' replied the renegade.</p> + +<p>'And wherefore do you hazard so much to put me +in possession of this prize, when, by doing so, you +expose yourself to the enmity of the Egyptians, +among whom you have cast your lot?'</p> + +<p>'Well, my lord,' said the renegade, after a pause, +'I will be frank. I expect my share of the spoil; and, +besides, I see very clearly that this army of pilgrims +is likely to conquer Egypt, in spite of all the resistance +sultans and emirs may make; and, at such a +time, I would fain have some powerful lord among +the conquerors to befriend me.'</p> + +<p>'Ha!' exclaimed Longsword, smiling grimly,'I am +now convinced.'</p> + +<p>'Of what, noble earl?'</p> + +<p>'Either that I must have the caravan or your +head.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>CAPTURE OF A CARAVAN.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>WHILE King Louis lay at Damietta, awaiting the +arrival of Crusaders from France and Syria, ere +venturing to march into Egypt, the utmost disorder +began to prevail in the camp. The armed pilgrims, +left to inactivity in a delightful climate, under a +bright sky, and surrounded by beautiful scenery, +appeared once more to forget the oaths they had +taken, and indulged in still worse riot and debauchery +than when they wintered in Cyprus. Gambling was +their daily occupation; and the rattle of the dice-box +was constantly heard through the camp. And men +with the Cross of Christ upon their shoulders had +the name of the devil continually on their tongues. +Nor was this the worst. Vice reigned all around in its +grossest form; and the saint-king complained mournfully +to the Lord of Joinville, that, within a stone's-throw +of his own pavilion, houses of infamous repute +were kept by his personal attendants.</div> + +<p>At the same time, the jealousy between the French +and English grew more and more intense, and threatened +disastrous consequences. In vain did Louis +exert his influence to restrain the insolence of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +countrymen. The English were constantly reminded +of their inferiority as a nation, and exposed to such +insults as it was difficult to brook. Bitter taunts and +insinuations of cowardice were unhesitatingly used to +mortify the island warriors; and men who had disobeyed +their king's mandate, and forfeited lands and +living to combat the Saracens, were, day by day, driven +nearer the conclusion that they would ere long be +under the necessity of drawing their swords against +their fellow-soldiers of the Cross.</p> + +<p>Of all the French Crusaders, however, none were so +foolishly insolent as Robert, Count of Artois, brother +of King Louis. From a boy the French prince had +been remarkable for the ferocity of his temper, and +had early signalised himself by throwing a cheese at +the face of his mother's chivalrous admirer, Thibault +of Champagne. For some reason or other, the Count +of Artois conceived a strong aversion to the Earl of +Salisbury, and treated Longsword with the utmost +insolence. And, though the Earl only retaliated by +glances of cold contempt, it was known that his patience +was wearing away, and it was feared that there +would yet be bloodshed.</p> + +<p>'By my father's sword!' said he, speaking partly to +himself, partly to Walter Espec, one day after returning +to his tent, 'I fear me that my spirit will not +much longer brook the reproaches of that vain prince. +Even this day, as he spoke, my hand stole to the hilt +of my sword; and I panted to defy him to mortal +combat on the spot.'</p> + +<p>'My lord,' replied Walter, gravely and cautiously, +'I perceived that, albeit striving to be calm, you felt<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +your ancestral blood boiling in your veins. And, in +truth, I marvel not that such should have been the +case; and yet——</p> + +<p>'And yet——Well, speak freely. I listen.'</p> + +<p>'Well, my lord,' continued Walter, 'I was about +to say that it seemed to me the part of a wise man, +and one so renowned in arms, not to deign to answer +a fool according to his folly.'</p> + +<p>'Doubtless you are right,' replied the earl. 'And +sinful, I feel, and calculated to provoke God's vengeance, +would it be to draw the sword against one +marked with the Cross, and engaged, like ourselves, in +this holy war. Nevertheless, my patience may come +to an end, as the patience of better men has done in +such cases. However, a truce to such talk for the present; +and see that, at daybreak, this renegade is ready +to guide us on our expedition after the caravan; for I +am weary of inactivity, and eager for change of scene.'</p> + +<p>Accordingly, preparations for the expedition were +made; and, next morning, Salisbury and his knights +dashed away from Damietta to intercept the caravan +that was reported to be on its way to Alexandria. +For a time they waited patiently at a place where it +was expected to pass. But this mode of spending +time was not much to the taste of men whose spirits +were raised by the novelty of everything around. +Panting for action, Longsword left Walter Espec +with a band of horse and Beltran the renegade to +keep watch, and, at the head of his knights, went +off in quest of adventure.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 285px;"> +<img src="images/illus_099.png" width="285" height="400" alt=""I cannot but think," said Walter, "our post is one of danger, if the guards of this caravan are so numerous as reported. Nevertheless, it shall never be told that, for fear of odds, I retreated from a post which I had been entrusted to maintain."—p. 99." title=""I cannot but think," said Walter, "our post is one of danger, if the guards of this caravan are so numerous as reported. Nevertheless, it shall never be told that, for fear of odds, I retreated from a post which I had been entrusted to maintain."—p. 99." /> +<span class="caption">"I cannot but think," said Walter, "our post is one of danger, if the guards of this caravan are so numerous as reported. Nevertheless, it shall never be told that, for fear of odds, I retreated from a post which I had been entrusted to maintain."—p. 99.</span> +</div> + +<p>Hours passed; evening fell and deepened into +night; and still neither the caravan nor the warriors<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +who had determined to capture it made their appearance; +and Walter and the renegade, for different +reasons, began to entertain considerable alarm. As +morning approached, however, one point was explained. +In fact, a spy employed by Beltran reached +the rendezvous, with intelligence that the Earl's intention +to attack the caravan having been suspected, +had caused the delay; but that, being aware that +he was out of the way, its guards were preparing to +hasten forward at dawn of day, confidently hoping to +pass without being assailed, or to beat down any +opposition that might be offered to its progress.</p> + +<p>'On my faith,' said Walter, as he learned how +matters were, 'I cannot but think our post is one of +danger, if the guards of this caravan are so numerous +as reported. Nevertheless, it shall never be +told that, for fear of odds, I retreated from a post +which I had been entrusted to maintain.' And he +proceeded to place his men in such a position that +they might elude the observation of the Saracens +till close at hand, and then rush out and take the +guards of the caravan by surprise.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, day was breaking; and, in the distance, +Walter and his companions could descry the caravan, +apparently guarded by a strong force: and +gradually the white turbans and green caftans and +long spears became more and more distinct. It +was clear that, in the event of Salisbury not returning +in time, Walter would have to fight against great +odds; and the return of the earl in time to aid him +now appeared so improbable that the squire ceased +even to hope for his banners, and resolved to take<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +what fortune might be sent him. Suddenly, however, +a sound—a whisper on the breeze, and the +heavy tread of horses—reached his ears; and, gazing +round, he descried a body of horsemen approaching +in the opposite direction from which the caravan came.</p> + +<p>'Now, may the saints be praised, and may we be +for ever grateful! exclaimed Walter, with a joyful +heart, as he closely examined the banner that approached; +'for here come my Lord of Salisbury and +his men of might.'</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the Earl reached the spot, and, +rapidly comprehending the situation of affairs, prepared +for action. But there was hardly occasion to +strike a blow. No sooner did the English move +towards the caravan, and no sooner had the Saracens +an opportunity of judging what manner of men their +assailants were, than they halted in surprise, and +gave way to terror; and when the Earl, on his bay +charger, spurred forward, shouting his battle-cry, +they only waited long enough to discharge a shower +of arrows, and then fled like hares before the hounds. +Routed in every direction, they left the caravan to +its fate; and the English, pausing from the fray, found +themselves in possession of oxen, buffaloes, camels, +mules, and asses, laden with gold and silver, and +silks and paintings.</p> + +<p>'And now for Damietta!' said Longsword; 'for this +is in truth a rich prize; and let us not risk the loss +of it by loitering on the way.'</p> + +<p>And without waste of time—for a rescue was not +impossible—they secured their booty, and marched +with what speed they could towards Damietta.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Sir squire,' said Lord Robert de Vere, riding up +to Walter Espec, whose conduct Longsword had commended, +'your position in the earl's absence was +not quite so pleasant as a bed of roses.'</p> + +<p>'In truth, my lord,' replied Walter, thoughtfully, +'now that the danger is over, I cannot but deem +that you came just in time to save us from death or +captivity.'</p> + +<p>'And you marvelled that we tarried so long?'</p> + +<p>'Much,' replied Walter; 'and had given up all +hope of your return. However,' added he, 'I perceive +that your time was by no means wasted.'</p> + +<p>'You speak truly,' said De Vere. 'Never were +men more successful in an adventure. By accident, +we found ourselves hard by the castle of some +wealthy Saracen, and determined to seize it; so, +overcoming all resistance, we took it by storm, and +found therein much booty, and a bevy of Saracen +ladies; and, having given them to understand that +they were captives of our swords and lances, we are +carrying them to Damietta.'</p> + +<p>'On my faith!' said Walter, laughing, 'Fortune +seems to bestow her favours liberally on the pilgrims +from England. No saying what great exploits my +Lord of Salisbury and his knights may yet perform! +One day we seize a castle and a caravan; another +day it may be a kingdom.'</p> + +<p>'And yet,' observed De Vere, the tone of his voice +suddenly changing as he spoke, 'I am seldom in solitude +without experiencing a vague feeling that calamity +is impending.'</p> + +<p>Now this adventure, successful as it appeared,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +involved the English Crusaders in serious troubles. +When Salisbury, on his bay charger, rode into +Damietta, with the captive Saracen ladies and the +captured caravan, the French were moved with envy, +and did not fail to express their sentiments in strong +language. Perhaps the English did not bear their +good fortune so meekly as they might have done. In +any case, the French grew more and more exasperated; +and at length the quarrel reached such a +stage that the French, availing themselves of superior +numbers, had recourse to violence, and forcibly +carried off part of the booty which, at great peril +and with some labour, Longsword and his men had +won.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>A COUNCIL OF WAR.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>ON the morning after the return of the Earl of +Salisbury to Damietta, and the violent proceedings +of the French Crusaders against the English +companions of their expedition, King Louis summoned +a council of war to deliberate on the measures +most likely to lead to the conquest of Egypt—the +grand object of the saintly monarch's ambition.</div> + +<p>By this time arrivals from various quarters had +swelled the army that, under the banner of St. Denis, +lay encamped at Damietta. Thither, under the +grand masters of their orders, had come the Templars +and the Hospitallers, whose discipline and +knowledge of the East rendered them such potent +allies. Thither had come the Duke of Burgundy, who +had passed the winter in the Morea; and the Prince +of Achaia, who forgot the perils surrounding the +Latin empire of Constantinople, in his eagerness +to combat the Moslem on the banks of the Nile; +thither, recovered from their fright, had come the +Crusaders whose vessels the storm had driven on the +Syrian coast; and thither, with the <i>arrière ban</i> of +France, Alphonse, Count of Poictiers—'one of that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +princely quaternion of brothers which came hither +at this voyage, and exceeded each other in some +quality—Louis the holiest, Alphonse the subtlest, +Charles the stoutest, and Robert the proudest.' +No fewer than sixty thousand men—twenty thousand +of whom were cavalry—-were now encamped +around the oriflamme; and with such an army, led +by such chiefs, the saint-king would have been more +than mortal if he had not flattered himself with the +hope of accomplishing something great, to be recorded +by chroniclers and celebrated by minstrels.</p> + +<p>And the princes and nobles assembled to hold a +council of war; and Louis, with his crown on his +brow, took his place to preside, with that serene +dignity which distinguished him. But, ere the proceedings +began, the Earl of Salisbury rose, and intimated +his desire to address the king on a subject of +great importance. Louis immediately signified consent; +and the earl, raising his hand to ensure +silence, proceeded with a calm but resolute air:—</p> + +<p>'Sire,' said he, 'I crave your pardon, and that of +the princes and noble warriors here assembled, for +trespassing upon their time. But I have that to +state which demands your attention and interference, +inasmuch as it nearly concerns the safety and welfare +and honour of the army of pilgrims, of which you +are the recognised chief. Sire,' continued the earl, +'however others may plead ignorance of the circumstances, +you, at least, are fully informed and well +aware that, in taking the Cross, and coming from a +distant land to aid you in the recovery of the Holy +Sepulchre, I made sacrifices of no ordinary kind.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +My doing so exposed me to the wrath of King Henry, +my kinsman and liege lord, who took from me my +earldom and all my substance. This, however, he +did judicially, not in his anger, or any violence of +self-will; and I do not blame him. But I came +hither with my countrymen, and we have fought as +faithfully for God's cause as any man in your army. +Nevertheless we have been exposed to insults and +injuries which brave men cannot long tolerate. The +chief offender is your brother, the Count of Artois. +I lay my complaint before you, and I ask you to +judge between us. I promise to abide by your +decision, and, if I am found to be in the wrong, to +render every satisfaction for my fault. So help me +God, and good St. George!'</p> + +<p>Louis listened with attention to the earl's speech. +Indeed, the grandeur of Longsword's aspect, and his +eloquence, so frank and so manly, produced a strong +impression both on the king and the assemblage, +and many of the French, notwithstanding their +prejudices, murmured approbation.</p> + +<p>'This English earl,' said they, 'speaks words of +truth and soberness, and he asks nothing more than +the justice that ought not to be denied to the meanest +man in the army of pilgrims.'</p> + +<p>Louis, however, paused, and appeared to be in +extreme perplexity.</p> + +<p>'William Longsword,' he said, at length, 'you +have spoken boldly; and I do not deny that you +have spoken the truth. The Lord, who is ignorant +of nothing, is aware of the injuries you have suffered. +But what can I do? You know how serious an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +affair it would be for me to offend any of my nobles +in the position in which I now am, and it therefore +becomes you to exercise the patience becoming a +soldier of the Cross.'</p> + +<p>And now the Count of Artois started up, his face +flushed and his limbs trembling with rage:</p> + +<p>'King,' exclaimed he, in accents of menace, 'what +mean you by the words you have spoken? Do you +defend this Englishman and take part with him +against Frenchmen, who are of your own country +and kindred?'</p> + +<p>The countenance of Louis expressed more annoyance +than he was in the habit of exhibiting.</p> + +<p>'Now, Longsword,' said he, turning with an imploring +look to the earl, 'you see the position of +affairs, and how easily a quarrel might arise; and +God forbid it should occur in an army of Christians. +At such a crisis it is necessary to endure much for +the sake of Christendom.'</p> + +<p>'Sire,' exclaimed Longsword, giving way to his +indignation, 'if this is the only answer you can give +to my complaint, I advise you to call yourself no +longer a king; since you have no longer the privilege +of being obeyed, or of administering justice, or +punishing offenders.' And rising with a dignity +which awed most of those present, he left the +council.</p> + +<p>'Frenchmen,' said Louis, reproachfully, 'why do +you persecute this man? What madness excites you?'</p> + +<p>'I do it,' cried the Count of Artois, 'because I +dislike the tailed English, and because I think the +army of Crusaders would be well purged of them.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> + +<p>But none present ventured to give the count the +support he seemed to expect; and the wise and +prudent bent their brows, and intimated their disapprobation.</p> + +<p>'The matter is too serious to be lightly spoken of,' +said they, significantly; 'and this dispute is a sad +presage of future events; and well will it be if the +anger of the Most High is not provoked by such +offences.'</p> + +<p>'And now,' said Louis, anxious to drop the subject, +'let us to the business on which we assembled +to deliberate. Let us consult on the line of march, +and on the measures to be taken for completing the +conquest of Egypt.'</p> + +<p>'Sire,' said John de Valery, a baron, whose probity +and courage were the admiration of the army, +'it seems to me that the best and safest policy is to +undertake the siege of Alexandria. That city has a +commodious port, where the fleet could find shelter, +and where munitions and provisions could be procured +with facility. My voice, therefore, is for +marching to Alexandria.'</p> + +<p>Many of those whose experience in war was +greatest—among whom were the Master of the Temple +and the Master of the Hospital—-echoed John de +Valery's opinion.</p> + +<p>'For my part,' said the Count of Artois, with his +characteristic rashness, 'I dislike timid counsels. +Why not at once attack Cairo, which is the capital +of Egypt? When you wish to kill the serpent,' +added he, 'you ought always to endeavour to crush +his head. Then, I say, let us on to Cairo.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> + +<p>A warm and somewhat angry discussion ensued; +and Louis, having given his opinion in favour of +marching to Cairo, the project was adopted: and it +was resolved to leave Queen Margaret, with the +Countesses of Artois, Poictiers, and Anjou, at +Damietta, to send the fleet with provisions and +engines of war up the Nile, and then to march with +banners displayed along the banks of the river.</p> + +<p>'Gentlemen,' said Louis, as he dismissed the +council, 'I feel assured that we shall have no reason +to repent adopting the bolder of the projects discussed +this day; for, with an army of sixty thousand +men, and the blessing of God on our endeavours, I +see no reason to despair of accomplishing something +great against the enemies of Christ.'</p> + +<p>'Sire,' replied John de Valery, 'may God grant +that your hopes be realised.'</p> + +<p>And the nobles and princes separated to make the +necessary preparations for marching to Cairo.</p> + +<p>Little did they foresee the terrible circumstances +under which many of them were to reach that city.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>FACE TO FACE.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>WHILE the Crusaders were preparing to leave +Damietta, march up the Nile, and attack +Cairo, Melikul Salih, after struggling desperately +with the great destroyer, yielded to his fate, and +breathed his last at Mansourah. The death of the +sultan was regarded by the emirs as most untimely; +for his son, Touran Chah, was then in Mesopotamia, +and they were apprehensive of the most serious +troubles. At this crisis, however, a woman, whose +great ability enabled her to comprehend the emergency +and to deal with it, suggested measures for +averting the ruin with which the empire of Egypt +was menaced.</div> + +<p>Her name was Chegger Eddour, and she is said to +have been an Armenian. She had originally been +brought to Cairo as merchandise, and purchased by +Melikul Salih as a slave. But her wit and beauty +won the sultan's heart, and he became so enamoured +that he elevated her to the position of favourite +sultana, and carried her about with him wherever he +went. One son whom she had by the sultan died +young. Nevertheless her influence daily increased;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +and the Arabian historians, while eloquent in praise +of her courage, agree in saying, that 'no woman +surpassed her in beauty, and no man excelled her in +genius.'</p> + +<p>No sooner did Melikul Salih depart this life, than +Chegger Eddour assembled the principal emirs at +Mansourah, and made them acknowledge Touran +Chah as sultan. Moreover, she impressed upon them +the necessity of concealing the death of her husband +till the arrival of his successor. The policy she recommended +was adopted. Orders were still issued +in Melikul Salih's name; the Mamelukes still +guarded the gates of the palace as if he had been +living; and prayers for his recovery were still offered +up in the mosques, where the Moslems worshipped. +All these precautions, which were the work of the +sultana, were skilfully taken, and for a time the +Saracens hoped that Melikul Salih might yet recover +from his malady, and save them from the foe +by whom they were threatened.</p> + +<p>Ere long, however, suspicion was aroused, and it +became more and more difficult to conceal the truth. +Of itself this was sufficient to create consternation; +but, at the same time, rumour brought to Mansourah +intelligence that the French, having left Damietta, +and marched in hostile array along the banks of the +Nile, had reached Pharescour; and the approach +of the Crusaders converted the consternation into +panic, which rapidly extended its influence to Cairo. +Every cheek grew pale; and the Egyptians exhibited +such anxiety and terror as had never before been +felt in their cities.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> + +<p>At this crisis, Fakreddin, to whom the sultana +had entrusted the command of the Egyptian army, +took measures to reanimate his countrymen with +courage and confidence, and called upon them to +hazard their lives freely for their religion.</p> + +<p>'In the name of God, and Mahomet his prophet,' +said the emir, 'hasten, great and small—the cause of +God has need of your arms and of your wealth; the +Franks—Heaven curse them!—are arrived in our +country, with their standards and their swords. They +wish to obtain possession of our cities, and to ravage +our provinces. What Mussulman can refuse to +march against them, and avenge the glory of Islamism?'</p> + +<p>But, at Cairo and Mansourah, the Egyptians only +answered with sighs and groans; and, at first, +Fakreddin's appeal failed to produce the effect he +intended. The emir, however, was not dismayed. +Indeed, he showed a courage worthy of the fame he +had won by his military exploits, and gradually +rallied the more courageous of his countrymen +around him. Marching from Mansourah, he encamped +at Djedilé, on the side of the canal known +as the Achmoun, which has a deep bed and steep +banks; and halted with the Nile on his left and the +city in his rear.</p> + +<p>'Here,' said he, addressing his men, 'I await the +invaders. Be brave; we will yet avenge Islamism; +and on Sebastian's-day I will dine in the scarlet tent +of the French king.'</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the Crusaders continued their march, +and they soon approached Mansourah. At this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +point, however, their progress was arrested by two +obstacles—the canal of Achmoun, and the army of +Fakreddin.</p> + +<p>'Who is the leader of that army?' asked King +Louis, as he looked earnestly across the canal to +where the Saracens were encamped.</p> + +<p>'Sire,' answered one of his knights, 'it is Fakreddin, +the emir, who fled from Damietta; but who, +nevertheless, as I learn, does not hesitate to boast +that it is his intention to dine in your red tent on +St. Sebastian's-day.'</p> + +<p>'Does the emir intend to dine in my tent on St. +Sebastian's-day?' said Louis, mildly; 'however, I will +take good care to prevent him.'</p> + +<p>'In truth, sire,' said the knight, smiling, 'I hold +that you are much more likely to dine in the sultan's +palace.'</p> + +<p>'Be that as it may,' replied the king, 'one thing +is certain. We and our foes are now face to face.'</p> + +<p>And so they were. Face to face, separated only +by the canal Achmoun, Christian and Moslem, +headed by the King of France and the Emir Fakreddin, +lay encamped and awaiting a favourable +opportunity to fight, and to conquer or die for their +countries and religions.</p> + +<p>And it speedily appeared that face to face they +were for some time likely to remain.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>DELAY AND DANGER.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>IT was January 1250, and King Louis, at the head +of the Crusaders, was still on the banks of the +Achmoun. But it was not from reluctance to prosecute +their enterprise that the armed pilgrims submitted +to delay. The aspect of the country through +which they had passed on their way from Damietta +had not been such as to diminish their ambition to +be conquerors. It cannot be doubted that the fertility +of the land of the Pharaohs must have made +them more and more eager to become its masters.</div> + +<p>In truth, there cannot be a more delightful sight +than Egypt at either of two seasons of the year. +Ascend some mountain in the month of July or +August, when the Nile has risen, and you behold a +vast sea, in which appear numerous towns and villages, +with causeways leading from place to place, +the whole interspersed with groves and fruit-trees, +of which the tops are only visible, and bounded by +woods and mountains. But it is the peculiarity of +the Nile, unlike other rivers, which, in overflowing +lands, wash away and exhaust their vivific moisture, +that its waters serve to fatten and enrich the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +soil. Accordingly, ascend the same mountain in +January or February, when the waters have subsided +and the husbandman has done his work, and +the country is like one beautiful meadow, dotted +with flocks and herds, covered with crops of corn, +enamelled with flowers, and perfumed with the +blossoms of oranges and lemons.</p> + +<p>Nor, considering the marvellous history of Egypt, +could the imaginations of the Crusaders be otherwise +than fascinated by the prospect of looking with their +own eyes on its cities, its pyramids, its obelisks, its +mummy pits, and all the relics of its ancient and +mysterious civilisation. Persians, Macedonians, +Romans, and Saracens, had come hither before them +as conquerors. But it may be doubted whether the +warriors of Cambyses, or Alexander, or the Cæsars, +or Omar, felt a more thorough confidence in their +own prowess and destiny, than did the warriors who +marched from Damietta under the banner of St. +Denis.</p> + +<p>It was certainly mortifying to men in so elate a +mood to have their progress arrested by a canal; +and, in fact, the French warriors seem to have been +startled out of their senses by its steep banks and +deep bed. At all events, they, instead of looking for a +ford, which was certainly the most natural way of +getting over their difficulty, commenced the construction +of a causeway.</p> + +<p>Now, Fakreddin no sooner observed that the Crusaders +were at work, than he perceived his advantage, +and vowed that the causeway should never be completed; +and, while workmen, protected by machines<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +of war and wooden castles, were occupied with its +construction, the Saracens spared no pains to retard +the operations. As fast as the Crusaders heaped up +the sand and stones, the Saracens dug away the +earth in front, thus removing the opposite bank to a +greater distance; and, moreover, they incessantly +showered arrows and javelins at the workmen. +Every day brought fresh annoyances; and every day +the Saracens became more audacious in their attacks. +Every night brought fresh surprises; and, in the +conflicts which took place, the Crusaders had not +always the best of the struggle.</p> + +<p>'A large body of Turks,' says Joinville, 'made an +attack on the Count of Poictiers and me. But be +assured they were very well received. It was well for +them that they found their way back as they came; +but they left behind them great numbers of slain.'</p> + +<p>'One night the Turks brought an engine, called +by them <i>la perriere</i>, a terrible engine to do mischief, +and placed it opposite the chas-chateils, which Sir +Walter Curel and I were guarding. From this +engine they flung such quantities of Greek fire, +that it was the most horrible sight I ever witnessed. +When my companion, the good Sir Walter, saw this +shower of fire, he cried out, "Gentlemen, we are all +lost without remedy; for should they set fire to our +chas-chateils we must be burnt, and if we quit our +post we are for ever dishonoured; from which, +therefore, I conclude that no one can possibly save +us from this peril but God, our benignant creator. +I therefore advise all of you, whenever they throw +any of this Greek fire, to cast yourselves on your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +hands and knees and cry for mercy to our Lord, in +whom alone resides all power."</p> + +<p>'As soon, therefore, as the Turks threw their fires, +we flung ourselves on our hands and knees as the +wise man had advised; and, this time, they fell +between our two cats, into a hole in front, which +our people had made to extinguish them; and they +were instantly put out by a man appointed for that +purpose.</p> + +<p>'Each time that our good king, St. Louis, heard +them make these discharges of fire, he cast himself +on the ground, and with extended arms, and eyes +turned to the heavens, cried with a loud voice to our +Lord, and shedding heavy tears, said—"Good Lord +God, preserve thou me, and all thy people:" and, believe +me, his sincere prayers were of great service to +us. Every time the fire fell near us he sent one of +his knights to know how we were, and if the fire had +hurt us. One of the discharges from the Turks fell +beside a chas-chateil, guarded by the men of the Lord +of Courtenay, struck the bank of the river in front and +ran on the ground toward them, burning with flames. +One of the knights of his guard instantly came to me, +crying out, "Help us, my lord, or we are burnt; for +there is a long train of Greek fire, which the Saracens +have discharged, that is running straight for our castle."</p> + +<p>'We immediately hastened thither, and good need +was there, for as the knight had said, so it was. We +extinguished the fire with much labour and difficulty; +for the Saracens, in the meantime, kept up so brisk +a shooting from the opposite bank, that we were +covered with arrows and bolts.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> + +<p>All this time Fakreddin was diligent in procuring +what intelligence he could as to the position and plans +of the Crusaders. This, however, was not an easy business. +Indeed, no intelligence on such subjects could +be obtained, save from captives, and the emir, therefore, +offered a high reward for every Frank brought +to his tent. But the Crusaders, taught by experience, +had become marvellously vigilant, and showed a +decided aversion to be captured. A Saracen, however, +who was an expert swimmer, vowed not to be +baffled, and performed an exploit, which Arabian +chroniclers, while omitting much more important +events, have carefully recorded.</p> + +<p>It seems that this Saracen, having determined to +carry a Christian as captive to Fakreddin's tent, and +claim the reward, fell upon a somewhat whimsical +plan for accomplishing his object. Having scooped +out a melon, and thrust his head into the cavity, he +threw himself into the canal, and swam down the +stream in such a way that the melon appeared to float +in the water. The trick succeeded in attracting the +attention of the Crusaders, and as the melon was +passing that part of the bank where the Lord of +Joinville was encamped, there was much excitement +among his men.</p> + +<p>'Let us catch the melon,' cried one.</p> + +<p>'Who is bold enough to make the attempt?' asked +another.</p> + +<p>'On my faith,' said a squire, laughing, 'I see no +danger to daunt the most timid.'</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 286px;"> +<img src="images/illus_120.png" width="286" height="400" alt="Scarcely, indeed, had he stretched forward his hand, when he found himself seized by the Saracen, and dragged forcibly away in the direction of the camp on the opposite bank.—p. 118." title="Scarcely, indeed, had he stretched forward his hand, when he found himself seized by the Saracen, and dragged forcibly away in the direction of the camp on the opposite bank.—p. 118." /> +<span class="caption">Scarcely, indeed, had he stretched forward his hand, when he found himself seized by the Saracen, and dragged forcibly away in the direction of the camp on the opposite bank.—p. 118.</span> +</div> + +<p>As he spoke, the squire, doffing his upper garments, +rushed into the water, and, striking out, grasped at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +the melon. But the adventure did not end so pleasantly +as he had anticipated. Scarcely, indeed, had +he stretched forward his hand, when he found himself +seized by the Saracen, and dragged forcibly away in +the direction of the camp on the opposite bank.</p> + +<p>At first the Crusaders could hardly believe their +eyes. But there was no mistake about it. Their +comrade was gone, and a prisoner in the hands of the +Saracens; and, as they considered what might be his +fate, they raised such shouts of alarm, that their lord +was attracted to the spot.</p> + +<p>'In St. Denis' name,' said Joinville, after hearing +sufficient to be aware of what had occurred, 'tell me, +I pray you, who among my fellows has met with +this mishap?'</p> + +<p>'In truth, my lord,' replied one of the knights, +'it is the English squire who took service with you +at Damietta.'</p> + +<p>'May the God of his fathers protect him!' exclaimed +Joinville, somewhat sadly; 'as matters are, +we can do nothing in his behalf.'</p> + +<p>And who was the squire, who had entered the +service of Joinville at Damietta, and afterwards been +taken prisoner by the Saracens?</p> + +<p>It was one of the brothers-in-arms. It was Guy +Muschamp.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>THE CAPTIVE.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>AT the time when Guy Muschamp was dragged +away as a captive to the camp of the Saracens +at Djedilé, the emir Fakreddin sat in his pavilion. +It was a marvellous tent, in the centre of the camp, +and formed so as to resemble a fortified city, being +divided into streets, flanked with towers, and furnished +with everything likely to contribute to the +luxury of an oriental. In an apartment, ornamented +with gold and gems, the emir sat, face to face with a +dark-browed Saracen chief, and playing at chess. But +the game did not by any means monopolise the attention +of the persons engaged in it; for the companion +of the emir was no less celebrated a person than +Bibars Bendocdar, the chief of the Mamelukes; and +between him and Fakreddin there was much discussion +as to the best mode of dealing with the enemies +who menaced the empire with ruin.</div> + +<p>And who was Bibars Bendocdar? It is necessary +that we should learn, in order to comprehend the +events that were ere long to startle and terrify the +nations of Christendom.</p> + +<p>At the time when Louis, King of France, undertook<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +his Crusade, it was the custom, when two eastern +potentates went to war, for the conqueror to sell the +subjects of the vanquished enemy as slaves; and +many of these, bought by merchants, were carried to +Egypt, and sold to the sultan, who had them trained +from boyhood to serve him as soldiers. Carefully +were these young captives reared; and, when their +beards began to grow, they were taught to draw the +bow and wield the sword. After becoming expert in +military exercises, they were admitted into that +famous body, which Saladin the Great had instituted, +and known as Mamelukes. Their privileges were +many. They were highly favoured by the sultan, +wearing his emblazonments of pure gold, only adding +bars of vermilion, with birds or roses or griffins for +difference, and acting as his body-guard in time of +war, and watching over his safety while he slept.</p> + +<p>It seems that Bibars Bendocdar was originally +brought to Egypt as a slave, and, in course of time, +enrolled as one of the Mamelukes. As such he rose +rapidly. His ambition was intense; and, being both +able and unscrupulous, he had no reason to despair +of his ambition being one day gratified. No position, +indeed, could be more favourable to a man eager to +emerge from obscurity to eminence, than that which +he occupied; and he not only succeeded in winning +the confidence of the sultan, but contrived to insinuate +himself into the good graces of the soldiers. +In truth, this with him was no difficult matter. He +had profoundly studied human nature as it was exhibited +around him; and he comprehended, above all +things, the arts by which the hearts of fighting men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +are gained and retained, and the arts also by which +military adventurers elevate themselves to supremacy +in a state.</p> + +<p>Besides, Bibars Bendocdar had other qualities +likely to render him a formidable foe or a dangerous +rival. He was skillful as a leader in war, courageous +in conflict, cruel in the hour of victory, and remarkable +for his penetration, sagacity, and activity. +Moreover, he professed great faith in the Mahometan +religion, and had great faith also in his own destiny. +Such was the man who now watched events with the +eagerness of a gambler, and who recognised, not +without satisfaction, the danger and disorder, from +the bosom of which a leader of courage and audacity +might, by rekindling enthusiasm and restoring order, +elevate himself to power. He was about to prove +himself one of the most formidable foes whom the +soldiers of the Cross had ever been under the necessity +of encountering.</p> + +<p>Into the presence of the Emir Fakreddin and +Bibars Bendocdar young Guy Muschamp, drenched +and agitated, was carried. Alarmed as he well +might be, the squire exhibited a dauntless air and +presented a bold front. In fact, his demeanour was +such that the Saracen chiefs exchanged glances of +surprise.</p> + +<p>'Who are you?' asked Fakreddin.</p> + +<p>'My name is Muschamp, and I am a subject of +the King of England.'</p> + +<p>'And what brought you to Egypt?'</p> + +<p>'I came to fight for the Holy Sepulchre.'</p> + +<p>'And,' asked Bibars Bendocdar, sternly, 'know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +you not that passage in the Koran which says that +they who make war unjustly shall perish?'</p> + +<p>'Saracen,' replied Guy, proudly, 'an Anglo-Norman +gentleman does not regulate his conduct by the +Koran.'</p> + +<p>'However,' said Fakreddin, waving his hand, 'it +is needful that you answer some questions as to the +army of Franks, and that you answer truly.'</p> + +<p>'Saracen,' replied Guy, resolutely, 'I will not +answer a question on the subject.'</p> + +<p>'Fool!' exclaimed Bibars Bendocdar, impatiently; +'know you not your danger? Know you not that +we can instantly order your head to be struck off?'</p> + +<p>'Doubtless,' replied Guy. 'And, in that case, I die +the death of a martyr, and go straight to paradise.'</p> + +<p>'Infidel!' cried Bibars, loudly; 'you know not of +what you speak. You will have to account for your +faith to the angels Munkir and Nakir.'</p> + +<p>'Munkir and Nakir!' exclaimed Guy, with an air +of perplexity; 'beshrew me if I ever before heard of +their names.'</p> + +<p>'You will know them soon enough, if you act not +more discreetly,' said Bibars; 'for they are the two +angels who interrogate the dead the moment they +are in the grave, saying, "Who is thy lord?" and, +"Who is thy prophet?"'</p> + +<p>'On my faith, Saracen,' said Guy, compassionately, +'I marvel much that a man of your years can credit +such pagan fables.'</p> + +<p>'Dog!' exclaimed Bibars. 'This to my beard! +Ho! there, guards! Strike off this Christian's head, +and cast his carcase to the fishes!'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> + +<p>'No,' said Fakreddin, mildly, 'it is well that he +should have time to reflect. Let him be kept as a +prisoner till the morrow. He will then be more +likely to answer the questions asked of him.'</p> + +<p>Accordingly Guy Muschamp was led from the +presence of the Saracen chiefs and shut up in a +small apartment in the centre of Fakreddin's tent. +The position was the reverse of pleasant; and he +almost gave himself up for lost. Next morning, +however, after he had eaten some food brought him +by the jailer, he was startled, first by a commotion +in the camp, and then by such a noise and tumult +as if all the fiends had come thither from the infernal +regions to fight their battles. Gradually, +through the din, the ear of Guy recognised the clash +of weapons and the rushing of steeds, and his suspense +was agonising. For a time he endeavoured to +make out what was occurring; but this was in vain. +At length the noise ceased; and Guy moved to the +door with the intention of making a desperate effort +to break it open. Somewhat to his surprise, he found +that it did not resist. In fact, the jailer was gone +and the camp deserted.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>PASSING THE ACHMOUN.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>MORE than six weeks had passed since the Crusaders +found their progress arrested by the +Achmoun; and still the causeway by which they +had hoped to pass the canal was not constructed. +Indeed, the workmen had made very little progress +since the first week; and Louis was despairing of +seeing the work brought to a completion, when, +much to his gratification, he learned that there was +a prospect of crossing the canal by the simplest of +all processes.</div> + +<p>On the day when Guy Muschamp was carried off +as a captive, the Constable of France was surprised +by a visit from a Bedouin, and demanded his business. +The Bedouin thereupon offered, for five hundred +golden bezants, to point out a ford by which +the Crusaders might, without danger or difficulty, +cross in safety to the opposite bank. The constable +at once promised the required reward, in the event +of the information proving satisfactory; but it was +not till the money was told down that the Bedouin +conducted him to the spot, and convinced him that +the ford was there. Gladly hastening to Louis, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +constable revealed the means of extricating the +armed pilgrims from their embarrassment; and the +king, assembling the princes and nobles, decided on +leaving the Duke of Burgundy on the Damietta +side with a sufficient force to guard the camp; and +then, mastering their men and mounting their +horses, they at midnight marched along the bank of +the canal to the ford pointed out by the Bedouin, +and awaited the break of day to dash through the +water and move towards Mansourah.</p> + +<p>It was the morning of Tuesday, the 8th of February, +1250—Shrove Tuesday—when the armed +pilgrims, under the auspices of King Louis, halted +on the Damietta side of the Achmoun, and awaited +the signal to pass to that on which Mansourah was +situated. Everything so far had gone quite as +smoothly as could reasonably have been expected. +Some horsemen, indeed, rode too near the margin of +the canal, and, getting on soft and slippery ground, +they and their horses fell in and were drowned. +Among them was Sir John of Orleans, a valiant +knight, who bore the French banner. But this was +a slight misfortune compared with that which the +folly and presumption of one man was preparing for +that ill-starred host.</p> + +<p>At all times, and under all circumstances, the +Count of Artois was one of the most unreasonable +of human beings; and at this moment, so important +to Louis, to France, to the Crusaders, and to the +Christian kingdom of Jerusalem, nothing would +satisfy his ambition but being the first to cross. Not +unaware of his brother's failings, Louis protested;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +but the count persisted; and, promising to wait +with patience on the opposite bank for the main +army, he placed himself at the head of the van, +which was formed of the Templars, the Hospitallers, +and the English Crusaders, and dashed into the +canal.</p> + +<p>Now, at this moment the opposite bank was occupied +by several hundred Saracen horsemen, who +seemed prepared to oppose the landing of the Crusaders. +No sooner, however, did the Saracens perceive +that the Crusaders were fording the canal +safely than they gave way, and fled towards the +camp of the Emir Fakreddin at Djedilé.</p> + +<p>It was then that, in spite of all the warnings he +had received and all the promises he had made, the +Count of Artois gave way to the impetuosity that +was destined to lead to the ruin of the pilgrim army. +At the sight of the flying Saracens, he threw all +discretion to the winds, and, attended by his +governor, an old deaf knight, who held his rein, +pursued the fugitives towards the camp. In vain +the Grand Masters of the Temple and the Hospital +shouted out remonstrances. The count paid no +attention whatever; and the aged knight, who was +too deaf to hear a word, urged on the pursuit, crying +loudly, 'Hurrah! hurrah! Upon them! upon +them!'</p> + +<p>The Saracens who occupied the camp at Djedilé +were panic-stricken; and, supposing that the whole +French army was upon them, fled in confusion +towards Mansourah. But there was one man who +did not fly; and that man was Fakreddin. When<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +the camp was invaded, the emir was in his bath, and +having his beard coloured, after the custom of the +Orientals; but he immediately roused himself, dressed +himself hastily, and, springing on horseback, endeavoured +to rally his troops, and attempted to resist. +Inspired by Fakreddin's example, the Saracens who +had not fled offered a feeble resistance. But it was +unavailing, and they followed the fugitives streaming +towards Mansourah. Fakreddin, however, disdaining +either to fly or yield, continued to struggle bravely; +until, left almost alone, he fell in the midst of his +foes, covered with wounds, and consoling himself, as +his breath went, that his end was glorious, that he +died a martyr for Islamism, and that he would be +conveyed to the banks of the celestial river.</p> + +<p>'By the head of St. Anthony!' exclaimed the +Count of Artois, looking fiercely on Fakreddin's +mangled corpse, 'it was this emir who boasted that +he would dine in the red tent of my lord the king; +but now he will not grumble at a humbler resting-place.'</p> + +<p>'My lord count,' said Salisbury, gravely, 'the +emir, had he been ten times a Saracen, was a brave +man; and let us merit the praises of the valiant by +showing that we know how to honour the memory +of our enemies as well as of our friends.'</p> + +<p>'Amen,' said both the grand masters, in significant +accents.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>THE CARNAGE OF MANSOURAH.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>IT was still early morning, and King Louis was +still on the Damietta side of the Achmoun, +when the Count of Artois, the Earl of Salisbury, and +the Grand Masters of the Temple and the Hospital, +found themselves victors in the camp.</div> + +<p>'Now, gentlemen,' said the Count of Artois, 'let +us forward, and complete the rout of our foes while +affairs prosper in our hands and they are in dismay. +Speed will now avail more than strength; and the +fewer we are the greater will be the honour of a +victory. Forward then, and crush them at a blow!'</p> + +<p>'Forward!' shouted the old deaf knight, who held +the count's rein. 'Hurrah! hurrah! Upon them! +upon them!'</p> + +<p>But the count's companions hesitated, and exchanged +glances of alarm.</p> + +<p>'Noble prince,' said the Master of the Temple, +after a pause, 'I give all praise to your valour; but +I entreat you to be advised, and not to act rashly. +Our men are weary; our horses are wounded; we +are few in number; and we must not overvalue our +victory, or suppose our enemies are vanquished<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +because they have lost a handful of men. Let us, +therefore, return to the king, that we may be +strengthened by his counsel and aid.'</p> + +<p>'In truth,' said the Grand Master of the Hospital, +'we should be foolhardy to attempt aught rashly. +We are in a strange country; and our best instructors +are behind. Let us stay for our lantern and not go +forward in the dark.'</p> + +<p>'Ah!' exclaimed the Count of Artois, swelling with +pride and anger, 'this is ever the way with military +monks. But for the treachery of the Templars, and +the sedition of the Hospitallers, the Holy Land +would long since have been won.'</p> + +<p>'Noble count,' said the Grand Master of the +Temple, reproachfully, 'you do us grievous wrong. +Why should we take the habit of religion, and pass +our lives in a foreign land amid perils and fatigues? +Is it, think you, to overthrow the Church and betray +the cause of Christ, that we abandon our homes +and kindred? However,' added the Grand Master, +waxing wrath, 'let us forward, in God's name, and +try all together the fortunes of battle. Standard-bearer, +unfurl the banner of the Temple. Ha! +Beau-séant! Beau-séant!'</p> + +<p>At this moment the Earl of Salisbury made an +effort to save his comrades from the destruction +on which they were about to rush.</p> + +<p>'My lord,' said he, addressing the Count of Artois, +'I implore you to listen to the wholesome counsel of +the grand masters. They have been long in this +country, and learned by experience the craft as well +as the strength of our foes. We, being strangers,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +are ignorant of the perils; but we know that, as far +as the east is from the west, so far are my ways +different from the ways of the Orientals.'</p> + +<p>'Hearken to this Englishman!' exclaimed the +count, scornfully. 'What cowardice there is in these +English! But their timid counsel suits not us. +Happy should I be if the Christian army were +purged of the English tails!'</p> + +<p>A flush of rage crimsoned the earl's bronzed +cheek, and his eye flashed fire.</p> + +<p>'Now, by my father's sword!' cried he, striving to +be calm, though he literally quivered with indignation, +'this passes human patience! Ho! there, +Lord Robert de Vere, raise my banner; and you, +Count of Artois, lead on, and see if the danger of +death hinders us from following. The touchstone +must try which is gold and which is brass; and I +swear, by good St. George, as I put on my helmet, +that the English knights whom you have taunted +with cowardice will this day penetrate farther in +the ranks of our foes than any warrior of France—be +he prince or paladin—will venture to do.'</p> + +<p>And the dispute having there been terminated, the +Count of Artois and his Crusaders put on their +helmets and mounted their horses. At that +moment the eye of Salisbury alighted on Walter +Espec; and his countenance, which had expressed +the most scornful indignation, suddenly changed, +and expressed something like pity.</p> + +<p>'Boy,' said he, in a low, kindly tone, 'fall back +and wait for the French king. We are rushing on +certain death; and you are too young to die.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Nay, my good lord,' replied Walter, calmly. 'A +man, whether young or old, can die but once: I +would rather fall fighting in the cause of our +Redeemer, and under your banner, than in a less +holy cause and in meaner company.'</p> + +<p>'As you will,' said the earl. 'It shall never be told +that I prevented knight or squire from dying the +death of a martyr.'</p> + +<p>'By the might of Mary! Master Espec,' whispered +Bisset; the English knight, 'were I your age, and +had my choice, certes, I should think twice ere +hazarding life against such odds. Wherefore should +you fall a victim to the madness of my Lord of +Artois, or the pride of my Lord of Salisbury?'</p> + +<p>'On my faith, I know not,' answered Walter, +smiling. 'But this I do know, that a man can die +but once, and that a Christian warrior who falls with +the Cross on his shoulder is understood to win the +crown of martyrdom.'</p> + +<p>'Nevertheless, were I you, and of your years,' +argued Bisset; 'I should little relish the notion of +being killed; for, as the Saracens say, when man +dies there is no hope of his living again; because, as +they add truly, man is not a water-melon; when +once in the ground he cannot grow again.'</p> + +<p>By this time French and Templars and Hospitallers +and English were mounted; and, without +further argument, they dashed towards Mansourah. +At first they encountered no obstacle; and, while +the inhabitants fled in terror along the road to +Cairo, the Count of Artois and his companions, after +destroying one of the gates, so as to secure egress<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +if necessary, penetrated into the city, carrying all +before them; and, reaching the palace of the sultan, +they commenced the work of pillage. But during +this process they were rudely interrupted; for Bibars +Bendocdar perceived the imprudence of which the +Crusaders had been guilty, and suddenly, at the +head of a Saracen army, appeared to give them +battle.</p> + +<p>And now the Crusaders were in a fearful predicament. +Ere they had time to rally, they were fiercely +attacked. From the roofs and windows of the houses +around, the Saracens hurled stones, and poured +heated sand and boiling water. Before them were +the Mamelukes, headed by Bibars Bendocdar, fiery +with fanaticism, and panting for blood. It was a +terrible situation even for brave men; and the very +bravest there felt a thrill of awe and terror.</p> + +<p>'All is lost!' said Salisbury, in a whisper.</p> + +<p>'The King of France may hear of our peril, and +come to our rescue,' suggested Lord Robert de +Vere.</p> + +<p>'No hope of succour,' said Bisset, in a conclusive +tone. 'But let us not droop. We can at least sell +our lives dearly.'</p> + +<p>A brief and painful silence succeeded, while still +upon the Crusaders the Saracens hurled stones and +poured boiling water.</p> + +<p>'Englishmen and friends,' at length said Salisbury, +raising his voice so as to be heard at a distance, 'it +were vain at this moment to deny our peril. But +take courage, my brave companions; and let us not +faint in the hour of adversity. Everything, save<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +dishonour, may be borne by valiant men; and adversity +sheds a light upon the virtues of mankind, +as surely as prosperity casts over them a shade. +Here there is no room for retreat; for our enemies +encompass us about; and to attempt to fly would +be certain death. Be of good cheer, then, and let +the urgency of the case sharpen your valour and +nerve your arms. Brave men should either conquer +nobly, or die with glory; and martyrdom is a boon +which we should accept without reluctance. But, +before we fall, let us, while we live, do what may +avenge our deaths; and, while giving thanks to God +that it is our lot to die as martyrs, let us, in our last +efforts of valour and despair, prove ourselves worthy +soldiers of the Cross.'</p> + +<p>'Earl William,' said the Count of Artois, riding +up, and now conscious of his folly, 'God fights +against us. Resistance is vain, but escape is possible. +Let us consult our safety, and fly while yet our +horses can carry us.'</p> + +<p>'Fly if you will!' answered the earl, scornfully; +'but God forbid that any but liars should ever have +it in their power to tell that my father's son fled +from the face of a Saracen.'</p> + +<p>And now the heavens and the earth seemed to +resound with the noise of horns and enormous kettle-drums; +and, urged on by Bibars Bendocdar, the +Saracens rushed upon their enemies. The plight of +the Crusaders was desperate. But, few as they were +in comparison with the swarming foe, they fought +gallantly and well; and, though wounded and exhausted, +maintained the conflict for hours after the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +flight of the Count of Artois. But fearful in the +meantime was the carnage. Full fifteen hundred +knights had fallen; and of these, three hundred were +of the order of the Temple. Gradually the numbers +diminished, till there remained not a dozen of the +men who had that morning invaded Fakreddin's camp; +and among these were the Earl of Salisbury, Lord +Robert de Vere, the Grand Masters of the Temple and +the Hospital, Bisset the English knight, and Walter +Espec, still unwounded, and fighting as if he bore a +charmed life, and felt invulnerable to javelins or arrows.</p> + +<p>But all possibility of continuing to resist was now +at an end, and every hope of succour had vanished. +Salisbury, resolved to sell his life dearly, faced the +Saracens with desperate valour, and used his battle-axe +with such effect that a hundred Saracens are +said to have fallen that day by his hand. At length +his horse was killed under him; and, after rising to +his feet, and fighting for awhile with disdain, he fell +covered with wounds. Robert de Vere, already +bleeding and exhausted, no sooner saw Salisbury sink +than he wrapped the English standard round his +body, and lay down to die by the great earl's side. +Bisset, Walter Espec, and the two grand masters, +found themselves surrounded by a host of foes, and +defending themselves desperately against every species +of assailant.</p> + +<p>'Alas!' exclaimed the grand masters of the +Temple, 'we are clearly doomed.'</p> + +<p>'I would fain hope not,' answered Bisset, resolutely. +'Our weapons are not willow-wands; we +can cut our way through the pagan rabble.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Shame upon us if we hesitate!' said Walter Espec.</p> + +<p>And drawing close together, with a rush which +for a time bore down opposition, the four survivors +made a stern endeavour to reach the gate,—the axe +of Bisset and the swords of the military monks +doing terrible execution. Twice the Saracens formed +in a mass to prevent their reaching the only gate +which was not closed; as often Bisset, penetrating +singly into the Saracen ranks, dealt death and destruction +to his foes, and opened the way for his +friends; till gradually, having by force of arm overthrown +every obstacle in his path, he reached the +gate, and, followed by the Grand Master of the +Temple, dashed through the opening, with a shout +of defiance at his assailants.</p> + +<p>But the Grand Master of the Hospital and Walter +Espec had not such good fortune as the Templar +and the English knight. Bibars Bendocdar, enraged +at the rumour that some Christians were escaping +from the carnage, hastened to the open gate, and, +with his arrival, every chance vanished. Dragged +from his steed, the grand master was fain to surrender +himself prisoner. Wounded by an arrow and +a javelin, but still struggling to fight his way out, +Walter Espec cut down a Saracen soldier, and, rising +in his stirrups and shouting, 'St. Katherine for +Espec!' made a fierce thrust at Bendocdar. But next +moment he was felled to the ground; he felt that +his blood was flowing fast, and that horsemen were +riding over him; and then he lost all consciousness, +and lay prostrate and insensible among the dead and +the dying.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h3>THE BATTLE.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>NO sooner did Guy Muschamp find the door of his +prison opened, than he rushed out to ascertain +the cause of the tumult to which he was indebted for +liberty, and he discovered that the camp was deserted +and abandoned, save by the wounded and the slain. +However, he hastily donned his steel cap, possessed +himself of a short sword; and having with little +difficulty caught a stray horse, saddled and bridled, +he mounted, and rode forth with the idea of following +the Crusaders, who by this time were disappearing +within the gates of Mansourah.</div> + +<p>Fortunately, however, for Guy, he was not destined +to share the fate of his gallant countrymen +who fell victims to the vain folly of the Count of +Artois. Nevertheless, his danger was great. By +this time the Count of Brittany and a multitude of +warriors were riding towards Mansourah to aid the +Count of Artois; and, as the Saracens who came +out to oppose their progress rapidly spread over the +plain, Guy began to find his position somewhat +perilous, and to give himself up for lost. At that +moment, however, his eye and his ear were attracted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +by the gleaming of spears and the ringing of mail to +a ruined house; and, cantering thither, he found to +his joyful surprise, that the Lord of Joinville and his +knights had taken shelter there, to await the arrival +of the king, who was still engaged in passing the +main body of his army over the Achmoun.</p> + +<p>Nor had they long to wait. As with breathless +anxiety they watched the Saracens, swarming like +bees from their hives, and covering the plain, Louis, +having at length crossed the canal, with sound of +trumpets and clarions, rode up at the head of his +cavalry, and, with a German sword in his hand, +halted on an eminence to survey the field. And neither +in air nor appearance did Louis, at that moment, +look unworthy of the part he was acting as chief of +the pilgrim army. His magnificent armour, his +gilded helmet, and his noble bearing, gave him the +appearance of being taller by the shoulders than +any of his companions. As he reined up his white +charger—the symbol of sovereignty—and, with the +oriflamme displayed before him, endeavoured calmly +to estimate the chances of the conflict, the Lord of +Joinville and his knights, surrounded as they were +with danger, could not but utter exclamations expressive +of admiration.</p> + +<p>'By St. James,' exclaimed Joinville, 'I never in +my life saw a more handsome man under arms.'</p> + +<p>'Certes,' replied one of the knights, 'I could +almost believe that the angel of battles had come to +our aid.'</p> + +<p>While the king was still surveying the combat, that +every moment became more fierce and sanguinary,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +the Constable of France rode up to inform him of the +peril of the Count of Artois.</p> + +<p>'Sire,' said the constable, 'your noble brother is +shut up in Mansourah; and, albeit he and his comrades +hold out gallantly, they must perish if not +aided forthwith.'</p> + +<p>'Well, constable,' answered Louis, 'on to the +rescue, in God's name, and I will speedily follow.'</p> + +<p>The constable, without more words, gave his horse +the spur, and dashed towards Mansourah, whither +the king and his knights also attempted to make +their way. But this was no easy matter. Every +moment the Saracens seemed to increase in numbers; +and the Crusaders, while struggling bravely not to +be overwhelmed by odds, were exposed to terrible +hazard. Louis soon found himself in the thick of +the fight and environed by foes. Nothing seemed to +remain to him but to sell his life dearly; and six +Saracens, rushing forward simultaneously, attempted +to seize his bridle, and take him captive. But, at +that moment, Louis—gentle and saintly as was his +nature—used his German sword with a vigour and +effect, scarcely excelled by Richard Cœur de Lion at +Joppa, when he charged among the Mamelukes of +Saladin, or by Edward Longshanks at Kakhow, when +the sweep of his sword, and the rush of his grey +steed, struck terror into the heart of the host of +Bibars Bendocdar. Down before that short German +sword went turban and caftan; till the French +knights, aware of their king's danger, spurred in to +his rescue, and, with a mighty effort, saved him from +captivity.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> + +<p>And now another attempt was made to reach +Mansourah. But it was too late. All was over with +the brave band who had followed the Count of Artois +into the city; and every moment the aspect of affairs +became more menacing; for Bibars Bendocdar, elate +with his victory within the walls, issued from the +gate, animating his soldiers with the words—'God is +powerful,' and hoping to deal with the French king, +as he had dealt with the French king's brother. +Nor, at first, did it appear that the Crusaders could +escape utter defeat. Not aware what was occurring, +and suddenly attacked by a mighty force led by a +dauntless chief, they were pressed and whirled about +and separated from each other, and forced to encounter +countless odds at every disadvantage. Yet +even in such circumstances the warriors of France +maintained their high reputation for valour; and, as +the combat proceeded and became keener and +keener, many a strong Saracen went to his account.</p> + +<p>On both sides, indeed, great was the display of +personal prowess and courage; but there was no +generalship. Amidst clouds of dust, and under a +glowing sun, Christian and Moslem fought hand to +hand, and steel to steel. Helmet and turban mingled +confusedly in the struggle; while banners rose and +fell, and knights were unhorsed, and saddles emptied. +From Mansourah to Achmoun, and from the Nile to +the ford pointed out by the Bedouin, the ground, +literally covered with combatants, shook with the +rush of their horses, and the sky was rent by the +opposing war-cries of 'Islam! Islam!' and 'Montjoie, +St. Denis!' What with the shouts of the living,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +the shrieks of the dying, and the yells of the Saracens, +as they bore down on their adversaries like +hawks on their prey, all was bloodshed, confusion, +and clamour, and the carnage was such as few men, +who fought on that field and survived it, ever remembered +without a thrill of awe.</p> + +<p>And as the day sped on and the battle continued +to rage all over the plain, and warriors fell in heaps +before and around him, Louis became painfully aware +that Mansourah could not be reached, and that the +Crusaders were no longer fighting to conquer the +Saracens but to save themselves. And there was considerable +danger of Bibars Bendocdar drawing near +to the Achmoun, and cutting off all communication +between the camp of the Duke of Burgundy, and the +Christian army struggling for existence on the plains +of Mansourah. On becoming aware of the danger, the +king decided on falling back towards the canal, and, +with the oriflamme displayed, moved in that direction.</p> + +<p>Unfortunate were the consequences. A report immediately +spread that the king was retreating because +the Saracens were everywhere victorious, and immediately +there was a panic, and several squadrons +disbanded and rushed towards the canal. A terrible +scene followed, and men and horses were drowned +while struggling in the water. Nothing could have +exceeded the disorder and dismay. Louis, indeed, +made strenuous efforts to restore confidence, but his +voice was scarcely heard in the tumult; and he +must have rejoiced when night put an end to the +conflict, and when Bibars Bendocdar retired to +Mansourah, with the determination to attack the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +Crusaders on another day, as the tiger draws back to +make a more terrible spring.</p> + +<p>Repairing to Djédilé, Louis dismounted, and took +possession of the camp which, at daybreak, had been +occupied by the Emir Fakreddin; and when his red +tent was pitched there, the Prior of Rosnay presented +himself, and kissed the king's hand.</p> + +<p>'Sire,' said he, wishing to break the news gently, +'I know not if you have heard tidings of your noble +brother, the Count of Artois?'</p> + +<p>'I know all,' answered Louis, mournfully.</p> + +<p>'Sire,' said the prior, endeavouring to administer +consolation, 'no King of France has ever reaped +such honour as you have done this day. You have +crossed a dangerous river; you have gained a victory; +you have put your enemies to flight; you have captured +their engines of war; and now you are taking +possession of their camp.'</p> + +<p>'May God be praised for all that I have, with His +aid, been able to do in His cause,' said Louis, with a +faltering voice, and tears rolling down his cheeks, as +he entered his pavilion.</p> + +<p>'On my faith, sir prior,' said John de Valery, with +the tone of a man who has a presentiment of coming +calamity, 'I marvel how you can speak of this day's +work as a triumph of our arms. Often have I fought +for victory; but this day I have felt too surely that I +was fighting not for victory but for life.'</p> + +<p>'In truth,' said the Lord of Joinville, who had +joined them, 'I would fain hope for better fortune in +the future; for, call this a victory if you will, such +another victory would be worse than a defeat.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h3>HOW JOINVILLE KEPT THE BRIDGE.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>WHEN the Constable of France informed King +Louis that the Count of Artois was in extreme +peril, and when Louis made an effort to go to the +rescue of his brother—the Lord of Joinville, having +previously left the ruined house, and joined the king, +endeavoured to keep in the royal warrior's company. +But all efforts with this object proved vain. The +Saracens, raising clouds of dust and uttering ferocious +yells as they advanced, came down upon the +Crusaders with a force that was irresistible. The +French were scattered in all directions; and Joinville +was separated from Louis some minutes before the +person of the saintly monarch was in such imminent +danger. But in the meantime the seneschal's band +had been reduced to six persons, including Guy +Muschamp, who adhered with determination to +Joinville's side; and between them and the king, +then struggling to save his liberty, intervened +thousands of Saracens.</div> + +<p>'Impossible for us to make our way through such +a crowd,' said Joinville; 'much better, therefore, will +it be to wheel round and get on the other side of them.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> + +<p>Accordingly they wheeled round, and gained the +bank of the river, and began to descend. But at +this moment the aspect of the field became most +alarming to the armed pilgrims. The Crusaders and +Saracens met on the banks, and many of the French, +attempting to cross and form a junction with the +Duke of Burgundy, were drowned; and the river was +covered with lances, pikes, shields, and horses and +men struggling in vain to save themselves.</p> + +<p>By this time the Lord of Joinville, heading his +knights, had reached a bridge on one of the roads to +Mansourah; and on perceiving the miserable state of +the army he halted.</p> + +<p>'It is better,' said he, after looking round, 'to +remain where we are, and guard this bridge; for, if +we leave it, the Saracens may come and attack the +king on this side, and, if he is assaulted from two +quarters, he will surely be discomfited.'</p> + +<p>Accordingly they posted themselves on the bridge +which was between the canal Achmoun and the +gates of Mansourah, and prepared to defend it +against the Saracens. But such was the danger, that +Joinville's heart, brave as it was, beat with terror, +and he cried aloud for the protection of St. James.</p> + +<p>'Good Lord St. James,' exclaimed he; 'succour me, +I beseech thee, and come to my aid in this hour of +need.'</p> + +<p>It seemed to him and his companions that his +prayer was answered. Almost as he uttered it, the +Count of Soissons, who was his kinsman, appeared +riding past the bridge; and Joinville hastened to +secure his company.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Sir count,' said he; 'I beg you to remain with us +and guard this bridge; for, should it be lost, the +king will have his enemies upon him both in front +and rear.'</p> + +<p>'Willingly, seneschal,' replied the count; and he +placed himself on Joinville's right hand, while a +French knight who was with him took his station +on the left.</p> + +<p>While Joinville and his companions were seated +on their horses, prepared to keep the bridge at all +hazards against all comers, the Saracens made repeated +efforts to drive them from their post. But +they remained firm as rocks. Trusting to accomplish +by stratagem what they could not do by force, the +Saracens attempted to lure them from the spot; and +one stalwart horseman, galloping suddenly forward, +felled one of the French knights with his battle-axe, +and then retreated to his own people, hoping that he +would be followed. But Joinville, who comprehended +the purpose, would not be decoyed, and resolutely +kept his ground, though annoyed and wounded by a +rabble of half-armed Saracens, who incessantly threw +darts, and large stones, and hard clods.</p> + +<p>At length, however, the Saracens began to make +themselves much more formidable, and to discharge +Greek fire, which threatened to do much mischief, +and pressed forward with savage yells.</p> + +<p>'On my faith, we must take order with this +rabble,' said the Count of Soissons, growing angry.</p> + +<p>'As you will,' replied Joinville; and, without +further hesitation, they charged the crowd, put them +to flight, and resumed their post.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> + +<p>But no sooner did the Saracens perceive that the +immediate danger was over, than they turned round, +and, keeping at a safe distance, yelled out defiance.</p> + +<p>'Heed them not, seneschal,' said the Count of +Soissons, who, in the midst of peril, retained all +the gaiety of soul which distinguished the French +chevaliers from the thoughtful Saxon, and the +haughty and somewhat grim Norman. 'Heed them +not. Let this rascal canaille bawl and bray as they +please. By St. Denis, you and I will live to +talk of this day's exploits in the chambers of our +ladies.'</p> + +<p>'May God and good St. James grant it,' said +Joinville, gravely.</p> + +<p>'But who comes hither, and in such a plight?' +asked the Count of Soissons, suddenly, as a Crusader, +mounted on a strong horse, came galloping from the +direction of Mansourah—his face wounded, blood +gushing from his mouth, the reins of his bridle cut, +and his hands resting, as if for support, on his +charger's neck.</p> + +<p>'In truth,' replied Joinville, after examining the +horseman, 'it is the Count of Brittany;' as, closely +pursued by Saracens, the wounded warrior gained +the bridge, and ever and anon turned round and +shouted mockingly to his pursuers.</p> + +<p>'By St. Denis,' exclaimed the count, 'one thing +is certain: he is not afraid of his pursuers.'</p> + +<p>And almost as the Count of Soissons spoke, the +Count of Brittany was followed by two warriors, who +made their way through the Saracens, literally +smiting to the earth all who came in their way.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +Nothing, it seemed, could resist their progress; and +their path was tracked with blood. On they came, +scornfully scattering their foes till they reached the +bridge, when reining up where the Lord of Joinville +was posted, they stopped to take breath, after their +almost superhuman exertions. One had in his hand +a battle-axe; the other a sword. The battle-axe was +stained red with gore; the sword was hacked till it +looked 'like a saw of dark and purple tint.' One +was Bisset, the English knight, the other was the +Grand Master of the Temple. The horses of both +were wounded all over; the helmets of both were +deeply dinted. Bisset's mail was almost hacked +to pieces; the Templar's vestments were torn to +rags, his cuirass pierced, and his eye and face +wounded and bleeding.</p> + +<p>'You bring tidings of woe?' said the Count of +Soissons.</p> + +<p>'Woe, in truth,' answered Bisset; for the grand +master could not even muster voice to speak; 'of all +who rode into Mansourah this morning, not a man, +save ourselves, lives to tell the tale.'</p> + +<p>'And what of the Count of Artois, sir knight?' +asked Joinville.</p> + +<p>'I know not,' replied Bisset, briefly; 'the count +disappeared early, and doubtless died with the comrades +of his jeopardy.'</p> + +<p>'No,' interrupted the Count of Brittany, faintly, +'he was drowned while attempting to save himself +by flight. At least,' added he, 'so I have been told.'</p> + +<p>And in truth, to this day it is somewhat uncertain +what became of Robert, Count of Artois, though the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +most probable account is that, seeing all was lost, +he turned his horse's head, with a vague hope of +reaching the main body of the Crusaders, and, while +attempting to cross one of the branches of the Nile, +sank never more to rise.</p> + +<p>It was about this time that King Louis had moved +towards the Achmoun; and the Constable of France, +with the king's crossbowmen under his command, +just as the sun was setting came to the bridge which +had been so bravely defended.</p> + +<p>'Seneschal,' said he, addressing Joinville, 'you +and your comrades have behaved well in guarding +this bridge; and now, all danger being over in this +quarter, I pray you to accompany the Lord John de +Valery to the king, who is about to go to his +pavilion.'</p> + +<p>And Joinville went as the constable requested; +and while his companions were pursuing their way +towards the king's red pavilion—that pavilion in +which the Emir Fakreddin had boasted he would +dine on the day of St. Sebastian—Guy Muschamp +approached Bisset, the English knight, and entreated +his attention.</p> + +<p>'Sir knight,' said he, 'I would fain enquire if you +know what has befallen the English squire, by name +Walter Espec?'</p> + +<p>'Boy,' replied Bisset, 'I know not what may have +befallen him; but, if I were to hazard a guess, I +should say that he died, and died bravely. I remember +me that he fought to the last; and I hoped +that he was destined to escape, as I did; but I grieve +to say that he failed so to do.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Alas! alas!' said Guy sadly, and he clasped his +hands, as if muttering a prayer for his comrade's +soul; 'woe is me, that I should live to hear that my +brother-in-arms, the good Walter, has fallen.'</p> + +<p>'My brave youth,' urged Bisset, kindly, as he +observed that the boy's face was suffused with tears, +'death has this day been the portion of many thousands +of valiant men; and, for your brother-in-arms, +I can testify for your comfort that he fought to the +last with the courage of a hero, and I doubt not, +that he faced death with the courage of a martyr.'</p> + +<p>'And if we are to give the faith which our fathers +did to the words of holy men,' added Guy, solemnly, +'the souls of all such as fall, fighting for the Cross, +are purified from sin, and admitted straight to Paradise.'</p> + +<p>'By the mass, I have heard priests say so,' replied +Bisset, after a pause, during which he eyed the boy +with evident surprise; 'and mayhap,' continued he, +'in the days of Peter the Hermit, and Godfrey of +Bouillon, such was the case. But, credit me, in +our day, armed pilgrims are guilty of such flagrant +sins during their pilgrimage, and while decked with +the Cross, that I hardly deem them likely to get +access to Paradise on such easy terms.'</p> + +<p>'By St. John of Beverley,' exclaimed the squire, +in great astonishment, 'deem you that matters are +so much changed, sir knight?'</p> + +<p>'So much so,' answered Bisset, shaking his head, +'that seeing, save myself, you are almost the only +Englishman left in this army of pilgrims, I am free +to confess to you my opinion, that for aught we are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +likely to do for the Holy Sepulchre, we might as +well have stayed at home, and hunted, and hawked, +and held our neighbours at feud. On my life, I +have seen enough of this army to feel sure that +Blacas, the troubadour knight, is a wise man, when +on being asked whether he will go to the Holy Land, +answers, that he loves and is beloved, and that he +will remain at home with his ladye love.'</p> + +<p>And already, forgetting his wounds, and his +bruises, his hair-breadth escape, and the terrible +scenes in which he had that day acted a part, the +knight, as he reached the tent of King Louis, and +prepared to dismount, half chanted, half sung, the +lines with which Blacas concludes his simple song:—</p> + +<div class='poem'> +Je ferai ma pénitence,<br /> +Entre mer et Durance,<br /> +Auprès de son manoir.<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE FIRST FRIDAY IN LENT.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>ON the day when the city of Mansourah witnessed +the carnage of the Crusaders under the Count +of Artois, and a great battle shook the plain outside +the walls, the Egyptians experienced by turns fear +and hope, joy and sadness.</div> + +<p>On the morning when the camp at Djédilé was +taken, and the Emir Fakreddin slain, a pigeon +carried intelligence of the disaster to Cairo; and +the Egyptian capital was immediately in consternation. +Believing that the days of Islamism were +numbered, and the empire of the sultan on the +verge of ruin, the inhabitants thought of nothing +but escape from the danger that impended. Many +departed for Upper Egypt, and sorrow reigned in +the city—the inhabitants bewailing their misfortunes, +and crying that the world was coming to an end. A +second pigeon, however, carried thither tidings that +the Count of Artois was defeated and slain; and +Cairo became the scene of joy and rejoicing. Fear +vanished from every face; and the Saracens gratefully +extolled the courage of the Mamelukes, and of +their chief, Bibars Bendocdar.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> + +<p>At the same time, an arrival of great importance +took place at Mansourah. While the battle was +raging on the plain, Touran Chah, the new sultan, +reached the city, and was received with acclamations +by the populace. The emirs, however, regarded the +sultan with some suspicion. Unfortunately, Touran +Chah did not come alone; and the jealousy of the +emirs was aroused by the presence of the favourites +who accompanied him from Mesopotamia. If the +heir of Saladin could have foreseen what a price he +was to pay for the happiness of having his favourites +with him, he would doubtless have been discreet +enough to leave them behind.</p> + +<p>But, in the meantime, it was necessary for the +safety and interests both of the sultan and the emirs, +that the Crusaders should be destroyed; and Bibars +Bendocdar was bent on pursuing his success. In +the first place, he made several attempts to recapture +the engines of war, and the French were repeatedly +roused to defend them at the point of the sword. +But these attacks led to a feeling of insecurity, and +King Louis deemed it prudent to construct a bridge +of wood over the Achmoun, so as to have the means +of communicating readily with the Duke of Burgundy's +camp. Who at that time could have +imagined the mischief of which this bridge was +subsequently to be the cause?</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Bibars Bendocdar was doing his best +to inflame the enthusiasm of the Mamelukes and +soldiers. Nor, with that object, was he above practising +a little deception. A cuirass covered with +fleur-de-lis was publicly exhibited, and declared to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +be that of the French king. Heralds proclaimed +that the Christian army, deprived of its chief, was +like a trunk without a head; and the enthusiasm of +the Saracens reached a high pitch. At length, the +soldiers began to clamour to be led against the +enemy, and Bibars Bendocdar fixed Friday, the 11th +of February, as the day on which he would lead +them to triumph.</p> + +<p>It was the first Friday in Lent; and King Louis, +having received warning that an attack was meditated, +gave orders for fortifying the camp, and +preparing for a conflict. At daybreak, accordingly, +the Crusaders were under arms; and, in good time, +Bibars Bendocdar appeared on the plain, setting his +men in battle order. Placing his cavalry in the van, +the infantry behind, and a strong reserve in the rear, +the Mameluke chief extended his lines till his forces +seemed to cover the plain. Nor was he sorry to +observe that there was a prospect of a stern resistance; +for the difficulties of his situation increased +his importance in the eyes of his soldiers, and every +step he took in overcoming perils, from which others +shrank, brought him nearer to the object on which +his heart was set—that object being neither more +nor less than the throne of the sultans.</p> + +<p>And now, noon having come, with horns and +kettle-drums sounding an onset, Bibars Bendocdar +advanced on the Crusaders, and attacked the Count +of Anjou, who was at the head of the camp on the +side towards the Nile. At first, the French cavalry +calmly abided the assault; but they soon found +themselves exposed to a kind of attack which they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +had not anticipated. In fact, the Saracen infantry, +moving forward, overwhelmed the knights with +Greek fire, and threw them into confusion. Surcoats +and caparisons blazed, and the horses plunged, broke +from the control of their riders, and galloped to and +fro. While they were in disorder, Bibars Bendocdar, +at the head of the Mamelukes, penetrated within +the entrenchments, and the Count of Anjou found +himself surrounded by foes.</p> + +<p>Ere this, King Louis, aware of his brother's peril, +despatched Bisset, the English knight, with a message +assuring the count of speedy aid; but, ere the +Englishman reached the Count of Anjou, he met the +French cavalry flying in disarray. Bisset reined up, +and addressed the fugitives.</p> + +<p>'Christian warriors,' said he, 'I come from your +king to ask whither are you flying? See you not +that the horses of the unbelievers are swifter than +yours?'</p> + +<p>'It is too true,' replied the fugitives.</p> + +<p>'Come then,' said Bisset, 'follow me, and I will +show you what your king deems a safer road than +flight;' and charging among the Mamelukes, in front +of the French cavalry, the English knight succeeded +in maintaining the conflict, which had commenced +so inauspiciously for the French.</p> + +<p>And aid was at hand; for Louis did not forget his +promise of succour. Shouting his battle-cry, he +spurred, lance in rest, to his brother's rescue, and, +precipitating himself with his knights on the Moslem +warriors, soon redeemed the disaster which had +marked the opening of the battle. Nor did the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +saint-king exhibit the slightest dread of exposing his +royal person. With a shout of 'Montjoie, St. Denis!' +he charged into the midst of the foe—his banner +flying, and his sword flashing—and by his example +inspired the Crusaders with such courage that, after +a sanguinary combat, they succeeded in expelling the +Mamelukes from the camp, and driving back the +infantry that threw the Greek fire.</p> + +<p>By this time the battle had become general, and +everywhere the Crusaders fought valiantly and well, +though they had not always the advantage. In fact, +Bibars Bendocdar, as a war chief, possessed such a +degree of skill in handling masses of fighting men as +neither Louis nor any of the Crusaders could boast +of; and the discipline of the Mamelukes was such as +to make them terrible foes to encounter.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless the Crusaders held their ground, and +performed prodigies of valour. At one point the +warriors of Syria and Cyprus maintained their ground +against fearful odds; at a second, the knights of +Champagne and Flanders fought stoutly and well; +at a third, such of the Templars as had not fallen at +Mansourah, headed by their grand master who had +so narrowly escaped the carnage, exhibited the fine +spectacle of a handful of men baffling a multitude, +and, despite the showers of Greek fire and missiles +which fell so thick that the ground was literally +covered with arrows and javelins, kept the enemy at +bay. Even when the grand master fell mortally +wounded, the Knights of the Temple continued to +struggle; and when their entrenchments failed, and +the Saracens rushed into the camp, the military<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +monks closed their ranks and presented a front +against which the assailants continued for hours to +charge violently, but in vain.</p> + +<p>But meanwhile the peril of the Count of Poictiers +had been great and alarming. Composed of infantry, +his division gave way before the rush of the Saracen +cavalry, and dispersed in consternation. Nor was +this the worst. The count himself, while endeavouring +to rally his forces, was seized, and experienced +the mortification of finding himself dragged off as a +prisoner. But there was succour at hand.</p> + +<p>The Lord of Joinville and his knights were luckily +posted near the Count of Poictiers; but having all +been so severely wounded in the battle of Shrove +Tuesday as to be unable to bear their armour, they +could take no prominent part in the conflict raging +around them. No sooner, however, did they observe +the count's predicament than they deemed themselves +bound to interfere at all hazards; and Guy Muschamp, +riding to the place where the sutlers and +workmen and women of the army were posted, urged +them to rouse themselves.</p> + +<p>'Good people,' cried the squire, 'the brave Count +of Poictiers is being carried into captivity. For our +Leader's sake, succour the Count of Poictiers. To the +rescue! to the rescue!'</p> + +<p>Now the count was highly popular with the persons +to whom this appeal was addressed; and no +sooner did they learn the prince's danger than they +displayed the utmost alacrity to aid him. Arming +themselves with axes, and clubs, and sticks, and anything +that came in their way, they rushed furiously<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +forward, and, led on by the English squire, made so +successful an attack that the Saracens were dispersed, +and the count was rescued and carried back in +triumph.</p> + +<p>'Young gentleman,' said the count, gratefully, 'I +owe you my liberty. I pray you, tell me to whom I +am so deeply indebted.'</p> + +<p>'Noble count,' replied Guy, after telling his name, +'I am a squire of England; and, for the present, I +serve the Lord of Joinville.'</p> + +<p>'Ah,' said the count, smiling, 'the seneschal must +give you to me; for I would fain have an opportunity +of proving how I can requite such good service.'</p> + +<p>By this time Bibars Bendocdar perceived that he +was wasting his strength in vain, and sounded a retreat. +But the Mameluke chief was not without his +consolation. He knew that he had ruined the enterprise +of the Crusaders; that they were no longer in a +condition to attempt a march to Cairo; and that they +knew not on which side to turn.</p> + +<p>But when the Saracens retreated towards Damietta, +and the danger was over for the time being, the +Crusaders were inclined to talk of their successful +resistance as a victory; and the knights and barons +when summoned that evening to the king's pavilion, +went thither with the airs of conquerors.</p> + +<p>'My lords and friends,' said Louis, kindly; 'we +have much cause to be grateful to God our Creator. +On Tuesday, aided by Him, we dislodged our enemies +from their quarters, of which we gained possession. +This day we have defended ourselves against them, +though taken at advantage; many of us being left<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +without arms or horses, while they were completely +armed and on horseback, and on their own ground. +And since you have all witnessed the grace which God +our Creator has of late shown to us, and continues to +do daily, I commend you all, as you are bounden to +do, to return Him due thanksgiving.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<h3>MORTIFICATIONS AND MISERIES.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>NO longer could the armed pilgrims, so recently +buoyed up with the hope of making themselves +famous as the conquerors of Egypt, delude their +imaginations with the project of advancing to Cairo.</div> + +<p>'It is necessary to retreat to Damietta,' said the +wise and prudent.</p> + +<p>'A retreat to Damietta in the face of the foe is +more than our pride can brook,' exclaimed the +haughty and obstinate.</p> + +<p>'Let us remain at Djédilé, and trust to the course +of events,' suggested the reckless and the irresolute.</p> + +<p>At Djédilé, accordingly, the Crusaders remained; +and ere long, their calamities began in earnest, and +daily increased in magnitude. First came disease; +then came famine; and death and despair soon did +more than the Saracens could with the utmost efforts +have hoped to accomplish.</p> + +<p>It appears that, after the two battles fought on the +plains of Mansourah, the Crusaders had neglected to +bury the slain; and the bodies thrown confusedly into +the Achmoun, and floating on the water, stopped +before the wooden bridge, and infected the atmosphere.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +A contagious disease was the consequence; +and this, being increased by the abstinence during +Lent, wrought such havoc, that nothing was heard +in the camp but mourning and lamentation. Louis, +sad, but still not in despair, exerted himself to mitigate +the sufferings of his army. At length he also fell sick, +and, every day, affairs wore a gloomier aspect.</p> + +<p>'It seems,' said Guy Muschamp, who lay prostrate +with sickness in the tent of the Lord of Joinville, 'it +seems that Heaven has abandoned the soldiers of the +Cross.'</p> + +<p>'Hem,' replied Bisset, to whom this was addressed, +'I see not why Heaven should be blamed for the evils +which men bring on themselves by their own folly. +I warned you at Damietta what would be the end +of all the boastings which were uttered hourly. A +haughty spirit goes before a fall. Trust me, we have +not yet seen the worst. By the might of Mary, we +armed pilgrims may yet find ourselves under a +necessity similar to that which made cannibals of the +soldiers of King Cambyses when he made war in +Egypt!'</p> + +<p>'King Cambyses?' repeated Guy, enquiringly.</p> + +<p>'Ay,' replied Bisset, 'he was King of Persia, and +almost as great a monarch as King Louis; and +when he was in this country his provisions ran short. +At first his soldiers lived on herbs, roots, and leaves; +when they could not get even these, they ate their +horses and beasts of burden; and, when the horses +and beasts of burden were finished, they began +to devour one another; and every tenth man, on +whom the lot fell, was doomed to serve as a meal for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +his companions. Marry, we are like to be in a similar +plight; for famine begins to stare us in the face!'</p> + +<p>Guy groaned aloud, and wondered why he had left +England; and, at that time, indeed, the new and +terrible danger daunted every heart. Resolved to +cut off all communication between Damietta and the +camp of the Crusaders, the sultan ordered a number +of galleys to be transported overland, to form an +ambuscade; and many French vessels were intercepted. +For a time, Louis could not comprehend +how no arrivals took place, and felt the gravest +alarm. Ere long, however, one vessel, belonging to +the Count of Flanders, escaped the vigilance of the +galleys, and brought tidings that the sultan's flag +was displayed all along the Nile. The Crusaders +received this intelligence with horror; and, in a few +days, the evil of famine was added to that of pestilence.</p> + +<p>'What is to be done now?' asked they, giving way +to despondency.</p> + +<p>'It is quite clear,' said Louis, 'that, in order to +save ourselves, we must treat with our enemies.'</p> + +<p>No time was lost. Philip de Montfort, a knight of +renown, was despatched as ambassador to the sultan, +and was led to cherish hopes of success. The sultan +not only expressed his readiness to treat, but actually +nominated commissioners. At first everything went +smoothly, and the Saracens appeared reasonable in +their demands. But when the question of hostages +came to be discussed, a difficulty arose.</p> + +<p>'I am empowered to offer the Counts of Poictiers +and Anjou as hostages,' said De Montfort.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> + +<p>'No,' replied the Saracens, 'the sultan requires +the King of France.'</p> + +<p>'You ought to know Frenchmen better,' exclaimed +Geoffrey de Segrines, one of the commissioners; 'they +would rather die than leave their king in pledge.'</p> + +<p>After this, the negotiation was broken off; and the +French prepared to cross the Achmoun by the bridge, +and deliberate on the propriety of marching back to +Damietta. But even the passage of the bridge was +not effected without terrible danger and heavy loss. +No sooner did the Crusaders begin to move, than the +Saracens came down upon them, and made a furious +attack; but Walter de Chatillon, a French baron of +great fame, led on his companions to the encounter, +and after being seconded by the Count of Anjou, +succeeded in repulsing the foe. The Crusaders, however, +after remaining some days in their old camp, +found that they were a prey to the worst calamities, +and, no longer hesitating, decided on a day for returning +to Damietta.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately for the armed pilgrims, their resolution +was no secret to the Saracens, and when +Touran Chah became aware of their intended movement +down the Nile, he devised measures to intercept +them. He himself harangued his soldiers, +distributed money and provisions, reinforced them +with Arabs attracted to his standard by the prospect +of booty, and ordered boats with troops on board to +descend the river, and join the fleet already there; +while bodies of light horse were placed on all the +roads by which the Crusaders were likely to make +good their retreat.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> + +<p>Nevertheless, the Crusaders, finding their present +position desperate, persevered in their resolution, +and Tuesday, the 5th of April, was appointed for the +perilous enterprise. On the arrival of that day, the +sick, the wounded, the women, and the children, +were embarked on the Nile, and, at the same time, +several French nobles, and the papal legate, got on +board a vessel. No doubt seems to have existed that +Louis might have saved himself. Even the Arabian +historians admit that the French king might have +escaped, either in a boat or on horseback, if he would +have abandoned his army. But, with characteristic +generosity, he distinctly refused to separate his fate +from theirs. Anxious about his safety, the soldiers +ran along the bank, shouting to the boatmen not to +set sail till the king embarked.</p> + +<p>'Wait for the king—wait for the king!' cried they.</p> + +<p>'No,' said Louis, his heart touched, but his resolution +firm; 'go on. I will share weal or woe with my +soldiers. I am not such a niggard of life, that I grudge +to risk it in such company, and in such a cause.'</p> + +<p>And now the boats began to descend the Nile; +and at the same time the Duke of Burgundy, having +broken up his camp, about nightfall commenced a +retreat towards Damietta. But at this stage, the +French were guilty of a piece of negligence that was +destined to cost them dear. The king had ordered +the wooden bridge over the Achmoun to be destroyed. +In their agitation and haste, the French paid no +attention to the order. In vain Bisset, the English +knight, protested against such insane indifference to +a manifest peril.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> + +<p>'My masters,' said he, bluntly, 'we can hardly +be deemed otherwise than madmen, if we leave that +bridge standing as it is, to afford the Saracens a safe +passage over the canal, to attack us in the rear.'</p> + +<p>'Sir knight,' replied the French drily, for they did +not relish an Englishman's interference, 'it is not +from that quarter that danger is most to be apprehended.'</p> + +<p>'Nevertheless,' urged Bisset.</p> + +<p>'We are wasting time to no purpose,' said the +French; 'and this day, time is more precious than +your counsel.'</p> + +<p>'As you will, my masters,' replied Bisset; 'only +credit me, that if you leave that bridge behind you +to facilitate the operations of your enemies, you will +place your army in such a predicament, that neither +the craft of Alexander of Macedon, nor William the +Norman—could either come from their graves to +lead—would avail to save it from destruction ere +reaching Damietta.'</p> + +<p>And having administered this warning, Bisset +withdrew, with the consolation of a man who has done +at least his duty, and with the air also of a man +much too reckless as to his personal safety to fear +much on his own account from the consequences of +the blunders and incapacity of others; then, arming +himself, he saddled his steed, girded on his sword, +hung his battle-axe at his saddle-bow, and went to +attend King Louis during the perilous enterprise of +marching through a country, with armed foes posted +at the turn of every road.</p> + +<p>'Hearken to that English tail,' said the French<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +one to another, as Bisset withdrew; 'these islanders +are so timid, that they will next be afraid of their +own shadows.'</p> + +<p>'By the head of St. Anthony,' said a knight, who +had been attached to the Count of Artois, 'I hate +the tailed English so, that I would leave the bridge +as it is, if only to mortify one of them.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<h3>THE MASSACRE OF MINIEH.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>IT was already dark when the pilgrim army commenced +a perilous retreat to Damietta, and when +the King of France, surrounded by a band of brave +knights, undertook the duty of bringing up the rear—on +that occasion the post of honour.</div> + +<p>But Louis was in no condition to occupy such a +position with advantage. He was not fully recovered +from his sickness, and so weak, that he could hardly +bear the weight of his armour, or support himself on +his white charger. Neither helmet nor cuirass wore +he; nor had he any weapon save his sword; nor had +he sufficient strength to wield his sword to any +purpose in the event of a close encounter.</p> + +<p>And, as it happened, the post of honour speedily +became the post of danger. As Bisset had predicted, +the Saracens lost not a minute in availing themselves +of the bridge that had been left standing. In an +incredibly brief space of time, they contrived to cross +the canal in such numbers, that the plain on the +Damietta side was covered with turbaned warriors, +bent on the destruction of their foes; and, in +the darkness of the night, their cavalry charged<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +constantly, and with deadly effect, on the retiring and +dispirited rear of the Crusaders.</p> + +<p>Of course, the plight of Louis and his comrades +every hour became more deplorable. They fell into +disorder; they ran against and impeded each other; +and cries of anger and despair were mingled with +the neighing of horses, and the clash of arms. +Earnestly they prayed for day, that they might, at +least, ascertain their real position; but, when day +came, it brought no comfort. In fact, when the +rising sun revealed their diminished and diminishing +numbers, and the formidable force of enemies who +surrounded them—here a handful of men—there a +host—the very boldest of the Crusaders gave themselves +up for lost, and a simultaneous cry of terror +and dismay broke from their scanty ranks.</p> + +<p>'Gentlemen,' said Louis, calm in the midst of peril, +'droop not. At the great battle of Antioch, Godfrey +of Bouillon, and his companions, had worse odds +than we.'</p> + +<p>'And they conquered,' said Walter de Chatillon, +striving to banish apprehension, 'and we may +conquer.'</p> + +<p>'Yes,' replied Louis, 'they had faith in God's +protection, and confidence in the holiness of their +cause; and it seemed to them that while the struggle +was well-nigh hopeless, the blessed martyrs—George, +Demetrius, and Theodore, came to aid them, and +assure them of victory.'</p> + +<p>'Ha,' said Bisset, the English knight, as if speaking +to himself, 'I have heard that some saw St. +George in the air, with an army of white horses; but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +these did no doubt look through the spectacles of +fancy.'</p> + +<p>Louis turned, bent his brow, and darted upon the +speaker a glance of keen reproach, which might have +found fuller expression in words. But there was +no time for argument or admonition; for at that +moment the Saracens made one of their fiery charges, +and though the French warriors defended themselves +and their king with heroism, they could not hope +that valour would ultimately save them. While +Chatillon and Bisset, now charging singly, now side by +side, did wonders in keeping a space clear around +the king and the royal standard, Geoffrey de Segrines, +adhering to the side of Louis, wielded his sword with +such effect that he drove off, one by one, the horsemen +who darted forth from the Saracen ranks.</p> + +<p>'In truth,' said the brave Frenchman, when complimented +by Bisset on his exploits, 'I know not how +it is; but to me, it seems that the danger of this day +has doubled my strength.'</p> + +<p>'On my faith,' replied Bisset, 'I am at a loss +whether more to admire your valour or your vigilance. +Your care of your good king reminds me of +the watchful servant who carefully drives away the +flies from his master's cup.'</p> + +<p>But brief were the intervals allowed even for such +an exchange of sentiments. Now secure of victory, +and stimulated by enthusiasm and fanaticism, the +Saracens grew bolder and more audacious in their +attacks. Urged on by their dervishes and imaums, +who had flocked to the host of Saracens to remind +them that they were fighting in the cause of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +prophet, they became more and more eager for +carnage and blood, and the Crusaders less and less +capable of a stubborn resistance. At length, on +reaching the little town of Minieh, the Crusaders +acknowledged that they could no longer continue the +retreat; and, halting, they drew up in a body outside +the town, with the simple resolution of fighting till +they fell.</p> + +<p>But by this time Louis was utterly exhausted; and +Segrines, conducting him into the court, lifted him +from his steed, and carried him, 'weak as a child in +its mother's lap,' into a house, expecting every moment +to be his last. Nor did the prospects of the +Crusaders outside improve in the king's absence. +Alarming rumours, vaguely flying about the town, +reached their ears and depressed their hearts; and, +while they were still in panic and incertitude, the +Saracens made an onset with more than their former +ferocity. Soon all was confusion and carnage. It +seemed, indeed, that nothing but the hearts' blood +of the Crusaders would satisfy the vindictive cravings +of their foes; and so utterly dispirited by adversity +and defeat, and pestilence, were knights formerly +renowned as brave among the bravest that they allowed +themselves, almost without resisting, to be +slaughtered in heaps.</p> + +<p>Naturally, however, there were striking exceptions; +and none were more remarkable than Chatillon and +Bisset; who, when Louis was conducted into Minieh, +took up their post hard by an orange grove, and close +to a wall at the entrance of the narrow street leading +to the house into which Segrines had carried the king.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> + +<p>Nothing could have exceeded Chatillon's fiery +valour. At one moment he rushed like lightning +among the Saracens, scattered them, and cut them +down. Then after reining back to the wall to draw out +the arrows and darts that adhered to his cuirass, he returned +to the charge, rising in his stirrups, and shouting—'Chatillon, +knights—Chatillon to the rescue.'</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Bisset exerted himself with no less +courage and prowess. Scorning his danger, and +scorning his foes, he charged among the Saracens, +with shouts of—'Holy Cross, Holy Cross! Down with +the pagan dogs! Down with the slaves of Mahound +and Termagaunt!' Nothing could resist the vehemence +of his attack. In vain were all attempts to drag him +from his steed. Before his mighty battle-axe the +Saracens seemed to shake and fall as corn before the +reaper.</p> + +<p>At length Chatillon, mortally wounded, dropt from +his horse, and the Saracen who had wounded him +springing forward seized the French knight's steed, +which was one sheet of blood and foam. Bisset cleft +the Saracen's skull to the teeth, and laughed defiantly +as he avenged the fall of his comrade-in-arms.</p> + +<p>But Bisset was now alone; and his situation was +so utterly desperate, that any ordinary man, even in +that feudal and fighting age, would have relinquished +all hope and yielded to fate. The English knight had +no inclination to do anything of the kind. Rapidly +his eye measured the ground; as rapidly his brain +calculated the chances of reaching the orange grove; +and as rapidly he arrived at the conclusion that he +could cut his way through the crowd. No sooner<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +had he settled this than he wasted not a moment in +hesitation. Drawing back towards the wall, and +halting for a moment, with his face to his foes, to +breathe his panting steed, he once more, with battle-axe +in hand, charged forward upon his now recoiling +foes, but this time not to return. Nothing daunted by +the darts and arrows that flew around him, he deliberately +pursued the course which his eye had marked +out, literally felling to the earth all who attempted to +stop his progress, but skillfully avoiding foes whom +it was not necessary to encounter. Only a man of +the highest courage would have made such an +attempt: only a man of the strongest will would +have persevered.</p> + +<p>Now Bisset had both courage and strength of will, +and in spite of all the chances against him, he did +reach the orange grove, and making his way through +it as well as he could, found himself in the verge of +a wood of palms and sycamores. But he himself was +wounded; his horse was bleeding in a dozen places; +and close behind him were three Saracens, well +mounted, and thirsting for his blood. It may seem +to the reader, that such being the circumstances, +Bisset might as well have fallen at Mansourah or +with Walter de Chatillon at the entrance to the +narrow street leading to the house to which the king +had been carried. But, certainly, that was by no +means his view of the case; for he was one of +those warriors who never despair; and he turned on +his pursuers like a lion at bay.</p> + +<p>'Surely,' said he, speaking to himself, 'wounded +and weary as I am, I should be but a poor Christian<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +knight if I could not deal with three pagan +dogs.'</p> + +<p>And terrible, even to brave foes, was the ferocity +and fury with which Bisset turned upon the Saracens. +Mighty was the force with which he swung +a battle-axe, ponderous enough to have served as a +weapon to Cœur de Lion. Crushed by one swoop of +the axe fell the first of the pursuers—down, as it +again swung on high, fell the second, who a moment +earlier was uttering threats of vengeance. But the +English knight had no inclination to encounter the +third antagonist. His horse, as he felt, was sinking; +he himself was weakened by loss of blood; and, +quick as thought, he turned towards the wood of +palms and sycamores.</p> + +<p>But a new difficulty presented itself. Between +Bisset and the wood was a very deep ditch which +at another time would have made him pause. Now, +however, he did not hesitate, even for an instant. He +touched his steed with the spur; he spoke as if imploring +the noble animal to make a last effort; and +the result was a gallant bound. But the effort was +too much. In exerting itself to scramble up the +opposite bank, the good steed broke its back; and +the knight, freeing his limbs from its corse, quickly +drew his dagger and relieved it from suffering.</p> + +<p>The delay, however, had proved dangerous. Even +as he gained one bank of the ditch the Saracen was +at the other, and preparing to launch a javelin. One +moment only intervened between the Crusader and +death; but that moment was not neglected. With +his remaining strength Bisset raised his battle-axe,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +whirled it with irresistible force, and, as the weapon +whizzed through the air, the Saracen dropped from +his horse and rolled into the ditch, the water of which +immediately became red with his blood.</p> + +<p>Not a moment did Bisset now waste in getting under +cover of the wood. For full five minutes he neither +halted nor looked behind. At length he stopped +under a palm tree; and taking out one of those little +crosses which the Crusaders carried with them for +purposes of prayer, and which are now symbolised by +figures on the shield of many a Crusader's descendant, +he knelt before it, and invoked the protection and aid +of God and the saints to shield him from danger and +restore him to the land of his fathers.</p> + +<p>But almost ere the prayer was uttered, Bisset +started at the sound of footsteps; and as he turned +his head his brain reeled; and, after grasping at the +tree for support, he sank motionless on the ground.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h3>JOINVILLE IN PERIL.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>WHILE King Louis and the brave companions of +his ill-starred retreat were seized as captives, or +mercilessly massacred by the Saracens at Minieh, the +sick and wounded Crusaders who embarked on the +Nile were not more fortunate. In order to understand +the extent of their dangers and sufferings, it is +necessary to refer to the chronicle of the good Lord +of Joinville—who, still suffering from disease, embarked +with his knights and followers, including Guy +Muschamp, not yet recovered from the sickness by +which he had been prostrated.</div> + +<p>Nor is it possible to peruse the seneschal's simple +narrative without profound interest. In reading his +account of this disastrous expedition, we are transported, +in imagination, to the thirteenth century, +and witness, with the mind's eye, the scenes in which +he was an actor, and gradually come to feel as if we +were not reading a chronicle penned centuries ago, +but listening to a Crusader who, just returned from +the East, and seated on the dais of the castle hall, +tells his story over the wine-cup to his kinsmen +and neighbours assembled at the festive board.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was evening; and Joinville, who was suffering +fearfully from the prevailing malady, perceiving that +everyone was preparing to depart towards Damietta, +withdrew to his galley, with his chaplain, and such of +his company, including Guy Muschamp, as had escaped +the pestilence, and the swords of the Saracens; +and no sooner did darkness descend over the hill, +than he commanded his captain to raise the anchor, +and float down the stream.</p> + +<p>'My lord,' replied the man, 'I dare not; for +between us and Damietta are the large galleys of the +Saracens, who would infallibly capture us.'</p> + +<p>And at this moment a terrible spectacle arrested +Joinville's attention. It happened that the king's +seamen were waiting to take the sick and wounded on +board; but many of the sick and wounded were still +in the camp on the banks of the river. Suddenly, +by the light of fires which the sailors had lighted for +the comfort of the sick, Joinville saw the Saracens +enter the camp, and gratify their thirst for blood by +a general massacre. In great alarm, the king's +seamen cut their cables; and while Joinville's men +were raising their anchor, the huge galleys came +down upon them with such force, that he expected +every moment to be sunk. However he escaped this +danger, and made some way down the Nile. But it +speedily appeared that the Crusaders who had embarked +on the river were not to be more fortunate in +their attempt to reach Damietta than were those who +remained on shore.</p> + +<p>Joinville very soon discovered that he had scarcely +a chance of escape. During the night, a tempest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +arose; and the wind blowing with great force towards +Damietta drove the vessels of the Crusaders straight +in the way of the sultan's fleet, and about break of +day they found themselves close to the galleys of the +Saracens. Immediately on observing the Crusaders +approaching, the Saracens raised loud shouts, and +shot large bolts, and threw Greek fire in such quantities, +that it seemed as if the stars were falling from +the heavens.</p> + +<p>Great, of course, was the alarm of the Crusaders. +Joinville and his company, however, gained the +current, and endeavoured to push forward; but the +wind becoming more and more violent drove them +against the banks, and close to the Saracens, who, +having already taken several vessels, were murdering +the crews, and throwing the dead bodies into the +river.</p> + +<p>On seeing what was taking place, and finding that +the Saracens began to shoot bolts at his galley, +Joinville, to protect himself, put on his armour. He +had hardly done so, when some of his people began +to shout in great consternation.</p> + +<p>'My lord, my lord,' cried they, 'because the Saracens +menace us, our steersman is going to run us +ashore, where we shall all be murdered.'</p> + +<p>At that moment Joinville was so faint that he +had seated himself, but instantly rising he drew his +sword and advanced.</p> + +<p>'Beware what you do,' said he; 'for I vow to slay +the first person who attempts to run us ashore.'</p> + +<p>'My lord,' said the captain in a resolute tone, 'it is +impossible to proceed; so you must make up your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +mind whether you will be landed on shore, or +stranded in the mud of the banks.'</p> + +<p>'Well,' replied Joinville, 'I choose rather to be +run on a mud bank than to be carried ashore, where +even now I see our people being slaughtered.'</p> + +<p>But escape proved impossible. Almost as he +spoke, Joinville perceived four of the sultan's galleys +making towards his barge; and, giving himself up +for lost, he took a little casket containing his jewels, +and threw it into the Nile. However, it turned out +that, though he could not save his liberty, there was +still a chance of saving his life.</p> + +<p>'My lord,' said the mariner, 'you must permit me +to say you are the king's cousin; if not, we are as +good as murdered.'</p> + +<p>'Say what you please,' replied Joinville.</p> + +<p>And now Joinville met with a protector, whose +coming he attributed to the direct interposition of +heaven. 'It was God,' says he, 'who then, as I verily +believe, sent to my aid a Saracen, who was a subject +of the Emperor of Germany. He wore a pair of +coarse trowsers, and, swimming straight to me, he +came into my vessel and embraced my knees. "My +lord," he said, "if you do not what I shall advise, you +are lost. In order to save yourself, you must leap +into the river, without being observed." He had a +cord thrown to me, and I leaped into the river, +followed by the Saracen, who saved me, and conducted +me to a galley, wherein were fourteen score of men, +besides those who had boarded my vessel. But this +good Saracen held me fast in his arms.'</p> + +<p>Shortly after, Joinville with the good Saracen's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +aid was landed, and the other Saracens rushed on +him to cut his throat, and he expected no better fate. +But the Saracen who had saved him would not quit +his hold.</p> + +<p>'He is the king's cousin,' shouted he; 'the king's +cousin.'</p> + +<p>'I had already,' says Joinville, 'felt the knife at +my throat, and cast myself on my knees; but, by +the hands of this good Saracen, God delivered me +from this peril; and I was led to the castle where +the Saracen chiefs had assembled.'</p> + +<p>When Joinville was conducted with some of his +company, along with the spoils of his barge, into the +presence of the emirs, they took off his coat of mail; +and perceiving that he was very ill, they, from pity, +threw one of his scarlet coverlids lined with minever +over him, and gave him a white leathern girdle, with +which he girded the coverlid round him, and placed a +small cap on his head. Nevertheless, what with his +fright and his malady, he soon began to shake so +that his teeth chattered, and he complained of thirst.</p> + +<p>On this the Saracens gave him some water in a +cup; but he no sooner put it to his lips, than the +water began to run back through his nostrils. +'Having an imposthume in my throat,' says he, +'imagine what a wretched state I was in; and I +looked more to death than life.'</p> + +<p>When Joinville's attendants saw the water running +through his nostrils, they began to weep; and the +good Saracen who had saved him asked them why +they were so sorrowful.</p> + +<p>'Because,' they replied, 'our lord is nearly dead.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> + +<p>And thereupon the good Saracen, taking pity +on their distress, ran to tell the emirs; and one of +them coming, told Joinville to be of good cheer, for +he would bring a drink that should cure him in two +days. Under the influence of this beverage, the +seneschal ere long recovered; and when he was well, +he was sent for by the admiral, who commanded the +sultan's galleys.</p> + +<p>'Are you,' asked the admiral, 'the king's cousin, +as was reported?'</p> + +<p>'No,' answered Joinville, 'I am not;' and he informed +the admiral why it had been stated.</p> + +<p>'You were well advised,' said the admiral; 'for +otherwise you would have been all murdered, and +cast into the river. Have you any acquaintance with +the Emperor Frederic, or are you of his lineage?'</p> + +<p>'Truly,' replied Joinville, 'I have heard my mother +say that I am the emperor's second cousin.'</p> + +<p>'Ah,' said the admiral, 'I rejoice to hear it; and +I love you all the better on that account.'</p> + +<p>It appears that Joinville became quite friendly +with the admiral, and was treated by him with +kindness; and, on Sunday, when it was ordered that +all the Crusaders who had been taken prisoners on +the Nile should be brought to a castle on the banks, +Joinville was invited to go thither in the admiral's +company. On that occasion, the seneschal had to +endure the horror of seeing his chaplain dragged +from the hold of his galley and instantly killed and +flung into the water; and scarcely was this over +when the chaplain's clerk was dragged out of the +hold, so weak that he could hardly stand, felled on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +the head with a mortar, and cast after his master. +In this manner the Saracens dealt with all the +captives who were suffering from sickness.</p> + +<p>Horrorstruck at such a destruction of human life, +Joinville, by means of the good Saracen who had +saved his life, informed them that they were doing +very wrong; but they treated the matter lightly.</p> + +<p>'We are only destroying men who are of no use,' +said they; 'for they are much too ill with their +disorders to be of any service.'</p> + +<p>Soon after witnessing this harrowing spectacle, +Joinville was requested by the Saracen admiral to +mount a palfrey; and they rode together, over a +bridge, to the place where the Crusaders were imprisoned. +At the entrance of a large pavilion the +good Saracen, who had been Joinville's preserver, +and had always followed him about, stopped, and +requested his attention.</p> + +<p>'Sir,' said he, 'you must excuse me, but I cannot +come further. I entreat you not to quit the hand +of this boy, otherwise the Saracens will kill him.'</p> + +<p>'Who is he?' asked Joinville.</p> + +<p>'The boy's name,' replied the good Saracen, 'is +Bartholomew de Bar, and he is son of the Lord +Montfaucon de Bar.'</p> + +<p>And now conducted by the admiral, and leading +the little boy by the hand, Joinville entered the +pavilion, where the nobles and knights of France, +with more than ten thousand persons of inferior rank, +were confined in a court, large in extent, and surrounded +by walls of mud. From this court the +captive Christians were led forth, one at a time, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +asked if they would become renegades, yes or no. +He who answered 'Yes,' was put aside; but he who +answered 'No,' was instantly beheaded.</p> + +<p>Such was the plight of the Christian warriors who +so recently had boasted of being about to conquer +Egypt. Already thirty thousand of the Crusaders +had perished; and the survivors were so wretched, that +they almost envied their comrades who had gone +where the weary are at rest.</p> + +<p>Now in the midst of all this suffering and anxiety, +what had become of Guy Muschamp? Had the gay +young squire, who boasted that if killed by the +Saracens he would die laughing, been drowned in the +Nile, or was he a captive in that large court surrounded +by walls of mud? Neither. But as our +narrative proceeds, the reader will see that Guy +Muschamp's fate was hardly less sad than the fate of +those who had found a watery grave, or of those who +were offered the simple choice of denying their God +or losing their lives.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>NEWS OF DISASTER.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>WHILE Louis of France and his nobles and +knights were exposed to such danger at the +hands of their enemies, from whom they had no reason +to expect forbearance, Queen Margaret remained at +Damietta, with her ladies, expecting to hear of battles +won and fortresses taken. At length, one morning +about sunrise, a strange and heart-rending cry resounded +through the city, and reached the ears of +the queen in her palace. What was it? was it fire? +No. Another and another wail of agony. What could +it be? The approach of an enemy? No. It was +merely tidings of the massacre of Minieh!</div> + +<p>Margaret of Provence summoned to her presence +Oliver de Thermes, whom King Louis had left at +Damietta in command of the garrison.</p> + +<p>'Sir knight,' said the queen, 'what is all that noise +I hear?'</p> + +<p>The warrior hesitated.</p> + +<p>'Speak, sir,' said Margaret, losing patience; 'I +command you to tell me what has happened.'</p> + +<p>'Madam,' replied the knight, 'the news as yet is +but vague and uncertain.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Answer me, directly,' said the queen, speaking in +a tone of authority. 'What of the King of France? +What of the warriors who marched from Damietta +under the banner of St. Denis?'</p> + +<p>'Alas, madam,' replied Sir Oliver, 'I would fain +hope that the news is not true; but it certainly is +bruited about that the king is a captive, and that +the warriors of the Cross have fallen almost to a +man.'</p> + +<p>Margaret did not answer; she did not even attempt +to speak. Her colour went, she shuddered, tottered, +and would have fallen to the floor had not her +ladies rushed to her support. It was indeed a terrible +situation for that youthful matron, and—what made +matters more melancholy—she was about to become a +mother.</p> + +<p>And now Damietta was the scene of consternation +somewhat similar to that which pervaded Cairo, when +a pigeon carried thither intelligence of the victory +of the Count of Artois at Djédilé. The ladies of the +Crusaders, the Countesses of Poictiers and Provence, +and the widowed Countess of Artois, among the +number, bewailed the fate of their lords; the queen +was afflicted to a terrible degree as she thought of +the king's peril; and many people only felt concerned +about their own extreme peril. Of course much +selfishness was exhibited under the circumstances; +and the Pisans and Genoese set a bad example by +preparing to save themselves, and leave the city to +its fate. But, on hearing of their intention, the queen +ordered that the chief persons among them should +be brought to her presence, and addressed them in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +a way likely to convince them of the selfishness of +their conduct.</p> + +<p>'Gentlemen,' said Margaret, rousing herself from +her prostration and raising her head; 'as you love +God, do not leave this city; for if you do you will +utterly ruin the king and his army, who are captives, +and expose all within the walls to the vengeance +of the Saracens.'</p> + +<p>'Madam,' replied the Pisans and Genoese, utterly +unmoved by the loyal lady's distress, 'we have no +provisions left, and we cannot consent to remain at +the risk of dying of hunger.'</p> + +<p>'Be under no such apprehension,' said the queen +quickly; 'you shall not die of hunger; I will cause +all the provisions in Damietta to be bought in the +king's name, and distributed forthwith.'</p> + +<p>The Pisans and Genoese on hearing this assurance +consented to remain in Damietta; and, after an expenditure +of three hundred and sixty thousand livres, +Margaret provided for their subsistence. But the +men who were thus bribed to remain as a garrison +were not likely to make any very formidable resistance +in the event of an attack taking place; and +such an event was no longer improbable. Indeed +rumours, vague but most alarming, reached Damietta +that a Saracenic host was already on its way to capture +the city.</p> + +<p>The rumour that the Moslems were actually coming +made the bravest men in Damietta quake, and inspired +the ladies who were in the city with absolute terror. +Even the courage of the queen, who had just given +birth to her son John, failed; and her faculties<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +well-nigh deserted her. One moment her imagination +conjured up visions of Saracens butchering her husband; +at another she shrieked with terror at the idea +that the Saracens had taken the city and were +entering her chamber. Ever and anon she sank into +feverish sleep, and then, wakened by some fearful +dream, sprang up, shouting, 'Help! help! they are at +hand. I hear their lelies.'</p> + +<p>It was while Margaret of Provence was in this +unhappy state of mind, that a French knight, who +was eighty years of age, but whose heart, in spite of +his four score of years, still overflowed with chivalry, +undertook the duty of guarding the door of her +chamber night and day.</p> + +<p>'Madam,' said he, 'be not alarmed. I am with +you. Banish your fears.'</p> + +<p>'Sir knight,' exclaimed the unhappy queen, throwing +herself on her knees before him, 'I have a favour +to ask. Promise that you will grant my request.'</p> + +<p>'I swear, madam, that I will comply with your +wishes,' replied the aged knight.</p> + +<p>'Well, then,' said the queen; 'what I have to +request is this, that if the Saracens should take the +city, you, by the faith you have pledged, will rather +cut off my head than suffer me to fall into their +hands.'</p> + +<p>'Madam,' replied the veteran chevalier, 'I had +already resolved on doing what you have asked, in +case the worst should befall.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<h3>A WOUNDED PILGRIM.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>IT was long ere Walter Espec, struck down wounded +and bleeding at Mansourah, recovered possession +of his faculties sufficiently to recall the scenes through +which he had passed or even to understand what was +taking place around him. As time passed over, +however, consciousness returned; and he one day +became aware that he was stretched on a bed in a +chamber somewhat luxuriously furnished, and tended +by a woman advanced in years, who wore a gown of +russet, and a wimple which gave her a conventual +appearance.</div> + +<p>Walter raised his head, and was about to speak, +when she suddenly left the room, and the squire was +left to guess, as he best might, where and under whose +care he was. He attempted to rise; but the effort was +in vain. He put his hand to his head; but he found +that his long locks of fair hair were gone. He tried +to remember how he had got there; but, try as he +might, his memory would not bring him farther down +the stream of time, than the hour in which he fell +at Mansourah. All the rest was a blank or a feverish +dream of being rowed on a river by Saracen boatmen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span>, +and left at the portal of a house which he had never +seen before. Gradually recalling all his adventures +since he left the castle of Wark, he remembered and +felt his hand for the amulet with which he had been +gifted by King Louis when at Cyprus. The ring was +there, and as Walter thought of the inscription he +felt something like hope.</p> + +<p>But Walter was still weak from loss of blood and +the fever which had been the consequence of wounds +and exposure, and he soon sank into a slumber. +When he again awoke to consciousness the woman in +russet was standing near him, and conversing with a +damsel whom Walter did not at first see, but whose +tones, sweet and soft, manifested a strong interest in +his recovery.</p> + +<p>'He will yet live,' said the woman in russet, 'and +rejoice we in it; for he is a young man; and to such +life must needs be dear.'</p> + +<p>'He will live,' repeated the girl, 'and our lady be +praised therefor; for it is sweet to live.'</p> + +<p>'In truth, noble demoiselle,' said the woman in +russet, 'the youth owes much to your solicitude; +but for your anxiety on his behalf, I hardly think he +would have struggled through the fever. However, if +you will remain and watch him for a brief space, I will +attend to the commands of my lady the queen, and +hasten to relieve you. Nay, it misbeseems not noble +maiden to tend a wounded warrior, especially a soldier +of the Cross; and, credit me, he will give you little +trouble. He lies as quiet and calm as if he were in +his shroud.'</p> + +<p>With these words the woman in russet departed;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +and the damsel, treading so softly that her footstep +made not the slightest noise, moved about the room +in silent thought, now turning to gaze on the wounded +squire, now looking from the casement. Walter, now +fully awake, began to experience a strong feeling of +curiosity; and turning his head directed his gaze, +not without interest, towards his youthful nurse. She +was not more than sixteen, and still more beautiful +than young. She had features exquisitely lovely in +their delicacy and expression, deep blue eyes with +long dark fringes, and dark brown hair which, according +to the fashion of the period, was turned up +behind and enclosed in a caul of network. Her form +was already elegant in its proportions; but it inclined +to be taller, and gave promise of great perfection. +Her charms were set off by the mourning dress which +she wore, and by the robe called the quintise, which +was an upper tunic without sleeves, with bordered +vandyking and scalloping worked and notched in +various patterns, worn so long behind that it swept +the floor, but in front held up gracefully with one +hand so as not to impede the step.</p> + +<p>Walter was charmed, and a little astonished as his +eye alighted on a face and form so fascinating; and, +in spite of his prostration and utter weakness, he +gazed on her with lively interest and some wonder.</p> + +<p>'Holy Katherine!' exclaimed he to himself; 'what +a lovely vision. I marvel who she is, and where I +am; and, as he thus soliloquised, the girl turned round, +and not without flutter and alarm perceived that he +was awake and watching her.</p> + +<p>'Noble demoiselle, heed me not;' said Walter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +earnestly, 'but rather tell me, since, if I understand +aright, I owe my life to you—how am I ever sufficiently +to prove my gratitude?'</p> + +<p>'Ah, sir squire,' replied she, 'you err in supposing +the debt to be on your side. It is I who owe you a +life, and not you who owe a life to me; and,' added +she, struggling to repress tears, 'my heart fills when +I remember how you did for me, albeit a stranger, +what, under the circumstances, no other being on +earth would have ventured to do.'</p> + +<p>'By Holy Katherine, noble demoiselle,' said Walter, +wondering at her words; 'I should in truth deem it +a high honour to have rendered such as you any +service. But that is a merit which I cannot claim; +for, until this hour, unless my memory deceives me, +I never saw your face.'</p> + +<p>The countenance of the girl evinced disappointment, +and the tears started to her eyes.</p> + +<p>'Ah, sir, sir,' said she, with agitation; 'I am she +whom, on the coast of Cyprus, you saved from the +waves of the sea.'</p> + +<p>Walter's heart beat rather quick as he learned that +it was Adeline de Brienne who stood before him; for, +though her very face was unknown to him, her name +had strangely mixed up with many of his day-dreams; +and it was not without confusion that, after a pause, +he continued the conversation.</p> + +<p>'Pardon my ignorance, noble demoiselle,' said he, +'and vouchsafe, I pray you, to inform me where I +now am; for I own to you that I am somewhat +perplexed.'</p> + +<p>'You are in Damietta.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> + +<p>'In Damietta!' exclaimed Walter, astonished; 'and +how came I to Damietta? My latest recollection is +having been struck from my steed at Mansourah, +after my lord, the Earl of Salisbury, and all the +English warriors, had fallen before the weapons of +the Saracens; and how I come to be in Damietta is +more than I can guess.'</p> + +<p>'Mayhap; but I can tell you,' said a frank hearty +voice; and, as Walter started at the sound, Bisset, +the English knight, stood before him; and Adeline +de Brienne, not without casting a kindly look behind, +vanished from the chamber.</p> + +<p>'Wonder upon wonders,' cried Walter, as the knight +took his hand; 'I am now more bewildered than +before. Am I in Damietta, and do I see you, and in +the body?'</p> + +<p>'Even so,' replied Bisset; 'and for both circumstances we +are wholly indebted to Beltran, the Christian +renegade. He saved you from perishing at Mansourah, +and conveyed you down the Nile, and brought +you to the portal of this palace; and he came to me +when I was at Minieh under a tree, sinking with +fatigue, and in danger of bleeding to death; and he +found the means of conveying me hither also; so I +say that, were he ten times a renegade, he merits our +gratitude.'</p> + +<p>'Certes,' said Walter, 'and, methinks, also our +prayers that his heart may be turned from the error +of his ways, and that he may return to the faith which +Christians hold.'</p> + +<p>'Amen,' replied Bisset.</p> + +<p>'But tell me, sir knight,' continued Walter, eagerly,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +what has happened, since that dreadful day, to the +pilgrim army? and if you know aught of my brother-in-arms, +Guy Muschamp?'</p> + +<p>'Sir squire,' answered Bisset, sadly; 'for your first +question, I grieve to say, that has come to pass which +I too shrewdly predicted—all the boasting of the +French has ended in disaster—the king and his +nobles being prisoners, and most of the other pilgrims +slain or drowned; and, for your second, as to Guy +Muschamp, the English squire, who was a brave and +gallant youth, I own I entertain hardly a doubt that, +ere this, he is food for worms or fishes.'</p> + +<p>Walter Espec uttered an exclamation of horror, +and, without another word, sank back on his pillow.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + +<h3>ST. LOUIS IN CHAINS.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>WHEN King Louis was led away by the faithful +Segrines, and when he was so exhausted that +he had to be lifted from his steed and carried into a +house, and when the Crusaders outside were in dismay +and despair, Philip de Montfort entered the +chamber where the saintly monarch was, and proposed +to renew negotiations with the Saracens.</div> + +<p>'Sire,' said De Montfort, 'I have just seen the +emir with whom I formerly treated; and, so it be +your good pleasure, I will seek him out, and demand +a cessation of hostilities.'</p> + +<p>'Go,' replied Louis; 'and, since it can no better +be, promise to submit to the conditions on which the +sultan formerly insisted.'</p> + +<p>Accordingly De Montfort went; and the Saracens, +still fearing their foes, and remembering that the +French held Damietta, agreed to treat. A truce was, +indeed, on the point of being concluded. Montfort +had given the emir a ring; the emir had taken off +his turban, and their hands were about to meet; +when a Frenchman, named Marcel, rushed in and +spoiled all.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Seigneurs,' said he, interrupting the conference, +'noble knights of France, surrender yourselves all! +The king commands you by me. Do not cause him +to be put to death.'</p> + +<p>On hearing this message, the emir withdrew his +hand, returned De Montfort's ring, put on his turban, +and intimated that the negotiation was at an end.</p> + +<p>'God is powerful,' said he, 'and it is not customary +to treat with beaten enemies.'</p> + +<p>And now it was that there ensued such a scene as +Minieh had never witnessed. Almost as the negotiation +ended, Louis was seized, violently handled +and put in chains. Both the Count of Poictiers and +the Count of Anjou were at the same time made +prisoners; and the bulk of the warriors accompanying +the king had scarcely the choice between surrender +and death; for nothing, as has been said, but their +hearts' blood would satisfy the vindictive cravings of +their foes; and, when the king's captivity became +known, many of those who had formerly been most +intrepid, remained motionless and incapable of the +slightest resistance.</p> + +<p>About the time when King Louis was put in +chains, and when Bisset, the English knight, was +endeavouring to escape death or rather captivity, the +sultan arrived at Minieh, and, without any display +of generosity for the vanquished, took measures for +improving his victory to the utmost. The king and +his brothers who, like himself, were bound hand and +foot, were conducted in triumph to a boat of war. +The oriflamme—that banner so long the pride of +France—was now carried in mockery; the crosses<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +and images, which the Crusaders had with them as +symbols of their religious faith, were trampled +scornfully under foot; and, with trumpets sounding +and kettle-drums clashing, the royal captives were +marched into Mansourah.</p> + +<p>It was to the house of Fakreddin Ben Lokman, +the secretary of the sultan, that Louis was escorted; +and, on arriving there, he was given into the custody +of the Eunuch Sahil. But, abandoned by fortune, and +in the power of his enemies, Louis was still himself. +In chains and captivity he exhibited the dignity of a +king and the resignation of a Christian, and his jailers +could not refrain from expressing their astonishment +at the serene patience with which he bore adversity. +Of all his property, he had only saved his book of +psalms; and daily, while consoling himself with reciting +from its pages, he was inspired with strength +and resolution to bear his misfortunes, and to raise +his thoughts far above the malice of his foes.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, at the court of the sultan, everything +was not going smoothly. From the beginning, the +emirs and Mamelukes had looked with envy and +suspicion on the favourites brought by Touran Chah +from Mesopotamia; and such feelings had not died +away. Many of the favourites ere long were substituted +for the ministers of the late sultan; and the +emirs and Mamelukes not only complained loudly of +this to Touran Chah, but reproached him bitterly for +the way in which he disposed of the spoil of the +Crusaders.</p> + +<p>'How is this?' asked they; 'you are bestowing the +spoils of the vanquished Franks, not on the men who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +have borne the burden of the war, but on men whose +sole merit consists in having come from the banks of +the Euphrates to the Nile.'</p> + +<p>Now, the sultan's favourites were not unaware of +the unfriendly feeling with which they were regarded +by the Mameluke chiefs. Indeed, they saw all the +dangers of their position, and considered it politic, +under the circumstances, to reduce the influence of +the emirs and Mamelukes by bringing about a treaty +with the Crusaders.</p> + +<p>'In these people,' said they to the sultan, 'you +have enemies far more dangerous than the Christians. +Nothing will content them but reigning in your stead. +They never cease to boast of their victories, as if they +alone had conquered the Franks, and as if the God +of Mahomet had not sent pestilence and famine to +aid you in triumphing. But hasten to terminate the +war, that you may strengthen your power within; and +then you will be able to reign in reality.'</p> + +<p>As soon as Touran Chah was convinced that the +emirs and Mamelukes entertained projects of ambition +dangerous to his power, and that war was +favourable to their designs, he resolved to show the +chiefs how little he regarded their opinions; and, +without even consulting them, he sent some of his +favourites to the house of Lokman, and empowered +them to treat with Louis.</p> + +<p>'King,' said the ambassador, 'I come from the +sultan, to inform you that he will restore you to +liberty, on condition that you surrender to him the +cities of Palestine now held by the Franks.'</p> + +<p>'The cities of Palestine are not mine to give,'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +replied Louis, calmly; 'and I cannot pretend to +dispose of them.'</p> + +<p>'But beware of rashly refusing to submit to the +sultan's terms,' said the ambassador; 'for you know +not what may happen. He will send you to the +caliph at Bagdad, who will imprison you for life; or +he will cause you to be led throughout the East, to +exhibit to all Asia a Christian king reduced to +slavery.'</p> + +<p>'I am the sultan's prisoner,' replied Louis, unmoved, +'and he can do with me what he pleases.'</p> + +<p>On hearing this answer, the ambassadors intimated +their intention of employing personal violence; and, +one of them having stamped three times with his +foot, the Eunuch Sahil entered, followed by the +jailers, bearing that frightful instrument of torture, +known as 'the bernicles.'</p> + +<p>Now this terrible engine was made of pieces of +wood pierced with holes, into which the legs of the +criminal were put; and the holes were at so great a +distance from each other, and could be forced to so +great an extension, that the pain was about the most +horrible that could be produced. Moreover, the +holes being at various distances, the legs of the +victim could be inserted into those that extended +them to the greatest distance, and while the pain +inflicted was more than flesh and blood could bear, +means were, at the same time, used to break or dislocate +all his small bones. It was an instrument of +punishment reserved for the worst of criminals; and +no torture was deemed so awful as that which it was +capable of inflicting.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> + +<p>'What do you say to be put in this engine of +punishment?' asked the ambassador, pointing significantly +to the bernicles.</p> + +<p>'I have already told you,' replied Louis, unmoved, +'that I am the sultan's prisoner, and that he can do +with me as he pleases.'</p> + +<p>In fact, the courage of Louis was proof against any +danger to his own person; and he held all the +menaces of his captors so cheap, that they scarcely +knew how to deal with him. At length, the sultan +determined to propose terms more likely to be acceptable +to the saint-king, and again sent ambassadors +to his prison, with the object of bringing +about a treaty.</p> + +<p>'King,' said the ambassador, 'the sultan has sent +to ask how much money you will give for your +ransom, besides restoring Damietta?'</p> + +<p>'In truth,' replied Louis, 'I scarcely know what +answer to make; but, if the sultan will be contented +with a reasonable sum, I will write to the queen to +pay it for myself and my army.'</p> + +<p>'But wherefore write to the queen, who is but a +woman?' asked the ambassador somewhat surprised.</p> + +<p>'She is my lady and companion,' answered Louis, +even at that moment mindful of the principles of +chivalry; 'and it is only reasonable that her consent +should be obtained.'</p> + +<p>'Well,' said the ambassador, 'if the queen will +pay a million golden bezants, the sultan will set you +free.'</p> + +<p>'However,' said Louis, with dignity, 'I must tell +you that, as King of France, I cannot be redeemed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +by money; but a million of bezants will be paid as +the ransom of my army, and Damietta given up in +exchange for my own freedom.'</p> + +<p>After some negotiations the terms were agreed to; +and the sultan not only concluded the treaty joyfully, +but expressed his admiration of the nobility of spirit +which Louis had displayed.</p> + +<p>'By my faith!' said Touran Chah to the ambassador, +'this Frenchman is generous and noble, seeing +that he does not condescend to bargain about so large +a sum of money, but instantly complies with the first +demand. Go,' added the sultan, 'and tell him, from +me, that I make him a present of a fifth of the sum, +so that he will only have to pay four-fifths; and that +I will command all the principal nobles and his +great officers to be embarked in four of my largest +galleys, and conducted safely to Damietta.'</p> + +<p>It was Thursday before the Feast of Ascension; +and, while the King of France, and the Crusaders +were conveyed down the Nile in galleys, Touran Chah +travelled by land from Mansourah, in order to receive +Damietta, and perform the conditions of peace. On +reaching Pharescour, however, the sultan halted to +dine with his chiefs; and, while the other Crusaders +lay in their galleys on the river, the king and his +brethren were invited to land, and received into a +pavilion, where they had an interview with the sultan, +when Saturday was appointed for the payment of the +golden bezants and the surrender of Damietta. But +long ere Saturday a terrible tragedy was to occur, +and render Pharescour memorable as the scene of a +deed of violence, startling both to Asia and Europe.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +Already, while the sultan held his interview with the +King of France and the Counts of Poictiers and +Anjou, everything was prepared; and soon after +Touran Chah had left Louis and his brothers shut +up in the pavilion, they were roused by loud shouts +of distress and a mighty tumult; and, while they +breathlessly asked each other whether the French +captives were being massacred or Damietta taken by +storm, in rushed twenty Saracens, their swords red +and reeking with blood, and spots of blood on their +vestments and their faces, stamping, threatening +furiously, and uttering fierce cries.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> + +<h3>THE TRAGEDY OF PHARESCOUR.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>AT Pharescour, on the margin of the Nile, the +Sultan of Egypt had a remarkable palace. It +appears to have been constructed of wood, and +covered with cloth of brilliant colours. At the +entrance was a pavilion, where the emirs and chiefs +were in the habit of leaving their swords, when they +had audience of the sultan; and beyond this pavilion +was a handsome gateway which led to the great +hall where the sultan feasted; and adjoining the +great hall was a tower, by which the sultan ascended +to his private apartments.</div> + +<p>Between the palace and the river was a spacious +lawn, in which there was a tower, to which the sultan +was wont to ascend when he wished to make observations +on the surrounding country; and hard by +was an alley which led towards the margin of the +hill, and a summer-house formed of trellis-work and +covered with Indian linen, where he frequently repaired +for the purpose of bathing.</p> + +<p>The chroniclers of the period who write of the +crusade of St. Louis fully describe this palace. Indeed, +the appearance of the place was strongly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +impressed on the memory of the Crusaders. It was +there that Touran Chah, when on his way from Mansourah +to Damietta, halted to receive the congratulations +of the Moslem chiefs on the victory that had +been achieved over the Franks; there, in their company, +he celebrated his triumph by a grand banquet; +and there was enacted the terrible tragedy that +exposed the surviving pilgrims to new dangers and +fresh trials.</p> + +<p>By this time, indeed, the emirs and Mamelukes +had become so exasperated at the elevation of the +sultan's favourite courtiers that they vowed vengeance; +and, in order to justify their project, they +ascribed to him the most sinister designs. It was +asserted that many of the emirs were doomed to die +on a certain day; and that, in the midst of a nocturnal +orgy, Touran Chah had cut off the tops of +the flambeaux in his chamber, crying—'Thus shall +fly the heads of all the Mamelukes.' In order to +avenge herself for the neglect to which she was +exposed under the new reign, Chegger Edour, the +sultana who had played so important a part in the +last days of Melikul Salih, exerted her eloquence to +stimulate the discontent; and the emirs and Mamelukes, +having formed a conspiracy, only awaited a +convenient opportunity to complete their projects of +vengeance at a blow.</p> + +<p>It was the day after his arrival at Pharescour, on +which Touran Chah gave a banquet to the chiefs of +his army; and, as it happened, the company comprised +the Mamelukes and the emirs who were, or +who deemed themselves, in danger. It would seem<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +that everything went forward quietly and ceremoniously +till the feast was ended, and the sultan rose +to ascend to his chamber. Not a moment, however, +was then lost. As soon as Touran Chah moved from +table, Bibars Bendocdar, who carried the sultan's +sword, struck the first blow, and instantly the others +rushed furiously upon their destined victim. Touran +Chah parried the blow of the Mameluke chief with +his hand; but the weapon penetrated between two of +his fingers and cut up his arm.</p> + +<p>'My lords,' said he, taken by surprise; 'I make +my complaint against this man, who has endeavoured +to kill me.'</p> + +<p>'Better that you should be slain than live to +murder us, as you intend to do,' cried all present, +with the exception of an envoy of the caliph, who +had arrived from Bagdad, and appeared much terrified +at the scene so suddenly presented.</p> + +<p>Touran Chah looked round him in amazement; +and, as he did so, he was seized with terror. However, +the instinct of self-preservation did not desert +him. With a spring he bounded between the +motionless guards, escaped into the lawn, took refuge +in the tower, and looking from a window demanded +of the conspirators what they really wanted; but +they were not in a humour to spend time in talk.</p> + +<p>'Come down,' cried they; 'you cannot escape us.'</p> + +<p>'Assure me of safety, and I will willingly descend,' +said the sultan.</p> + +<p>At this stage the envoy of the caliph, having +mounted his horse, came forward as if to interfere; +but the conspirators menaced him with instant death<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +if he did not return to his tent, and, still keenly +bent on completing their work of murder, ordered +the sultan to come down.</p> + +<p>Touran Chah shook his head, as if declining the +invitation.</p> + +<p>'Fool,' cried the conspirators, scornfully, 'we have +the means of compelling you to descend, or to meet a +worse fate;' and without further parley they commenced +assailing the tower with Greek fire.</p> + +<p>The Greek fire caught the cloth and timber, and +immediately the whole was in a blaze. Touran +Chah could no longer hesitate. One hope remained +to him, namely to rush towards the Nile, to throw +himself into the water, and to take refuge on board +one of the vessels that he saw anchored near the shore. +Accordingly he leaped from the blazing tower, with the +intention of rushing across the lawn. But the toils +were upon him. A nail having caught his mantle, +he, after remaining for a moment suspended, fell to +the ground. Instantly sabres and swords waved over +him; and he clung in a supplicating posture to +Octai, one of the captains of his guard; but Octai +repulsed him with contempt. Nevertheless, the conspirators +hesitated; and they were still hesitating, +when Bibars Bendocdar, who was never troubled +either with fears or scruples, and who, indeed, had +struck the first blow, made a thrust so stern that +the sword remained sticking fast between the ribs of +the victim. Still resisting, however, the sultan contrived +to drag himself to the Nile, with a hope of +reaching the galleys from which the captive Crusaders +witnessed the outrage; but some of the Mamelukes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +followed him into the water; and close to the galley +in which the Lord of Joinville was, the heir of +Saladin—the last of the Eioubites—died miserably.</p> + +<p>It was now that the Mamelukes rushed into the +tent where Louis and his brothers were.</p> + +<p>'King,' cried Octai, pointing to his bloody sword, +'Touran Chah is no more. What will you give me +for having freed you from an enemy who meditated +your destruction as well as ours?'</p> + +<p>Louis vouchsafed no reply.</p> + +<p>'What!' cried the emir, furiously presenting the +point of his sword; 'know you not that I am master +of your person? Make me a knight, or thou art a +dead man.'</p> + +<p>'Make thyself a Christian, and I will make thee a +knight,' said Louis, calmly.</p> + +<p>Rather cowed than otherwise with his reception, +and with the demeanour of the royal captive, Octai +retired; and the French king and his brothers once +more breathed with as much freedom as men could +under the circumstances. But they were not long +left undisturbed. Scarcely had the Mameluke aspirant +for knighthood disappeared when the tent was +crowded with Saracens, who brandished their sabres +and threatened Louis with destruction.</p> + +<p>'Frenchman!' cried they, addressing the king, +wildly and fiercely; 'art thou ignorant of thy danger, +or what may be the fate that awaits thee? Pharescour +is not Mansourah, as events may convince thee +yet. Here thou mayest find a tomb instead of the +house of Lokman, and the two terrible angels, +Munkir and Nakir, instead of the Eunuch Sahil.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> + +<h3>PERILS AND SUSPENSE.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>THE Saracen chiefs, after having dyed their sabres +in the blood of the sultan, did not confine their +menaces and violent demonstrations to the tent in +which the captive King of France was lodged. With +swords drawn and battle-axes on their shoulders, +thirty of them boarded the galley where Joinville +was with the Count of Brittany, Sir Baldwin d'Ebelin, +and the Constable of Cyprus, and menaced them +with gestures and furious imprecations.</div> + +<p>'I asked Sir Baldwin d'Ebelin,' writes Joinville, +'what they were saying; and he, understanding +Saracenic, replied that they were come to cut off our +heads, and shortly after I saw a large body of our +men on board confessing themselves to a monk of +La Trinité, who had accompanied the Count of +Flanders. I no longer thought of any sin or evil I +had done, but that I was about to receive my death. +In consequence, I fell on my knees at the feet of one +of them, and making the sign of the cross, said "Thus +died St. Agnes." The Constable of Cyprus knelt +beside me, and confessed himself to me, and I gave +him such absolution as god was pleased to grant me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +the power of bestowing. But of all the things he +had said to me, when I rose up I could not remember +one of them.'</p> + +<p>'We were confined in the hold of the galleys,' +continues the chronicler, 'and laid heads and heels +together. We thought it had been so ordered because +they were afraid of attacking us in a body, and +that they would destroy us one at a time. This +danger lasted the whole night. I had my feet right +on the face of the Count of Brittany, whose feet, in +return, were beside my face. On the morrow we +were taken out of the hold, and the emirs sent to +inform us that we might renew the treaties we had +made with the sultan.'</p> + +<p>'So far, all seemed well. But the danger was not +yet over, as the Crusaders were destined to feel. At +first the form of the oaths to be taken by the king +and the emirs presented much difficulty; and, even +when it was settled, the emirs in council gravely discussed +the propriety of putting the French king and +his barons to death. Only one of them pleaded for +keeping faith; and his voice would have been drowned +in the clamour, but fortunately he used an argument +which appealed irresistibly to their cupidity.'</p> + +<p>'You may put these Franks to death if you will,' +said he; 'but reflect ere doing so that dead men pay +no ransom.'</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, it really seemed that after all the +Crusaders were doomed; and while they were on +board the galleys, and this discussion was proceeding, +an incident occurred which caused them to give +themselves up for lost.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p> + +<p>'One of the emirs that were against us,' says +Joinville, 'threatening we were to be slain, came to +the bank of the river, and shouted out in Saracen to +those who were on board our galley, and, taking off +his turban, made signs, and told them they were to +carry us back to Babylon. The anchors were instantly +raised, and we were carried a good league up the +river. This caused great grief to all of us, and +many tears fell from our eyes, for we now expected +nothing but death.'</p> + +<p>And what in the meantime was taking place in +Damietta?</p> + +<p>Nothing in truth could have exceeded the anxiety +which prevailed within the walls of that city, when +thither were carried tidings of the assassination of the +Sultan of Egypt, and of the new danger to which the +King of France and the captive Crusaders were +exposed.</p> + +<p>The aspect of affairs was indeed menacing; and it +was not till messengers from King Louis came to +announce that the treaty was to be maintained and +the city evacuated, that something like confidence +was restored. On the evening of Friday, Queen +Margaret, with the Countesses of Anjou, Poictiers, +and Artois, and the other ladies, went on board a +Genoese vessel. As night advanced, Oliver de +Thermes and all the Crusaders who had garrisoned +Damietta embarked on the Nile, and <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Geoffery'">Geoffrey</ins> de +Segrines, having brought the keys to the emirs, the +Saracens took possession. Next morning at daybreak +the Moslem standards were floating over tower +and turret. But still King Louis was in the hands<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +of his enemies, and still the emirs were debating +whether or not they ought to put him and the +companions of his captivity to death.</p> + +<p>At the mouth of the Nile, a Genoese galley +awaited the king; and, while every eye was strained +towards the shore with an anxiety which was not +without cause, Walter Espec and Bisset, the English +knight, stood on deck in no enviable frame of mind.</p> + +<p>'I mislike all this delay,' said Walter, more +agitated than he was wont to appear. 'What if, after +all, these emirs should prove false to their covenant?'</p> + +<p>'In truth,' replied Bisset, 'it would not amaze me +so much as many things that have come to pass of +late; and both the king and his nobles may yet find +to their cost that their hopes of freedom are dashed; +for we all know the truth of the proverb as to there +being so much between the cup and the lip.'</p> + +<p>At this moment they observed the galleys, on +board of which Joinville and other captive Crusaders +were, move up the Nile, and each uttered an exclamation +of horror.</p> + +<p>'Now may Holy Katherine be our aid,' cried +Walter, 'for our worst anticipations are like to be +realised.'</p> + +<p>'The saints forbid,' replied Bisset; 'and yet I am +not so hopeful as I might be, for I have long since +learned not to holloa till out of the wood.'</p> + +<p>It was indeed a critical moment for Louis and his +nobles; but in the council of the emirs the milder +views ultimately prevailed, and Bisset and Walter +Espec observed with delight that the galleys which +had moved up the Nile were brought back towards<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +Damietta, and that Louis, attended by a multitude +of Saracens who watched his movements in silence, +was approaching. Immediately the Genoese galley +moved towards the shore, and Louis, having been +joined by the Count of Anjou and the Lord of +Joinville, stepped on board, while the other knights +and nobles hastened to embark in the vessels that +lay in wait for them. As soon as the king was on +board, Bisset made a signal; and, as he did so, eighty +archers with their crossbows strung appeared on +deck so suddenly that the crowd of Saracens who +had been pressing forward immediately dispersed in +alarm, and the galley moved from the shore. Ere long, +the Count of Poictiers, who had remained as a +hostage in Damietta till the ransom of the Crusaders +was paid, came on board; and, all being now in readiness +for leaving the place where he had experienced +so many misfortunes and so much misery, the saint-king +made a sign to the mariners, the sails were +given to the wind, and the fleet of the armed pilgrims—the +wreck of a brilliant army—glided away towards +Syria. But thousands of the survivors still remained +in captivity, and, albeit Louis was conscientiously +bent on ransoming them, their prospect was gloomy, +and the thought of their unhappy plight clouded the +saint-king's brow.</p> + +<p>And sad was the heart of Walter Espec, as he +recalled the day when he landed at Damietta side +by side with Guy Muschamp; and for the hundredth +time asked himself mournfully whether his brother-in-arms +had died for his faith, or whether a worse +fate had befallen him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p> + +<p>But why linger on the Egyptian shore amid scenes +suggestive of reminiscences so melancholy and so +dismal—reminiscences of misfortunes and calamities +and losses not to be repaired? Let us on to the +Syrian coast, and gladden our eyes with a sight of +the white walls of Acre, washed by the blue waters +of the Mediterranean.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> + +<h3>ACRE.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>AT the time when King Louis, sad but unsubdued, +left Damietta and steered for the Syrian coast, +Acre, situated on a promontory at the foot of Mount +Carmel and washed by the blue waters of the Mediterranean, +was a place of great strength, and renowned +throughout Christendom for riches and +splendour. For a long period previous to its destruction +by the Mameluke Sultan—indeed, from the time +of the seizure of Jerusalem by Saladin the Great—Acre +was regarded as of higher importance than any +city in the Christian kingdom of which Jerusalem +had been the metropolis; and thither, when driven +from other towns which they had called their own +in the days of Godfrey and the Baldwins, most of +the Christians carried such wealth as they could +save from the grasp of sultans and emirs. Acre +had, in fact, come to be regarded as the capital of +the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and by far the finest of +the cities in Syria.</div> + +<p>Naturally enough, a capital so wealthy was rather +tempting to men bent on conquest. But Acre had +the advantage of being strongly fortified. On the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +land side it was surrounded by a double wall, with +towers and battlements, and a broad and deep ditch, +which prevented access to its ramparts, and towards +the sea by a fortress at the entrance of the harbour, +by the castle of the Templars, and by a stronghold +known as 'The King's Tower;' and on the whole, +the fortifications were such that no foe, not even such +as Bibars Bendocdar, could have calculated on finding +the place an easy prey.</p> + +<p>Nor could the aspect of the city seem otherwise +than strange and picturesque to such of the armed +pilgrims as landed with the saint-king beneath its +white walls, washed by the blue waters of the Mediterranean. +The interior was chiefly occupied by the +houses of traders and artisans; but, between the two +ramparts that defended the city on the east, stood the +castles and palaces of the King of Cyprus, the +Prince of Antioch, the representatives of France and +Germany, and other men of high rank. The houses +were built of square stones, all rising to an equal +height; and most of them were surrounded with a +terrace; and inside they were luxurious and resplendent, +and lighted with windows of painted glass, +which modified the glare of the oriental sun. Even +the greatest kings in Europe could boast of nothing +to compare with the pictures and marbles and rich +furniture which the mansions of the magnates of +Acre presented to the eyes of the weary and desponding +Crusaders.</p> + +<p>And Acre was not without busy life and striking +ceremonies to give variety to the scene. The port +was crowded with ships from Europe and Asia; the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +warehouses were stored with merchandise; the +market-place was lively with bustle and excitement; +monks, sailors, pirates, pilgrims, merchants, and warriors +appeared in the streets; the squares and public +places were screened from the heat by silken coverings; +and there on certain days the magnates of the +city, wearing golden crowns and vestments glittering +with precious stones, walked to show themselves to +the people, attended by splendid trains composed of +men varying in language and manners, but unfortunately +separated by jealousies and rivalries that +frequently led to riot and bloodshed.</p> + +<p>Around Acre, the country was fertile and fair to the +eye of the gazer. Outside the walls were beautiful +gardens where the citizens were wont to repair for +recreation; and farther away groves and pleasure +houses, and scattered villages and orchards, gave +variety to the landscape.</p> + +<p>Such was Acre when King Louis landed there with +his queen and the remains of his once brilliant army; +and when Walter Espec, penniless and pensive, but +still hoping to hear tidings of his lost brother, leapt +ashore with Bisset the English knight, and returned +thanks to heaven for having escaped from the power +of the Saracens and the perils of the sea.</p> + +<p>'Sir knight,' said Walter, who was in a desponding +mood, 'we have now, thanks be to God reached a +place of safety; and yet, beshrew me if my heart +does not fail me; for we are in a strange land, without +money, without horses, almost without raiment +befitting our rank.'</p> + +<p>'In truth,' replied the knight, 'I own that our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +plight is not enviable. But it is not desperate. Still +I am in the service of King Louis, and have claims +which he cannot disregard; and, credit me, a king's +name is a tower of strength. As for you, for lack of +a more potent protector, attach yourself to me as +squire, and we can struggle together against adverse +fortune. So droop not, but take courage, my brave +Englishman; and we will, with the aid of God and our +lady, so contrive to make the best of our circumstances +as to turn matters to our advantage.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2> + +<h3>A RESCUE.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>WALTER Espec, albeit since leaving England he +had enacted the part of squire to two of the +foremost earls in Christendom, was too much in need +of a protector not to accept Bisset's offer with gratitude; +and the English knight exercised his influence +with such effect that both of them were soon provided +with horses and raiment befitting their rank, and made +a creditable figure among the Crusaders who thronged +Acre. Indeed Walter, having now quite recovered +from his illness, attracted much notice, and won the +reputation of being one of the handsomest Englishmen +who had ever appeared in the Syrian city.</div> + +<p>Nevertheless, Walter was gloomy and despondent. +All his enquiries after Osbert, his lost brother, +resulted in disappointment. Guy Muschamp he +regarded as one to be numbered with the dead; and +Adeline de Brienne, who since their unexpected +meeting at Damietta, where in days of dismay and +danger they had conversed on equal terms, was now, +as the grand-daughter of a King of Jerusalem, treated +as a princess, and moved in too high a sphere to be +approached by a simple squire. At first he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +astonished to find that they were separated by so wide +a gulf, and the Espec pride made him almost disdainful. +Still, the fair demoiselle was present in all +his visions by day and his dreams by night; and +while consoling himself with building castles in the +air when he was to reside in baronial state with her +as his 'lady and companion,' he was under the +necessity of contenting himself in the meantime with +worshipping at a distance, as an Indian pays homage +to his star. Ere long, however, fortune, which had +ever been friendly to Walter, gave him an opportunity +of acquiring a new claim on Adeline's gratitude.</p> + +<p>It was about St. John the Baptist's day, in the +year 1251, and the King of France, having undertaken +an expedition against the Saracens, was at +Joppa, while the queen and the ladies of the Crusade +remained at Acre, which was garrisoned by a large +body of infantry under the command of the Constable +of Jerusalem, and a small party of cavalry under +Bisset, whose courage and prowess still, in spite of +his recklessness, made him a favourite with the royal +saint. No danger, however, appeared to threaten the +city. The citizens were occupying themselves as usual; +and some of the ladies had gone to walk in the +gardens outside the gate, when suddenly a body of +Saracens, who had marched from Joppa, presented +themselves before the walls, and sent to inform the +constable that if he did not give them fifty thousand +bezants by way of tribute, they would destroy the +gardens. The threat was alarming, but the constable +replied that he would give them nothing; and having +sent a young knight of Genoa to order them off, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> +left the city and marched to the mount, where was +the churchyard of St. Nicholas, to defend the gardens; +while bowmen posted between them and the town +kept up a brisk discharge of arrows, and Bisset at +the head of a band of horsemen, attended by Walter +Espec, charged forward and skirmished with the +Saracens so as to retard their approach. Nevertheless, +the Saracens continued to advance, and the +Christian magnates who had been walking in the +squares came to the battlements, and with anxiety on +their faces watched the feats of arms that were performed, +and especially those wrought by the young +knight of Genoa.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Bisset and Walter Espec, while skirmishing +with the Saracens, skirted their lines and made a +circuit of the garden with the object of defending a +gate by which it was feared an entrance might be +effected. And in truth they found they had come +too late to prevent the evil that was apprehended. +Just as they approached their ears were hailed with +loud cries of 'Help! help!' and to their horror they +perceived that ten or twelve Saracens, well mounted, +were issuing from the garden, one of whom was +forcibly carrying off a lady without regard to her +screams or her struggles.</p> + +<p>'In the name of wonder!' said Bisset, staring in +amaze, 'what is this I see?'</p> + +<p>'By Holy Katherine!' exclaimed Walter wildly, +'the pagan dogs are carrying off a lady, and she is +no other than Adeline de Brienne. To the rescue, +sir knight! to the rescue!'</p> + +<p>'Hold,' cried Bisset, 'or you will ruin all. See<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +you not that their horses are swifter than ours, and +we must go cunningly to work? Patience, Walter, +patience. We must make a circuit and intercept +them, without their being aware that we are in +pursuit.'</p> + +<p>Walter's blood boiled; his head seemed about to +turn; and, in spite of the knight's admonition, he +could hardly restrain his impetuosity as he saw the +Saracens making off with their prize. Bisset, however, +was calm, but, as usual, resolute; and it was +not till he had posted part of his cavalry at the gate +to prevent further intrusions that, at the head of +half-a-dozen horsemen, he deliberately went in pursuit, +and in such a direction that the Saracens had +no suspicions that they were pursued. Indeed, they +deemed themselves so secure that they gradually +slackened their pace, and at length halted while two +of their number rode back to ascertain the result of +the combat that was taking place before Acre.</p> + +<p>And what was the state of affairs before the +city?</p> + +<p>'As the Genoese knight was retiring with his body +of infantry,' says Joinville, 'a Saracen suddenly +moved by his courage came boldly up to him, and +said in his Saracenic tongue that if he pleased he +would tilt with him. The knight answered with +pride that he would receive him; but, when he was +on the point of beginning his course, he perceived on +his left hand eight or nine Saracens, who had halted +there to see the event of the tournament. The +knight, therefore, instead of directing his course +towards the Saracen who had offered to tilt with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +him, made for this troop, and, striking one of them +with his lance, pierced his body through and killed +him on the spot. He then retreated to our men, +pursued by the other Saracens, one of whom gave +him a heavy blow on his helmet with a battle-axe. +In return, the knight struck the Saracen so +severely on the head that he made his turban fly off. +Another Saracen thought to give the knight a mortal +blow with his Turkish blade, but he twisted his body +in such wise that it missed him, and the knight, by a +back-hand blow on the Saracen's arm, made his +sword fall to the ground, and then made a good +retreat with the infantry. These three famous actions +did the Genoese knight perform in the presence of +the constable, and before all the principal persons of +the town who were assembled on the battlements.'</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, the Saracens advanced with 'fierce +faces threatening war,' when suddenly a band of +those military monks who at the cry of battle armed +'with faith within and steel without,' and long white +mantles over their chain mail, spurred with lances +erect from the Castle of St. Katherine near the gate +of St. Anthony, and, interposing between the Saracens +and the city, formed a barrier that seemed impenetrable. +They were the knights of the Order of St. +Katherine of Mount Sinai, an Order instituted in +honour of that saint in 1063, and bearing on their +snowy mantles the instruments by which she suffered +martyrdom—the half were armed with spikes and +traversed by a sword stained with blood.</p> + +<p>The Saracens halted in surprise at the sight of the +Knights of St. Katherine, who were supposed at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +time to be at the Castle of Kakhow; and, as if to provoke +a conflict that they might have the satisfaction +of conquering, one of the warrior monks, who seemed +very young, at a signal from the marshal of the Order +left his companions, and spurring gallantly forward, +with marvellous skill unhorsed two of the Saracens +without breaking his lance. On this, the leader of +the Saracens, perceiving that the knight was alone, +rode forward to meet him; but the youth charged +him so fiercely that he was fain to retreat desperately +wounded, and then returned leisurely to his comrades.</p> + +<p>After some hesitation the Saracens withdrew, and +the Knights of St. Katherine rode calmly back to +their castle.</p> + +<p>And now let us follow Bisset and Walter Espec.</p> + +<p>About the distance of a league from Acre is a +place which was then known as Passe-Poulain, where, +shaded by foliage, were many beautiful springs of +water, with which the sugar-canes were irrigated. +It was at Passe-Poulain that the Saracens who +carried off Adeline de Brienne halted to await +the report of their comrades, and, little thinking of +their danger, dismounted to quench their thirst and +rest their steeds; the Saracen who had charge of +the damsel alone remaining on horseback, and tenaciously +keeping hold of his prize.</p> + +<p>Suddenly all of them started in surprise; for one +of the horses raised his head and neighed; and the +Saracens had scarcely ceased their conversation and +begun to listen, when, with loud shouts of 'Holy +cross!' Bisset and his riders emerged from the foliage<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +and dashed in amongst them. Resistance was vain, +but the Saracens turned to bay, and a bloody fray, +in which Bisset's axe did terrible execution, was the +consequence. Only one attempted to escape,—he +who had before him on his saddle the almost lifeless +form of Adeline de Brienne; and after him Walter +Espec, his sword drawn and his spur in his horse's +flank, rode with furious shouts.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 289px;"> +<img src="images/illus_223.png" width="289" height="400" alt=""Be of good cheer, noble Demoiselle," said Walter, "you are saved."—p. 220." title=""Be of good cheer, noble Demoiselle," said Walter, "you are saved."—p. 220." /> +<span class="caption">"Be of good cheer, noble Demoiselle," said Walter, "you are saved."—p. 220.</span> +</div> + +<p>It was a keen chase, both flyer and pursuer +urging their steeds to the utmost; and under ordinary +circumstances the Saracen would have escaped; but, +hampered with his burden, and unable to exert his +equestrian skill, he soon found that his pursuer was +gaining on him rapidly, and turned to take the chance +of an encounter. Fearful of hurting the damsel, but +perceiving that even this must be hazarded, Walter +met him in full course; and, exercising all his art in +arms to elude a blow fiercely aimed at him, he +dealt one on the Saracen's turban, which stretched +the eastern warrior lifeless on the ground, and then +leaping from his steed, quick as thought caught the +form of the half-fainting maiden just as she was +falling.</p> + +<p>'Be of good cheer, noble demoiselle,' said Walter. +'You are saved.'</p> + +<p>But Adeline de Brienne did not reply. She had +fainted; and Walter, taking her in his strong arms, +bore her tenderly to one of the springs of water, and +was gradually bringing her back to consciousness +when Bisset and his riders, having routed the other +Saracens, came up in doubt as to the issue of the +chase. Having succeeded in restoring the damsel, they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> +placed her on Walter's steed, and, the squire leading +her rein, conducted her to Acre.</p> + +<p>'On my faith, sir squire,' said Bisset with a smile +of peculiar significance, as Walter unbuckled his +armour, 'I marvel at your good fortune in regard +to the noble demoiselle, and perceive that I was +right in saying that you had been born with luck on +your side. A few more such exploits, and you will be +known to fame.'</p> + +<p>'At all events, sir knight,' replied Walter, trying +not to appear too much elated, 'we can lay ourselves +down to rest to-night with all the better conscience +that we have this day performed an action worthy +of minstrels' praise.'</p> + +<p>'Marry,' exclaimed Bisset seriously, 'I look to deriving +from this adventure some benefit more substantial +than a sound sleep or minstrels' flattery; and, to +speak truth, I am somewhat weary of this saint-king +and this purposeless Crusade, and would fain go to +aid the Emperor of Constantinople against the Greeks +and the Turks; and Baldwin de Courtenay could not +but accord a favourable reception to warriors who +had saved his kinswoman from the Saracens. What +thinkest thou of a movement to Constantinople?'</p> + +<p>Walter mused, but did not answer.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXV.</h2> + +<h3>MISSION TO BAGDAD.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>AFTER the assassination of Touran Chah at +Pharescour, the Mamelukes were very much at +a loss on whom to bestow the crown so long worn by +the chiefs of this family of Saladin. In their perplexity +they elevated Chegger Edour to the throne, +and proclaimed her 'Queen of the Mussulmen.' +But the affairs of the sultana did not go smoothly. +Moslems were aroused at the elevation of a woman +to sovereignty; and the Caliph of Bagdad, when +asked to send the rich robe which the caliphs were +in the habit of sending by way of investiture to the +Sultans of Egypt, demanded with indignation if a +man capable of reigning could no longer be found. +Every day the confusion increased and the troubles +multiplied.</div> + +<p>In order to make matters more pleasant, the +sultana associated a Mameluke named Turcoman +with her in the government, and even condescended +so far as to unite herself with him in marriage. +But the aspect of affairs became gradually more +alarming, and Chegger Edour, yielding to the +prevailing discontent, abdicated in favour of her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +husband. Turcoman, however, found that his crown +was somewhat thorny; and at a critical period he +aroused the jealousy of his wife by aspiring to wed +an oriental princess.</p> + +<p>The sultana vowed vengeance, and hastened to +execute it by causing Turcoman to be assassinated in +his bath. One night an emir, hastily summoned to +the palace, found Chegger Edour seated on a couch +with her feet resting on the dead body of her +husband. The emir uttered an exclamation of horror; +but she calmly stated that she had sent for him to +offer her hand and her crown. The emir fled in +terror, and next day the mother of the murdered +man had the sultana put to death by her slaves, and +caused her corpse to be thrown into a ditch.</p> + +<p>A Mameluke named Koutouz was now elevated to +the throne, and signalised himself by a victory over +the Moguls or Tartars, hordes of wandering warriors +who were now making themselves terrible both to +Europe and Asia. Unfortunately for Koutouz, however, +he at that time renewed a truce with the +Christians of Syria, and raised the anger of his +soldiers to such a height that his death was decreed. +Accordingly, one day, when he had ridden out from +Sallhie to hunt, a Mameluke chief suddenly spurred +into the camp, his garments stained with blood.</p> + +<p>'I have slain the sultan,' said he.</p> + +<p>'Well, then, reign in his stead,' replied the bystanders.</p> + +<p>The Mameluke chief was Bibars Bendocdar; and, +having been proclaimed as successor to the man he +had murdered, he ascended the throne, and, as sultan<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> +of Egypt and Syria, began to govern with despotic +power.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Louis was anxious to redeem from +captivity the Crusaders who had been left in Egypt, +and sent ambassadors to Cairo with the money that +had been agreed on as their ransom. But the ambassadors +could hardly get a hearing. At length +they did obtain the release of four hundred of the +Christian prisoners, most of whom had paid their own +ransom; but when they pressed for the liberation of +the others, they were plainly told that the King of +France might deem himself fortunate that he had +regained his own liberty; and that if he gave more +trouble, he might expect the Mamelukes to besiege +him at Acre. On hearing this Louis was much perplexed, +and consulted his nobles, especially the Lord +of Joinville.</p> + +<p>'Sire,' said Joinville, after some consideration, 'this +is a serious question, and one not to be hastily disposed +of; for I remember that when I was on the +eve of leaving home, my cousin, the Seigneur de +Bollaincourt, said to me, "Now you are going beyond +the seas, but take care how you return; no +knight, either rich or poor, can come back without +shame, if he leaves behind him, in the hands of the +Saracens, any of the common people who leave home +in his company." Now,' added the seneschal, 'these +unhappy captives were in the service of the king, as +well as the service of God, and never can they escape +from captivity if the king should abandon them.'</p> + +<p>On hearing this Louis was more perplexed than +ever. In his anxiety, however, he bethought him of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +the caliph, and resolved, great as was the distance, +to send ambassadors to Bagdad, where reigned Musteazem +the Miser, the thirty-seventh of his dynasty.</p> + +<p>Now, albeit Moslems were in the habit of paying +great reverence to the caliph as the successor of +Mahomet, he exercised very little substantial power +over the fierce warriors who fought for Islamism. +Nor, indeed, had the history of the caliphate been +such as to add to the sacredness of the office, or to +increase the superstitious veneration with which it +was regarded. For several centuries, the East witnessed +the spectacle of rival caliphs, both professing +to be the representatives of the prophet, and each +claiming all the privileges attaching to the character. +The rivals were known as the Fatimites and the +Abassides. The Fatimites claimed the caliphate as +being the heirs of Ali, Mahomet's son-in-law, and +established their throne at Cairo. The Abassides, +who were Mahomet's male heirs, maintained their +state at Bagdad. At length, in 1170, the struggle +for supremacy was terminated by Saladin the Great, +who killed the Caliph of Cairo with his mace, and +rendered the Caliph of Bagdad undisputed chief of +all Moslems; and, from that time, the Abassides, +though sunk in effeminacy, and much given to +sensual indulgences, continued to exercise their vague +privileges and their shadowy authority.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, King Louis, bent on obtaining the +relief of the captive Crusaders, despatched ambassadors +to Bagdad to treat with the caliph. The +ambassadors were a Templar, and Bisset the English +knight; and with them, in their train, went Walter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> +Espec, now, at length, hopeful of ascertaining something +about his brother's fate.</p> + +<p>It was not without encountering considerable danger, +and having to endure much fatigue, that the +Templar and the English knight, under the guidance +of Beltran the renegade, who had opportunely appeared +at Acre, and whom Bisset had pressed into +the service, traversed the country; and, after many +days' travel, drew nigh to the capital of the caliphate, +which had been built, in the eighth century, by Al +Mansour, one of the Abasside caliphs, out of the +ruins of Ctesiphon, and afterwards enlarged and +adorned by Haroun Alraschid, the great caliph of his +dynasty.</p> + +<p>But the journey had not been without its novelty +and excitement; and Walter Espec was riding by the +side of Beltran the renegade, towards whom, in spite +of his prejudices as a Crusader, he felt the gratitude +due to a man who had saved his life, when he was +cut down at Mansourah. At present he was much +interested with the account given by the renegade of +the ostriches or camel-birds, and eager to learn how +they were hunted.</p> + +<p>'And so, good Beltran,' said he, 'you have actually +hunted this bird, whose height is gigantic, whose cry +at a distance resembles the lion's, and which is to be +found in parched and desolate tracts, deserted even +by antelopes and beasts of prey.'</p> + +<p>'In truth have I,' replied Beltran.</p> + +<p>'I envy you,' said Walter; 'nothing would please +me more than such an enterprise.'</p> + +<p>'Nevertheless,' rejoined the renegade, 'it is somewhat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +irksome, and requires much patience. But the +Arabs have a proverb, that patience is the price that +must be paid for all success, and act accordingly. +They have horses trained for the purpose; and, when +they first start the ostrich, they go off at an easy +gallop, so as to keep the bird in view, without going +so near as to alarm it. On discovering that it is pursued, +the ostrich begins to move away, gently at first, +but gradually increasing its speed, running with +wings extended, as if flying, and keeps doubling. It +generally takes two days to run one down; but the +hunter gets the best of the race at last; and, when +the ostrich finds itself exhausted and beaten, it +buries its head in the sand; and the hunters, coming +up, kill it with their clubs, taking care not to spoil +the feathers.'</p> + +<p>'On my faith,' said Walter, 'I do own that such a +pursuit would be irksome; and I hardly think that +my patience would brook so much delay.'</p> + +<p>'However,' said Beltran, suddenly raising his hand +and pointing forward, 'there lies before you the city +of the caliph.'</p> + +<p>Bagdad, as the reader may be aware, is situated +on the Tigris, at the distance of two hundred miles +above the junction of that river with the Euphrates, +and the Tigris is here about six hundred feet in +breadth. The city, which is of an oblong shape, and +of which the streets are so narrow that not more than +two horsemen can ride abreast, is surrounded with a +high wall, flanked with towers, some of an immense +size, built by the early caliphs; and several old buildings +remain to attest its ancient magnificence—such<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +as the Gate of the Talisman, a lofty minaret, +built in 785; the tomb of Zobeida, the most beloved +of the wives of Haroun Alraschid; and the famous +Madressa College, founded in 1233 by the Caliph +Mustenatser.</p> + +<p>No traces, however, are left of the palace so long +inhabited by the caliphs; nor does anything mark +the place where, though its glory was about to +depart, it still stood in all its pride, with the black +banner of the Abassides floating over its portals, +when the ambassadors of St. Louis reached Bagdad, +and craved an audience of the heir of the prophet. +It was a sight to impress even men accustomed to +the wealth and splendour of Acre; and they thanked +God for having conducted them in safety to a place +where there was a prospect of food and rest.</p> + +<p>But Walter Espec was not thinking of such things; +his whole mind was occupied with the question, +whether or not his lost brother was a captive within +these walls.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXVI.</h2> + +<h3>THE LAST OF THE CALIPHS.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>ASTONISHED as the Caliph Musteazem might +be at the audacity which prompted a Frankish +king to send ambassadors to the heir of the prophet, +he did not venture to decline receiving the message +of a prince who so recently had threatened the +empire of Egypt with destruction, and might have +the power of doing so again. Besides, Musteazem +was not in the most celestial humour with the +Mamelukes, who seemed inclined to defy his and +every other person's authority; and, on hearing that +the result of all the disorders and revolutions had +been the elevation of Bibars Bendocdar to the throne +of Saladin, he remarked, in homely oriental phrase, +'when the pot boils, the scum rises to the top.' +Above all, Musteazem was a miser, and covetous to +the last degree; and when it was explained to him by +his grand vizier, whom the Templar had already +bribed with a purse of gold, that the King of France +was liberal in money matters, and was ready to pay +handsomely for the ransom of his captive countrymen, +the caliph's ruling passion prevailed—his +avarice got the better of his dignity; and, without<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +farther words, he consented to grant an audience to +the Franks.</div> + +<p>Meanwhile, the ambassadors and their attendants +were admitted within the gates of the palace, and +conducted into an immense garden, there to wait +till suitable apartments were assigned them. And +this garden made them stare with wonder; its regal +magnificence was so surprising as to make them start +and stop simultaneously, and to make Bisset exclaim—</p> + +<p>'Of a truth, the lines of this pope of the infidels +have fallen in pleasant places. None of King Henry's +palaces can boast of anything like this. Surely it +must be the terrestrial paradise.'</p> + +<p>Now, this garden might well surprise the ambassadors. +In the centre was a kiosk of the richest +architecture, constructed entirely of marble and alabaster, +with an arcade composed of countless marble +pillars. In the court was a marble reservoir, +surrounded with marble balustrades, which at each +angle opened on a flight of stairs, guarded by lions +and crocodiles sculptured of white marble; and +alabaster baths with taps of gold. On one side of +the garden was a large aviary; on the other a huge +elephant, chained to a tree. The walks were set in +mosaic of coloured pebbles, in all kinds of fanciful +patterns; and around were groves, bowers, arbours, +and trellis-covered paths, with streams, fountains, +hedges of box and myrtle, flowers, cypresses, odoriferous +plants, and trees groaning under the weight of +lemons, oranges, citrons, and fruit in great variety. +It was more like such a scene as magicians are supposed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +to conjure up, than reality; and the Crusaders +gazed for a while with silent admiration.</p> + +<p>'On my faith,' said Bisset, at length breaking the +silence, 'this is marvellous to behold; and yet, +had I the ear of the pope of the infidels, I should +recommend an addition which would be to the +purpose. I mean such a statue of the goddess +Minerva as once stood in the great square of Constantinople.'</p> + +<p>'And wherefore?'</p> + +<p>'Because Minerva is the goddess who presides +over prudence and valour; and my eyes have deceived +me if, in this city, there is not a lack of both. +Marked you not, as we rode along, that the place +is well nigh without defences and fighting men; +and think you that, with such spoil in prospect, the +Mamelukes, not to mention the Moguls, would +hesitate about seizing it?'</p> + +<p>'You err,' replied the Templar: 'the caliph, as you +say, is the pope of the infidels, and the Mamelukes +hold everything he possesses as sacred.'</p> + +<p>'So did they last century,' remarked Bisset, elevating +his shoulders; 'and yet Saladin killed a +caliph with his mace; and as for the Moguls, you +know they are almost Christians, and Father Rubruquis +is now in Tartary, completing their conversion. +Beshrew me, sir Templar, if I deem not this caliph +foolhardy to run the risk of being attacked, without +fighting men to defend him.'</p> + +<p>As the English knight spoke, an officer of the +caliph appeared to conduct the ambassadors to their +lodgings; and they, having refreshed themselves with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> +the bath, and with food, were invited by the grand +vizier to repair to the presence of the caliph.</p> + +<p>It was not, however, without much ceremony, and +some mystery, that the Templar and the English +knight were admitted into the interior of a palace +within whose precincts no Christian, save as a captive, +had ever before set foot. First, they were +guided through dark passages, guarded by armed +Ethiopians, and then into open courts so richly and +beautifully adorned, that they could not refrain from +expressing their admiration.</p> + +<p>'Certes,' exclaimed Bisset, halting, 'the caliph +must, of all princes, be the richest; and I should +not much marvel to hear that he had discovered the +philosopher's stone, which turns everything into gold, +and of which my countryman, Roger Bacon, is said +to be in search. Nevertheless, he does not seem to +have studied the Roman poet, who tells us that +treasure is hardly worth having, unless it is properly +used.'</p> + +<p>'In truth, sir knight,' said the Templar, 'the +farther we go, the greater is the splendour and state.'</p> + +<p>At length the ambassadors reached a magnificent +chamber, where the caliph awaited them. At first, +however, he was concealed from them by a curtain +wrought with pearls. But the grand vizier thrice +prostrated himself to the ground; and, as he did so, +the traverse was drawn aside, and the caliph appeared +arrayed in gorgeous robes, seated on a throne of +gold, and surrounded by his eunuchs, who seemed +both surprised and grieved to see Christians in that +place and presence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span></p> + +<p>And now the grand vizier kissed the caliph's hand, +and, presenting the ambassadors, explained their +errand. A long conversation, which was carried on +chiefly by the Templar and the grand vizier, followed; +and the caliph having expressed his willingness to +treat, the grand vizier desired him, in token of his +good faith, to give the ambassadors his hand. Musteazem, +however, shook his head, to indicate that he +was not prepared to derogate so far from his dignity. +At length, after some persuasion, he consented to +give them his hand, gloved.</p> + +<p>'That will do,' said the grand vizier.</p> + +<p>'I fear not,' replied the Templar, hesitating.</p> + +<p>'Sir,' said Bisset, addressing the caliph—for by +this time the English knight had recovered all his +reckless audacity, and felt quite as much at home as +if he had been in the palace of Westminster, and +speaking to the good King Henry—'truth makes no +holes to hide herself in; and princes, if they will +covenant, must deal fairly and openly. Give us, +therefore, your hand, if you mean to treat; we will +make no bargains with your glove.'</p> + +<p>But the caliph, still unsatisfied, stood upon his +dignity, and refused to be persuaded. However, at +the instance of the grand vizier, he consented to +consider the subject, and promise the ambassadors +another audience on the morrow. But who can tell +what a day may bring forth? Ere the morrow, an +event occurred which raised more important questions +than whether he could, without degradation, +give his ungloved hand to a Templar and an English +knight.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXVII.</h2> + +<h3>A RECOGNITION.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>WHEN the Templar and the English knight left +the lodgings that had been assigned to them +in the palace of Bagdad to enter the presence of the +caliph, and were honoured with the audience described, +Walter Espec, excited by the novelty of his +situation, thinking of his lost brother, and bearing in +mind that he had a mission to accomplish, strolled, +heedless of rules or regulations, into the garden of +the palace, and took his way along one of the walks, +set in mosaic-coloured pebbles, towards the kiosk. +He had not proceeded far, however, when he perceived, +coming from the opposite direction, six youths, +apparently about his own age. All were so fettered +as to be impeded in their walking, and seemed to be +under the charge of an aged Saracen, who, in his +turban and flowing robes, looked a most venerable +personage.</div> + +<p>'Christian captives, as I live,' muttered Walter, +compassionately.</p> + +<p>Of the six youths, five paced moodily along, with +their eyes bent sadly on the ground; the sixth +neither seemed sad, nor had his eyes bent on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +ground, but held his head aloft with the air of one +whom circumstances could not depress; and Walter +felt his heart beat and his brain whirl, and stopped +suddenly, with an exclamation of surprise, as in this +youth he recognised an old acquaintance.</p> + +<p>Immediately it appeared that the recognition was +mutual. Indeed, the captive no sooner observed +Walter than, disregarding the remonstrances of the +old Saracen, and forgetful for the moment of his +chains, he broke away from his companions, and +hobbling, not without danger of a fall, fairly flung +himself into the Boy Crusader's arms.</p> + +<p>'Oh, good Walter,' exclaimed he, 'what a surprise! +The idea of your being here, and at a time when +they are threatening to put me to death because +I will not embrace the filthy religion of their false +prophet. But, thanks to our lady the Virgin, I now +feel that I am saved.'</p> + +<p>'In truth, brave Guy,' replied Walter, much affected, +'you are saved, if my efforts can save you. +I have mourned for you as for one dead; and I swear +by holy Katherine, who hath preserved me miraculously +through manifold dangers, that if I fail I +remain to share your fate, for weal or for woe. But +how came you hither?'</p> + +<p>'By St. John of Beverley,' answered Guy, 'not +with my own goodwill, as you may swear on the +Evangelists. I was dragged out of the galley of the +Lord of Joinville, and, with my hands chained behind +my back, I was, in that base, unworthy plight, +led captive to Cairo; and, when the Mamelukes +killed their sultan, and the sultana, that dark-eyed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +woman, who outdoes Jezebel in wickedness, wished +to propitiate the caliph, she sent me and five other +Christian prisoners whom you see as a peace-offering. +And so,' added Guy, looking down at his fetters, +'here you see me, an Anglo-Norman gentleman, of +great name, in captivity and chains, and threatened +with a cruel death; which, however, I would fain +escape; for, tempting as may be the prospect of the +crown of martyrdom, beshrew me, good Walter, if at +my age I deem not life too sweet to part with +willingly.'</p> + +<p>And in spite of his fetters and his perilous plight, +Guy looked as blithe and gay as he was wont to do +in the tiltyard of the castle of Wark.</p> + +<p>'By the Holy Cross,' said Walter, gravely, 'I cannot +pretend to make light of the business; and yet I +am not without hope; for a Templar, and Bisset, the +stout knight whom I now serve, have come from the +good King Louis as ambassadors to the caliph, and +they will not fail you. But credit this, at least, that +if the worst comes to the worst I will remain in this +place, and not leave it—save in your company—tide +what may.'</p> + +<p>Guy was about to protest against Walter sacrificing +himself to friendship; but further conversation +was prevented by the approach of the aged Saracen; +and Guy, however reluctant, was fain to rejoin the +companions of his captivity. Walter, however, followed +their steps, and watched their movements, till +they disappeared in a door contiguous to that part +of the palace in which the ambassadors were lodged +with their train. But, warned by Beltran, the renegade,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +that it would be prudent to confine himself to +the quarters assigned, he returned to his lodgings, +and there, musing over this unexpected meeting with +his brother-in-arms, awaited Bisset's return.</p> + +<p>At length the English knight appeared. But he +did not seem quite himself. The frank and joyous +expression which characterised him had deserted +his countenance, and he looked a changed man. +Haughty sternness sat on his brow; his eye-brows +were elevated; his eye glanced flame; his nostrils +breathed fire; and he clenched and opened his hand +excitedly, as if contemplating some ruthless deed, as +he strode into the apartment and seized Walter's arm.</p> + +<p>'Sir knight,' said Walter, amazed, and almost +terrified, 'what aileth thee?'</p> + +<p>'By the might of Mary!' exclaimed the knight +hurriedly and sternly, 'I have seen a sight that has +roused all the Norman within me, and made me +thirst for gold and pant for conquest.'</p> + +<p>'And what of the caliph?' asked Walter.</p> + +<p>'Tush,' answered the knight, contemptuously. 'This +caliph is nobody, save as master of this palace and +city, and the treasure they contain. By my father's +soul! the caitiff wretch is rolling in wealth. May the +saints grant me patience to think of it calmly! The +very throne of gold on which he sits would, if coined +into money, furnish forth an army, capable, under a +skilful and daring leader, of conquering kingdoms. +Oh, for five hundred brave men in mail, and the +cross on their shoulders! By the bones of Becket, I +should, ere morning, be lord of all;' and, torturing +himself with the idea of such a prize escaping his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +grasp, Bisset sunk into silence, and indulged in +reflection.</p> + +<p>'Sir knight,' said Walter, after a long pause, 'I +have made a strange discovery. Guy Muschamp, the +English squire, my brother-in-arms, is a captive in +this palace, and in danger of death, because he will +not abandon his faith as a Christian. I have seen +him; I have spoken with him; I implore you to obtain +his release; for,' added Walter, with tears in his +eyes, 'I must tell you frankly, that otherwise I +must remain to share his fate.'</p> + +<p>'Fear not, boy,' said Bisset, touched with the +squire's emotion; 'I will see to his being ransomed. +In truth, I hardly think there will be much difficulty; +for this caliph is a miser—a mean, detestable +miser—and would sell anything for bezants—even +his soul, if he had not already pawned it to Satan, +through his brokers Mahound and Termagaunt.' +And, too much occupied with his dream of seizing +Bagdad, and carving out a kingdom with his sword, +the knight relapsed into silence, and scarcely moved +till evening fell.</p> + +<p>It was just after sunset, and Bisset was rapt in +thought, and Walter Espec perplexing his soul about +Guy Muschamp, when suddenly they were aroused +by the voice of the Muezzin, who, according to the +custom of the Saracens, standing on the minaret of a +mosque hard by, solemnly proclaimed three times—'There +is but one God, and Mahomet is his prophet.'</p> + +<p>Walter sprang up, quivering with pious horror, +and hastily crossed himself.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Sir knight,' said he, earnestly, 'I feel that this +place is unholy.'</p> + +<p>'Mayhap, boy,' replied the knight. 'But patter +your prayers, and no evil will come nigh you. For +the rest, Bagdad would be holy enough were the +walls and towers manned by Christian warriors, and +the mosques converted into churches, and I king, +with the caliph's treasures to go forth against the +Moslem, conquering and to conquer. Oh, credit me, +it is a glorious vision. But it cannot be realised. +Marry, I spoke too truly when I said that I was +born without luck on my side.'</p> + +<p>Night fell; the moon rose; and the Crusaders, +after for a time looking out upon innumerable stars, +glorious in the blue depths of an Asian sky, saw +to the comfort and security of their attendants, and +then stretched themselves to rest—Walter laying +himself down at the door of the chamber which Bisset +occupied. In spite of the knight's agitation and +the squire's anxiety, both soon sank into sleep. But +their repose was destined to be broken. About daybreak +they were awakened by cries and tumult, that +filled the palace of the caliph. Gradually, the noise +increased, and was blended with strange cries, as of +warriors storming the city. Bisset and Walter listened +with breathless attention, as yell after yell, +and whoop after whoop, intimated that some terrible +catastrophe had occurred; and as they hearkened, the +Templar, who had occupied an adjoining apartment, +rushed in, calm, but pale as a ghost.</p> + +<p>'Gentlemen,' said he, 'we are dead men.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>WOE TO THE CALIPH.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>I HAVE mentioned that, in the middle of the +thirteenth century, the Moguls, or Tartars, were +the terror of Asia and Europe. In considering their +energy and cruelty as warriors, is it wonderful that +their movements should have been regarded with +lively alarm? From the Yellow River to the banks +of the Danube they had marched, conquering and +slaughtering; marking their way with devastation, +and making the two continents resound with the +tumult of war and the crash of empires.</div> + +<p>Originally a number of hordes, inhabiting the +waste regions that lie between ancient Emaüs, Siberia, +and China, and the sea of Kamschatka, the +Tartars formed several nations of hunters and shepherds, +living under tents, with their families subsisting +on the produce of the chase and the flesh +of their flocks, and acknowledging one God, the +sovereign of heaven, but reserving their worship for +the genii, who, as they believed, followed their steps, +and watched over the safety of their families. They +moved from place to place, despising agriculture, and +not deigning to build. Even as late as the twelfth<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> +century, they had only one city—Karrakoroum—situated +on the Orgon, in the country subsequently +the residence of the Grand Lama. In short, they +looked upon all the world as their own, and, disliking +all neighbours and rivals, were frequently engaged +in war, which they deemed the sole occupation +worthy of their attention.</p> + +<p>As warriors, the Tartars early proved themselves +most formidable. Their valour and discipline were +remarkable; and they had neither baggage nor provisions +to encumber their marches. While the skins +of sheep or bears served them for clothing, they made +a little hardened milk, diluted with water, suffice +them for food. On horseback, they were as much at +home as a sea king on the deck of his war-ship, and +their seat was so easy and firm, that they were in +the habit of eating, and even sleeping, without taking +the trouble to dismount. They fought with lance +and bow, reared machines of terrible power; and +all the stratagems of war were familiar to them. +They excelled in the art of fighting while flying; +and, with them, retreat was often the signal for +victory.</p> + +<p>It was in the twelfth century that Gheniskhan was +elected by the Tartars as their ruler, and that, under +his leadership, they struck terror into the surrounding +nations. Under Gheniskhan, the Tartars made +themselves masters of China, and the empire of +Karismia; and, during the reign of his son Octai, +they added Turkistan and India and Persia to their +conquests. Moreover, at that time, they turned their +eyes westward; and, having crossed the Volga, they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +overran Russia, ravaged Poland, desolated Hungary, +devastated the frontiers of Germany, and +caused such dread, that even England was agitated +with the danger that threatened all Christendom.</p> + +<p>About the year 1245, however, Mango, the grandson +of Gheniskhan, professed a desire to embrace +Christianity; and Oulagon, the brother of Mango, +espoused a Christian woman; and, when King Louis +was wintering in Cyprus, ambassadors from Tartary +reached the island, with messages to the effect that +the great khan had been baptised, and that he would +readily aid the Crusaders in rescuing Jerusalem from +the Moslems. The saint-king received the ambassadors +with joy, entertained them hospitably, conducted +them to church, and, when they departed, +sent two monks with magnificent presents to the +great khan, and exhortations to hold fast the profession +of his faith without wavering. Even when +the Tartars menaced Bagdad, an ambassador, despatched +by King <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Lovis'">Louis</ins> from Acre, was at the court +of the great khan, with the object of converting the +Tartars; and it appears clear that, however little +they might care for either faith, the Tartars, in the +struggle of Christian and Moslem in the East, were +ever ready to take the side of the Christian against +the Moslem.</p> + +<p>Such being the state of affairs, Mango sent his +brother with an army to besiege Bagdad; and +Oulagon, raising his banner, marched towards the +city of the caliph. Now it happened that Musteazem, +being at once under the influence of the most egregious<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> +vanity and of the most sordid avarice, neither +believed in his danger, nor had the heart to expend +money to provide the means of defence, but devoted +to the hoarding of the jewels, gold, and treasures +with which his palace abounded, the whole time that +should have been employed in mustering armies and +preparing for war.</p> + +<p>However, when the caliph learned that Oulagon +was approaching to attack Bagdad, he partially +awoke from his dream, and sent offers to treat. +Oulagon, who either suspected, or pretended to suspect, +a snare, thereupon proposed that a marriage +should take place between the children of the caliph +and the great khan, as the best way of preserving +peace; and Musteazem expressed his entire satisfaction +with the proposal.</p> + +<p>The Tartar then requested the caliph to send sixty +of his chief men to treat of the marriage; and, when +this was complied with, he demanded sixty more, +that he might have full security for the fulfilment of +the treaty. Not doubting Oulagon's good faith, Musteazem +did as he was asked to do; and the royal +Mogul smiled grimly.</p> + +<p>'Now,' said Oulagon to his Tartars, 'seeing that +we have in our hands six score of the caliph's +chief counsellors and most wealthy subjects, I +cannot doubt that the remainder are very common +sort of people, and not likely to offer much +resistance. My plans have been laid with such +secrecy and caution, that nothing is suspected. +I have only to appear before Bagdad, and take +possession.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span></p> + +<p>And no time was wasted. In fact, Oulagon had +no motive for sparing the seat of the caliphate; and +no sooner did he get the six score of Musteazem's +chief men into his hands, than he ordered them to be +beheaded, and prepared for an attack. Nor, as he +rightly anticipated, was there much danger of an +obstinate resistance. In fact, not only was the city +undefended by any regular force: it was divided +against itself. The citizens were formed into various +sects, all at daggers drawn, and much more earnest +in their conflicts with each other than in resolution +to repulse assailants.</p> + +<p>It was early morning when the inhabitants of +Bagdad were aroused from their slumbers with loud +shouts of alarm, and cries that the Tartars were upon +them. Resistance was vain; and equally vain was any +hope of mercy. Having set up his machines of war, +Oulagon gave the word of command, and the Tartars +rushed to the assault with all the ferocity of their +nature. Entering the city sword in hand, Oulagon +gave it up to the fury of his soldiers. Carnage, and +all the horrors of war, followed; the gutters ran with +blood; and the caliph who, a few hours earlier, deemed +his person so sacred that he would not even consent +to touch the hand of a Frank, experienced such +rough treatment that he shrunk and shuddered and +sickened.</p> + +<p>Oulagon, however, was in no mood to respect the +person of the head of the Moslem religion. No +allegiance did the grim Tartar owe to the heir of +Mahomet. Having seized Musteazem in his palace, +Oulagon, after severely reproaching him with meditating<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> +treachery, caused him to be confined in an iron +cage; and, after keeping him in durance for some +time, came to add insult to injury.</p> + +<p>But, ere relating what passed, it is necessary to +return to the Christian ambassadors.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXIX.</h2> + +<h3>IN THE LION'S MOUTH.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>IT must be admitted that the position of the ambassadors +was not enviable; and, when the Templar +hastily stated that the Tartars were storming Bagdad, +even Bisset's bold countenance fell, and his tongue +faltered.</div> + +<p>'I will not hide,' said he, recovering himself, 'that +our doom looks dark; our heads are in the lion's +mouth. But, as Christian warriors, we must trust in +God and the saints; and, as brave men, we must do +what we can to extricate ourselves.'</p> + +<p>Without wasting more time in words, Bisset proceeded +to buckle on his chain mail, while Walter +Espec also arrayed himself; and, while the knight +armed himself with his ponderous battle-axe, the +squire unsheathed his falchion; and both, resuming +their wonted air of dauntless courage, prepared, in +case of the worst, to sell their lives dearly. Meanwhile, +the attendants of the ambassadors filled the +chamber, with alarm on their faces; and thither also +Guy Muschamp and his fellow captives found their +way, closely followed by the aged Saracen, who bowed +himself before Bisset and exclaimed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>'In the name of God, save me!'</p> + +<p>'Save you, Saracen!' said Bisset. 'On my faith, I +cannot but think that the man will do well this day +who saves himself.'</p> + +<p>'But,' asked the Saracen, 'do you not believe in a +God, born of a woman, who was crucified for the salvation +of the human race, and rose again the third day?'</p> + +<p>'Assuredly, Saracen,' replied Bisset, regarding his +questioner with a curious eye: 'as certainly as I believe +that I am now in the palace of the caliph, and +in greater danger than I pretend to relish.'</p> + +<p>'In that case,' said the Saracen, 'place your hopes +in your God; for, if he was able to recall himself to +life, he will not want the power to deliver you from +the evils that now threaten you.'</p> + +<p>'On my faith,' replied Bisset, a little surprised, +'I must say that you speak the words of wisdom +were you twenty times an infidel; and, for my own +part, I would fain hope that God and the saints, +especially good St. George, will befriend us in our +jeopardy.'</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the noise and tumult caused by the +Tartars, as they forced their way into Bagdad, drew +nearer, and shouts and shrieks were heard, which +left no doubt that they had entered the palace. +Bisset thereupon, grasping his battle-axe, took his +post on one side of the door: the Templar, sword +in hand, stationed himself on the other. Neither +spoke, and such was the silence of those who were +likely to share their fate, that a pin might have +been heard to drop. But though the carnage was +going on around them, they were left undisturbed;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> +and they passed a full hour in breathless suspense.</p> + +<p>At length a loud shout intimated that the Tartars +had penetrated to the garden; and Bisset, wishing +to tiring matters to a crisis, stepped forward so as +to make himself visible, and then retreated to his +post. Immediately twenty of the fierce Mogul +warriors rushed towards the place, and with loud +shouts prepared for fresh carnage. But, when they +perceived the Templar and the English knight +guarding the door with the air of men who could +not fail to prove terrible antagonists, they hesitated, +paused, and seemed to think that it was necessary to +exercise caution.</p> + +<p>Now, this delay was not without an important +result. In the leader of the Tartars, Bisset to his +astonishment saw a man whom he had met under +other circumstances, and instantly turned his discovery +to account.</p> + +<p>'Hold, hold, brave warrior!' cried he, in a conciliating +tone. 'With us you have no quarrel. We +are ambassadors who were sent hither by the King +of France to obtain the release of some captives, and +in you I recognise one of the barons of Tartary who +came to the court of the island of Cyprus, and to +whom I myself, as a knight in the Christian king's +service, rendered what service I could. With us, +therefore, I repeat, you have no quarrel. Wherefore +should we dye our weapons in each other's blood?'</p> + +<p>The Tartar remained motionless, and eyed the +knight keenly, and not without suspicion.</p> + +<p>'It may be as you say,' replied he after some consideration;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> +'and yet I know not how I am to credit +your words. Knowest thou that the Moslems have +a proverb which says, "Hearken to a Frank, and +hear a fable?"'</p> + +<p>'You do me wrong by your suspicions,' exclaimed +Bisset. 'On my honour as a Christian knight, I tell +you naught but the truth.'</p> + +<p>'Give me a token by which I may prove the +truth of what you say,' suggested the Tartar. And +Bisset forthwith related several incidents that had +occurred during the residence of the Tartars at +Nicosia.</p> + +<p>'Enough,' said the Tartar. 'I now give credit to +the words you have spoken; therefore let there be peace +between thee and me, and between thy people and +my people. For the present I leave to take measures +for your security; and I will conduct you to the +presence of Oulagon the brave, brother of the great +khan, and grandson of him who received the title of +"King of Kings" from a prophet who came down +from heaven on a white horse.'</p> + +<p>The ambassadors now breathed freely; and the +attendants looked upon Bisset as almost more than +mortal; and the knight congratulated himself on +the prospect of getting his head out of the lion's +den. It was not, however, till the morrow that the +Templar and the English knight were led to the +presence of Oulagon; a semi-savage warrior, with +those Tartar features which naturally looked harsh +to the eyes of men accustomed to the features of +Norman and Saxon, and short of stature, but thickset, +compact of body, and of prodigious strength.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> +Bisset was at first by no means satisfied with Oulagon's +look, but the Tartar manifested every disposition to +treat the ambassadors as friends.</p> + +<p>'The wrath of the King of Kings,' said he, 'is like +the fire of a conflagration, which the slightest wind +may light up, but which nothing but blood can +quench. But between the King of Kings and the +King of France there is peace and amity and goodwill. +Wherefore, friend, say what you desire of me, +and your will shall be granted.'</p> + +<p>'Simply,' replied Bisset, 'permission to depart +with my comrade and our train, and six Christian +captives who have thrown themselves on our protection.'</p> + +<p>'Be it as you will, Frank,' said Oulagon. 'But not +till you have had fitting gifts; for this is the storehouse +of the treasure of the world, and I would fain +send gifts to the King of France; nor would I like his +ambassadors to depart empty-handed.'</p> + +<p>The knight and the Templar bowed.</p> + +<p>'But,' said Oulagon with a cunning leer, 'ere departing +you must visit the caliph in my company, that +you may relate to the King of the Franks how the King +of Kings punishes men who are the enemies of both.'</p> + +<p>And without delay the Tartar led the ambassadors +to the prison where he had on the previous day shut +up Musteazem in an iron cage, and where he had +since kept his captive without food.</p> + +<p>'Caliph,' asked Oulagon approaching, 'dost thou +hunger?'</p> + +<p>'Yes,' answered Musteazem indignantly. 'I do +hunger, and not without cause.'</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 280px;"> +<img src="images/illus_254.png" width="280" height="400" alt=""Ah, Caliph," said Oulagon with bitter scorn, "thou mayst now see thy great fault; for if thou hadst given part of thy treasures, which thou lovest so dearly, thou mightest have held out against me."—p. 251." title=""Ah, Caliph," said Oulagon with bitter scorn, "thou mayst now see thy great fault; for if thou hadst given part of thy treasures, which thou lovest so dearly, thou mightest have held out against me."—p. 251." /> +<span class="caption">"Ah, Caliph," said Oulagon with bitter scorn, "thou mayst now see thy great fault; for if thou hadst given part of thy treasures, which thou lovest so dearly, thou mightest have held out against me."—p. 251.</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Then,' said Oulagon, 'thou shalt have that to eat +which above all things thy heart loveth.' And the +Tartar ordered a large golden platter, filled with +jewels and precious stones, to be brought and set +before the captive.</p> + +<p>'Knowest thou these treasures, caliph?' asked he +with an affectation of carelessness.</p> + +<p>'Yes,' answered Musteazem sharply, 'I know +them, for they are mine own.'</p> + +<p>'And dost thou dearly love thy treasures?' asked +Oulagon.</p> + +<p>'Yes,' replied Musteazem, simply and frankly.</p> + +<p>'Well, then,' said Oulagon, 'since thou lovest thy +treasures so well, take of these jewels as many as +thou wilt, and appease thy hunger.'</p> + +<p>'They are not food to eat,' replied Musteazem, +shaking his head with an air of great dejection.</p> + +<p>'Ah, caliph,' said Oulagon with bitter scorn, 'thou +mayest now see thy great fault; for if thou hadst +given part of thy treasures, which thou lovest so +dearly, to subsidise soldiers for thy defence, thou +mightest have held out against me. But that +which thou didst prize most highly has failed thee in +the hour of need.'</p> + +<p>And Oulagon withdrew with the Templar and the +English knight; and soon after this interview +Musteazem drew his last breath. But whether he +perished of hunger, or of indignant despair, or by +the violence of his conquerors, is not clearly ascertained. +In the midst of the tumult and disorder +which followed the sack of Bagdad, and the extinction +of the caliphate, chroniclers neglected to record<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> +under what circumstances, and how, died the last of +the caliphs.</p> + +<p>But, however that may have been, the ambassadors +next morning took their departure from Bagdad.</p> + +<p>'Now God and all the saints be praised!' exclaimed +Bisset: 'our heads are out of the lion's +mouth.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XL.</h2> + +<h3>END OF THE ARMED PILGRIMAGE.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>THE Templar and the English knight after a +variety of adventures reached Acre, having on +their way fallen in with Father Yves, whom King +Louis had sent on a mission to 'the Old Man of the +Mountains'—that remarkable personage to whose +behests kings bowed, and at whose name princes +trembled—and a knight of the noble House of +Coucy, who had come from Constantinople, and +whose accounts of the state of the Latin empire of +the East much increased Bisset's desire to go and +offer his sword to the Emperor Baldwin de Courtenay, +then struggling desperately to maintain his throne +against Greeks and Turks.</div> + +<p>On reaching Acre, however, the ambassadors found +that King Louis and the court were at Sajecte, and +without delay repaired thither to present the gifts +sent by Oulagon, and inform him of the unexpected +event which had frustrated the object of their mission. +Louis was deeply grieved at the failure of his +attempt to open the prison doors of the unfortunate +captives, and with tears bewailed their unhappy fate.</p> + +<p>But soon after this, the saint-king found that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> +case was not desperate. The Sultan of Damascus +went to war with the Mamelukes, and both parties +craved the alliance of the French monarch. Louis, +therefore, sent John de Valence to Cairo once more +to demand the release of the captives, and this time +he obtained something like satisfaction. Two hundred +knights were immediately set at liberty, and +allowed to depart for Acre, which they reached in +safety.</p> + +<p>At length, however, news came to King Louis, +while he was at Sajecte, which compelled him to turn +his thoughts towards France, where he was much +wanted, and to deliberate on the expediency of returning +to his own kingdom.</p> + +<p>When it was known in France that the king was a +prisoner in the hands of the Saracens, the utmost +excitement prevailed throughout the land; and suddenly +among the pastoral population appeared a man +bearing a letter, to which he pretended to attach a +mysterious importance.</p> + +<p>'This,' said he, solemnly, 'I have received from +the mother of God; and it commands me to assemble +all the Christian shepherds and herdsmen, and to +march at their head to deliver the king. Follow +me then, and fear not, for the battle is not to the +strong, but reserved for the weak and humble.'</p> + +<p>It appears that this man's eloquence, and the +mystery which he affected, fascinated the shepherds +and herdsmen of France, and they flocked to him in +multitudes; and his followers, having been joined by +outlaws and exiles, ere long formed a formidable +force, and caused much alarm.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span></p> + +<p>At first, indeed, the queen-mother, Blanche of +Castille, naturally anxious for her son's release, favoured +the enterprise. But the priests, aware it +might be that the leaders of the movement had +ulterior objects in view, set their faces decidedly +against it, and the leaders of the shepherds retaliated +by stirring up the populace against the priests, and +by the massacre of several ecclesiastics. On hearing +this, Queen Blanche changed her policy, took part +against the shepherds, caused their leader to be +beheaded, and their army to be dispersed. Moreover, +the populace, who had at first held the shepherds +in high honour, began to suspect them of +imposture, and slaughtered them without mercy; +and all was still doubt and dismay and confusion, +when messengers brought to Sajecte news that Queen +Blanche had breathed her last.</p> + +<p>Louis was profoundly affected when he heard of +his mother's death, and mourned sadly for two or +three days, without speaking with any one. However, +at the end of that time, he was visited by +the papal legate, and sent for the Lord of Joinville; +and Joinville, who was on the point of going into a +meadow to amuse himself with martial exercises, +entered into conversation.</p> + +<p>'Ah, seneschal,' began the king, mournfully, 'I +have lost my mother.'</p> + +<p>'Well, sire,' said Joinville, calmly, 'I am not +surprised at such an event, seeing that she was no +longer young, and that to all of us death must come +some time; but, sire, I am surprised that so great a +prince should grieve so outrageously; for you know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> +that the wise man says, "Whatever grief the valiant +man may suffer in his mind, he ought not to show it +on his countenance; for he that does so causes pain +to his friends and pleasure to his enemies."'</p> + +<p>'However, seneschal,' said the legate, 'the king is +much satisfied with the good and agreeable services +you have rendered him, and earnestly wishes for your +honour and advancement. He commands me to tell +you, as he knows it will give you pleasure at heart, +that he intends to embark for France on this side of +Easter.'</p> + +<p>'In truth, it does give me pleasure,' said Joinville. +'And I pray that the Lord may ever induce the king +to act in accordance with his will.'</p> + +<p>And soon after Louis, with his queen and his +knights and nobles, returned to Acre, and made preparations +for his departure.</p> + +<p>It happened that when John de Valence and his +associates went to Cairo, to treat for the release of +the French captives, and also for the remains of some +of the French warriors who fell at Mansourah, the +Saracens suddenly reminded him of the Earl of +Salisbury.</p> + +<p>'I wonder,' said an emir, 'that you Christians, who +venerate the ashes of the dead, make no inquiry for +the bones of that most illustrious and noble-born +William, to whom you give the name of Longsword; +whereas we, seeing that he was slain in battle and on +account of his illustrious qualities, have treated his +remains with all respect.'</p> + +<p>On hearing this, the ambassadors were somewhat +confused.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span></p> + +<p>'How,' asked they, one of another, 'can we disparage +this man, because he was an Englishman, +when even the Saracens accord the honour due to +his nobility of soul?'</p> + +<p>Accordingly, the Crusaders requested that Salisbury's +bones might be given to them; they carried +them to Acre, where they were laid, with much +respect, in the church of the Holy Cross.</p> + +<p>It was on the afternoon of the day when the +burial took place that Bisset, who had been maturing +his project of repairing to Constantinople, entered +his lodgings, and took Walter Espec by one hand and +Guy Muschamp by the other.</p> + +<p>'Boys,' said he, 'this crusade, as I foresaw, has +resulted in naught save disaster, and, as fighting +men, it behoves us to consider whither we are now +to carry our swords. For my part, I am resolved to +turn the gifts of the Tartar warrior into money, and +make without delay for Constantinople, and fight for +the Latin Emperor. Are you willing to accompany +me and share my fortunes, or must we part?'</p> + +<p>'In truth, sir knight,' replied Walter, frankly, 'I +sigh for the green fields and the oak forests of my +native land; and, therefore, I would fain embark with +the army of King Louis, and return to Europe.'</p> + +<p>'As you will, sir squire,' said Bisset, a little mortified: +'albeit, I cannot but deem that you are not moved +so much by the desire to visit your native land, as to +be near to a certain noble demoiselle, on whose gratitude +you have some claims. Well, on my life, I +blame you not; for at your age I might have felt as +you do, and, mayhap, lived to repent my delusion.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> +But, be it known to you that, as matters stand, the +Sultan of Damascus has intimated that he will +permit any of the pilgrims to visit Jerusalem. Now, +have you the courage—for courage will be needed—to +enter the Holy City, held as it is by fierce Saracens, +and kneel at the Holy Sepulchre?'</p> + +<p>'By Holy Katherine, sir knight!' exclaimed Walter, +bluntly, 'you must hold me excused. Happy, indeed, +should I deem myself in the privilege of kneeling at +the Holy Sepulchre, even at the cost of much labour +and fatigue. But these are not the days of Godfrey +and the Baldwins; and I care not to trust to the tender +mercies of Bibars Bendocdar and his Mameluke myrmidons. +I will not needlessly put my head again +into the lion's mouth.'</p> + +<p>'And what say you on the point, my gay and +puissant warrior?' asked Bisset, turning to Guy +Muschamp.</p> + +<p>'Oh,' answered Guy, merrily, 'as says the good +Walter, so say I, neither to Jerusalem nor to Constantinople +do I go. I have a father and mother and +kindred at home, whose faces I long to see. Wherefore, +I go to England, and to no other place.'</p> + +<p>Walter Espec sighed, as he was in the habit of +doing, at the mention of kindred, and gave himself +up to painful reminiscences.</p> + +<p>'Sir knight,' said he, addressing Bisset, after a long +silence, 'deem you that my lost brother can be in the +hands of him who is known as the Old Man of the +Mountains?'</p> + +<p>'What!' exclaimed Bisset, 'rearing as an assassin? +The saints forefend!'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span></p> + +<p>'It is strange,' said Walter, after a pause, 'that I +have begun to hope better things; for, as I lay asleep +last night, methought I saw him in the flesh, and +that he looked high and brave, and that he told me +how the blessed Katherine had preserved him from +evil.'</p> + +<p>'May your dream be realised ere we depart from +this holy land, good Walter!' said Guy, with sympathy.</p> + +<p>'Amen,' added Bisset, earnestly. 'More unlikely +things have come to pass.'</p> + +<p>And, in truth, such a result was not altogether impossible; +for at that moment Walter Espec and +Osbert Espec were both within the walls of Acre. +But Walter was preparing to embark for Europe; and +Osbert was on the eve of setting out for the castle of +Kakhow, not to return for many days. But the stars +had decreed that they were to meet.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XLI.</h2> + +<h3>A SUDDEN DISCOVERY.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>IT was evening, and shadows were closing over Acre. +But the scene thus presented was fair to behold. +The sky was richly coloured, the setting sun painted +the landscape in brilliant hues, the wind sighed +among the palms and lofty sycamores, and the waves +of the Mediterranean murmured against the white +walls and on the Syrian shore.</div> + +<p>Walter Espec sat in the lodgings of Bisset, hard by +the palace occupied by the King of France, and he +was alone. Bisset had been summoned to attend the +king; Guy Muschamp had gone to visit his kinsman, +the Lord of Joinville; and Walter, left with his own +thoughts, was reclining on a couch, and resting his +head against a window, with his eyes fixed on the +citizens who passed before him, on their way to +breathe the air in the gardens outside the walls, +when he was aroused by the tramp of cavalry, and +the approach of a body of warriors, whose white +mantles over their armour, and whole appearance, +indicated that they were military monks. Walter's +curiosity was aroused, and he shouted to make +inquiries of a portly citizen who was passing at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> +moment, and who, as Walter knew, as a confirmed +gossip.</p> + +<p>'Good citizen,' said he, 'these are warrior monks, +and yet they neither wear the habit of the Templars +nor the Hospitallers. Canst tell me what knights +they be who come along so proudly?'</p> + +<p>'In faith can I, sir squire,' answered the citizen; +'and blithely will I do so. These be the knights of +St. Katherine, of Mount Sinai; and they are brave +men in hours of danger; albeit, like other Orders, +overmuch given to amassing wealth, and more intent +on keeping it than keeping the vows of their Order.'</p> + +<p>'Thanks, good citizen,' said Walter, laughing +heartily, as Crusaders generally did when reminded +of the faults of the military monks. 'And, to requite +your courtesy, I admonish you to speak in a +whisper when you say aught in dispraise of Templars +or Hospitallers; for you must be a bolder man +than I pretend to be, if you fear not to provoke their +enmity.'</p> + +<p>'Gramercy for your warning, young squire,' replied +the citizen, as, apparently much amused, and +chuckling to himself, he proceeded on his way; while +Walter, standing up, watched the warrior monks as +they passed the window.</p> + +<p>Now, Walter Espec had of course heard of the +monks of St. Katherine, and especially what a stern +front they had presented on the day when the +Saracens threatened Acre, and carried off Adeline de +Brienne. Moreover, he was naturally somewhat interested +in an Order instituted in honour of the +tutelar saint of his House: but he had never before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> +seen them; and he looked out with no inconsiderable +curiosity as, mounted on choice steeds, they came on +and swept along, with bronzed visages, athletic forms, +muscular limbs, and the air of men who believed implicitly +in their own superiority over their compeers, +and desired nothing so much as foes to +conquer.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 290px;"> +<img src="images/illus_267.png" width="290" height="400" alt="Suddenly Walter started in amazement, and uttered a cry; then remained for a moment silent, and quivered with agitation; then seized his cap, and, rushing from the house, hastened, with excitement on his countenance and wildness in his manner, after the warrior monk.—p. 262." title="Suddenly Walter started in amazement, and uttered a cry; then remained for a moment silent, and quivered with agitation; then seized his cap, and, rushing from the house, hastened, with excitement on his countenance and wildness in his manner, after the warrior monk.—p. 262." /> +<span class="caption">Suddenly Walter started in amazement, and uttered a cry; then remained for a moment silent, and quivered with agitation; then seized his cap, and, rushing from the house, hastened, with excitement on his countenance and wildness in his manner, after the warrior monk.—p. 262.</span> +</div> + +<p>But suddenly Walter started in amazement, and +uttered a cry; then remained for a moment silent, and +quivered with agitation; then seized his cap, and, +rushing from the house, hastened, with excitement on +his countenance and wildness in his manner, after the +warrior monks, not losing sight of them till they +disappeared within the gates of the castle of St. +Katherine, which they possessed in Acre, near the +gate of St. Anthony. Into this building he demanded +to be admitted.</p> + +<p>Two hours later, Walter Espec returned to his +lodgings, and found Guy Muschamp awaiting his +return, and impatient to tell him that everything +was arranged for embarking for France in the king's +ship in company with the Lord of Joinville. But +observing that his friend's countenance wore a look +of extraordinary elation, he, for the time being, +quite forgot the communication he had intended to +make, and eyed him with an expression of keen +curiosity.</p> + +<p>'Good Walter,' said he, quickly, and with interest, +'you appear so excited that I cannot but presume +that something wonderful has befallen you since we +parted?'</p> + +<p>'In truth, brave Guy, you guess aright,' replied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> +Walter, taking his friend's hand. 'Rejoice with me, +my brother-in-arms, for I have found him who was +lost.'</p> + +<p>'Found your brother!—found Osbert Espec!' +exclaimed Guy, in surprise.</p> + +<p>'It is true as that I am a living man,' replied Walter, +joyfully. 'When he reached Marseilles with the companions +of his pilgrimage, instead, like them, of going +back to die of hunger in the forests, or listening, like +them, to the temptations of the two rascal merchants +by whom they were ensnared, he embarked on board +the "Christopher," which was on the point of sailing +for Acre; and the skipper, having brought him ashore, +carried him to the house of a Northern knight, who +had long been fighting for the Cross. And this noble +warrior, being about to return to England, placed +him under the protection of the Grand Master of the +Order of St. Katherine; and, when he was of a fitting +age, the grand master, to whom the name of Espec +was honourably known, made him take the vows of +the Order. And now, thanks to God and Holy +Katherine, he is in safety and honour, and rides +bravely as the bravest among his brethren, with his +white mantle over his chain mail.'</p> + +<p>'By St. John of Beverley!' exclaimed Guy, in +surprise, 'I much rejoice to hear that he was so +graciously protected by the saints in the hour of +danger, and that his fortune has been such as is +worthy of a Norman gentleman.'</p> + +<p>'And what is more,' said Walter, proudly, 'it was +he who unhorsed the two Saracens with his lance +without breaking it, and who wounded their leader<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> +on that day when they came hither to demand +tribute.'</p> + +<p>'A most worthy exploit, as it has been related to +me,' replied Guy; 'and one that does credit to his +strength and courage. But tell me, good Walter, +how rejoiced he was to see you after so long a separation, +and all your suffering on his account.'</p> + +<p>A shade of disappointment appeared on Walter +Espec's handsome countenance. After a pause, however, +he replied—</p> + +<p>'In faith, brave Guy, to be frank with you, I must +own that my brother, for whom I had so long +mourned, manifested less enthusiasm than I expected; +and when I talked to him of our castellated +house of Heckspeth, on the Wansbeck, and of the +tombs of our ancestors in the Abbey of Newminster, +and even of my great namesake, the glory of our line, +I perceived right well that he cared for none of these +things. His heart and soul are in his Order, its +renown and influence; and all his hopes are for the +restoration of its glory. And nothing would serve +him but attempting to induce me to take the vows +of poverty and celibacy and obedience. But I +answered readily, that such vows were not to my +liking—that I despise not riches; that I rather love +noble demoiselles; and that I am by nature more +inclined to command than to obey; in short, that I +will neither be a warrior monk nor a monk in minster. +And so the great bell of the castle of St. +Katherine tolled, and we parted; and at daybreak +he mounts to ride to the castle of Kakhow, which the +knights of his Order hold.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span></p> + +<p>'And now, good Walter,' said Guy, 'having fulfilled +your mission, for such you deemed it, you will +return to England with a light heart.'</p> + +<p>But Walter Espec only sighed, as his thoughts reverted +to Adeline de Brienne and to the great gulf +that seemed to interpose between them.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XLII.</h2> + +<h3>HOMEWARD BOUND.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>ON the vigil of St. Mark, after Easter, the Crusaders +having mustered at Acre, flocked on +board their ships and prepared to set sail for Europe. +On that day also the King of France, leaving +Geoffrey de Segrines with a hundred knights to aid +in the defence of what remained of the once grand +kingdom of Godfrey and the Baldwins, left the +palace which he had occupied, and, attended by the +papal legate, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the +Christian nobles and knights of Palestine, walked on +foot to the port, amid an immense crowd assembled +to witness his departure, who all, while lamenting +his departure, applauded him as the Father of the +Christians, and implored Heaven to shower blessings +on his head.</div> + +<p>'This is the day of St. Mark, seneschal,' said +Louis to Joinville, as they went on board; 'and on +St. Mark's-day was I born at Poissy.'</p> + +<p>'Sire,' replied Joinville, 'you may well say that +you have been born again on St. Mark's-day; for you +are escaping from a pestilent land, where you have +remained so long.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span></p> + +<p>Bisset, the English knight, resolute to his purpose, +had taken farewell of his companions, and embarked +for Constantinople, to wield his ponderous battle-axe +in the cause of Baldwin de Courtenay, whose empire +was falling to ruins. But Walter Espec and Guy +Muschamp were on board the king's vessel, through +the influence of the Lord of Joinville; and there also +was Beltran the renegade, who, touched with +remorse, had abandoned his wealth in Egypt, and +was doing penance by labouring as a seaman.</p> + +<p>At length the fleet weighed anchor and set sail, +with every prospect of a prosperous voyage. But, ere +long, a somewhat alarming accident occurred. On +Saturday, as the French approached Cyprus, about +vespers, the vessels were suddenly enveloped in a +thick fog, and the ship in which were the king and +queen struck on a sandbank, and was so damaged +that Louis was recommended to leave it without loss +of time.</p> + +<p>'Sire,' said the skipper, 'if you will believe me, +you must remove from this ship to another. We +well know that, since the keel has suffered so much +damage, all the ribs must be started, and should +there be a high wind, we fear she will be unable to +bear the sea without sinking.'</p> + +<p>'Now,' said the king, 'I put it to you on your +faith and loyalty, to tell me truly, if the ship were +your own, and full of merchandise, would you +quit it?'</p> + +<p>'No!' said the skipper; 'for we would rather risk +our lives than lose a vessel worth forty or fifty +thousand livres.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Why, then, do you advise me to quit it?' asked +the king.</p> + +<p>'Oh, sire,' answered the skipper, 'we are different +sort of beings; for there is no sum, however great, +that could compensate for the loss of yourself and +the queen and your children; and we cannot advise +you to run such a risk.'</p> + +<p>'Ah,' replied the king, 'now that you have answered, +I will tell you what I think of the matter. +Suppose I quit this vessel, there are five hundred +persons on board, who will remain in Cyprus for fear +of the danger that may befall them should they stay +on board. Now,' continued Louis, 'there is not one +among them who is attached to his own person more +than I am myself; and, if we land, they will lose all +hope of returning to their own country. Therefore, +I declare I will rather expose myself, the queen, and +my children to some danger, under the providence of +God, than make such numbers of people suffer as are +now with me.'</p> + +<p>The example which Louis set inspired the companions +of his voyage with courage; and the fleet +having resumed its course, encountered, but survived, +a violent storm, took in water at Cyprus, and soon +after came in sight of Lampedosa, an island which +was then uninhabited. And here a strange incident +occurred.</p> + +<p>It happened that King Louis and his company, +including Walter Espec and Guy Muschamp, landed, +and, while climbing among the rocks, discovered a +hermitage, with a handsome garden, planted with +olives, figs, vines, and many other fruit trees, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> +watered by a beautiful spring. On going to the +upper end of the garden, the king and his company +found an oratory, the roof of which was painted +white, with a red cross in the centre, and, in a chamber +more retired, two bodies laid toward the East, +with their hands on their breasts. Soon after the +king and his company, conversing about what they +had seen, returned on board their ship, and the +skipper was about to weigh anchor, when it was +discovered that one of the warriors who had gone +ashore was missing; and this caused much excitement.</p> + +<p>'I think I can account for this,' said the skipper. +'One of the sailors was desirous of turning hermit, +and I doubt not he has seized so fair an opportunity.'</p> + +<p>Walter Espec and Guy Muschamp exchanged +glances. It was Beltran the renegade, who had +thus devoted himself to solitude.</p> + +<p>'Well,' said the king, on hearing this, 'let three +sacks of biscuit be left on the shore; the man may +find them, and, if so, they will serve for sustenance.'</p> + +<p>Soon after this an accident happened to one of the +squires on board the ship of one of the barons of +Provence, which, at the time, was about half a league +from that of the king. One morning, finding, as +he lay in bed, that the sea dashed into his eyes and +much annoyed him, he ordered the squire to stop +it up. Having in vain attempted to do so from the +inside, the squire went outside, and was endeavouring +to stop the hole, when his foot dipped and he fell +into the sea. The ship kept on her way without +the mariners being aware of what had happened,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> +and as the squire did not attempt to move, those +on board the king's ship thought some piece of +furniture had tumbled overboard. On coming +nearer, however, they perceived that it was a human +being, and Walter and Guy, with some mariners, +lowered a boat, rowed to the rescue, and succeeded +in saving him.</p> + +<p>On being brought on board the king's ship, the +squire related how he met with the accident, and +was asked why he did not endeavour to save himself +by swimming.</p> + +<p>'In faith,' answered the squire, 'I had no occasion +so to do; for, as I fell into the sea, I cried, "Our +Lady of Valbert!" and she supported me by the +shoulders till I was rescued.'</p> + +<p>'In good sooth,' remarked the Lord of Joinville, +on hearing this, 'it is truly marvellous; and, to +perpetuate the memory of this miracle, I vow to +have it painted on the windows of my chapel at +Joinville, and also on the windows of the church +at Blecourt;' and, on reaching home, the noble +seneschal kept his word.</p> + +<p>And now the ships tilted over the waters; and, +after a voyage of ten weeks, they reached the Port +of Hieros, in front of a castle which, in right of his +spouse, belonged to the king's brother, the Count +of Anjou. Louis, however, was not inclined to land. +In vain the queen and his council advised him to +disembark.</p> + +<p>'No,' said he, 'I will not land till I can do so on +my own territory; I will not disembark till I arrive +at Aigues Mortes.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span></p> + +<p>Everybody looked extremely disappointed.</p> + +<p>'Seneschal,' said Louis, turning to Joinville, 'what +is your opinion?'</p> + +<p>'Sire,' replied Joinville, 'it seems to me that you +ought to land; for Madame de Bourbon, being once +in this very port, put again to sea to land at Aigues +Mortes, and she was tossed about for seven long +weeks before she could make that harbour.'</p> + +<p>'Seneschal,' said the king, 'you have persuaded +me.' And soon after, to the joy of the queen and +all on board, Louis landed at Hieros, and with +Margaret and his children took up his residence +in the castle, to rest from his fatigues ere setting +out for his own dominions. Indeed, the saint-king +was so weak, that Joinville had to carry him in his +arms; and for some time he could hardly support +the weight of his armour, or remain on horseback.</p> + +<p>But Louis had yet many years of life before him; +and after repairing for a time to recruit his health +at Montpellier, where then, as in after ages, the +medical science eminently flourished, he in the +autumn arrived at Vincennes, and after prostrating +himself before the altar of St. Denis and restoring +the oriflamme to the abbot, he proceeded to Paris, +where he was received with profound respect. But +the saint-king bore on his brow traces of the sorrow +caused by the multiplied disasters of his expedition, +and still wore the symbol of salvation on his shoulder, +as if to intimate that he was not yet done with the +Holy Land.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XLIII.</h2> + +<h3>A ROYAL VISIT.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>THE countenance of the King of France did not +belie his heart. He was sad, and much more +dejected than when he was in captivity and chains +at Mansourah, bullied by the Saracens, and threatened +with the bernicles. Nor was there any affectation +in his continuing to wear the cross on his shoulder; +as he proved, sixteen years later, when he undertook +his ill-fated expedition to Tunis, and died, on a bed +of ashes, amid the ruins of Carthage, looking up to +heaven, and exclaiming with his latest breath, 'I +will enter into Thy house; I will worship in Thy +holy tabernacle!'</div> + +<p>Meanwhile the saint-king appeared inconsolable, +and refused to be comforted. Even the affectionate +welcome accorded him by his people failed to dispel +his gloom or cheer his soul. Day and night he +brooded over his defeats and disasters, and sighed +dolefully as his memory recalled the humiliation +to which, in his person, the cause of Christianity +had been exposed at the hands of the Moslem.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, at that time, Henry, King of England, +being at Bordeaux, offered Louis a visit; and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> +saintly monarch, rousing himself to welcome his +royal brother-in-law, made preparations for his +reception. Moreover, when Henry's approach was +announced, Louis mounted and went forth to meet +his guest; and, ere long, the King of England with +a magnificent train appeared in sight.</p> + +<p>Henry was considerably older than Louis. Indeed, +he had now attained the age of forty-seven. But +his frame was vigorous; he had always enjoyed +robust health; and, as he had taken life easily, time +and trouble had not wrought so much havoc on +him as on the French monarch. He was of the +middle height, and compactly built, and would have +been accounted handsome, but that one of his eyelids +hung down in such a way as to conceal part of the +eyeball, and rather spoiled a face which otherwise +would have been pleasant to look upon. But, such +as his person was, Henry did not neglect its adornment. +He had all a Plantagenet's love of splendour, +and the gorgeousness of his dress was such as to +excite the wonder of his contemporaries. By his +right hand rode his spouse, Eleanor of Provence, +sister of the Queen of France, no longer young, +but still preserving, in face and form, much of the +beauty and grace which, twenty years earlier, made +the name of the second daughter of Raymond +Berenger celebrated at the courts of Europe.</p> + +<p>Behind the King and Queen of England, on a +black steed, which he bestrode with remarkable +grace, rode their son, Edward, taller by the head and +shoulders than other tall men, and already, though +not out of his teens, renowned as one of the bravest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> +and handsomest princes in Christendom. With him +was his very juvenile wife, Eleanor of Castille, whom +he had recently espoused at Burgos, and brought over +the Pyrenees to Bordeaux, on his way to England.</p> + +<p>But the procession did not stop here; for, as the +chronicler tells us, 'the King of England had in his +own retinue a thousand handsome horses, ridden +by men of dignity and rank, besides waggons and +sumpter cattle, as well as a large number of choice +horses, so that the unusual novelty of the array +caused great astonishment to the French.'</p> + +<p>The meeting of the two kings was all that could +have been desired by the most enthusiastic advocate +of the French alliance who could have been found +in England; and, 'at sight of one another, they +rushed into each other's arms, and after mutual +greeting, entered into conversation.' Naturally +enough, the first subject on which they touched +was the crusade from which Louis had just returned; +and the saint-king seemed relieved to meet with a +man to whom he could, without derogating from his +dignity, unbosom his griefs.</p> + +<p>'My friend,' said Louis, mournfully, 'you cannot +imagine how pleasant your voice is to my ears; let +us enjoy ourselves in talking together, for never, +perhaps, shall we have such an opportunity. In truth,' +added he, as they rode on side by side towards Paris, +'it is no easy matter to tell how much bitterness of +spirit I endured while on my pilgrimage through +love of Christ.'</p> + +<p>'I believe it, Louis, my cousin,' said Henry +quickly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span></p> + +<p>'And yet,' continued Louis, 'albeit everything +turned against me, I return thanks to the Most +High; for, on reflection, I rejoice more in the +patience which God granted me, than if the whole +world were to be made subject to my rule. And +yet, my friend, when I think of all my mishaps, +my heart saddens and my soul is heavy.'</p> + +<p>'Cousin,' said Henry, kindly, 'beware of casting +yourself into a life-wearying sorrow; for holy men +will tell you that it is the stepmother of souls, and +that it absorbs spiritual joy, and generates prejudice +to the Holy Spirit. Recall to your mind the patience +of Job, the endurance of Eustace.' And Henry proceeded +to relate much that he knew, and much that +he did not comprehend, of the history of both, and +how, in the end, God rewarded them.</p> + +<p>'My friend,' said Louis, 'if I were the only one +to suffer the trouble and disgrace, and if my sins +did not fall on the church universal, I could bear all +with equanimity; but, woe is me, through me the +whole of Christendom is enveloped in confusion and +shame.'</p> + +<p>'And, cousin,' said Henry, 'I perceive that you +still wear the symbol of the cross on your raiment.'</p> + +<p>'I do,' replied Louis, 'because I have not concluded +my pilgrimage; I have only suspended it; therefore +bear I the sacred symbol. And you also, Henry, +you have taken the cross, and vowed to fight for the +Holy Sepulchre.'</p> + +<p>'Cousin,' answered Henry, gravely, but frankly, +'when I heard that you were a prisoner in the +hands of the Saracens, I did take the cross and vow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> +to go to the rescue; but now that, by God's grace, +you are at liberty, I cannot but think that it is my +duty to remain at home and minister to the welfare +of my subjects.'</p> + +<p>'And yet,' urged Louis, 'we are told that he who +will not take up his cross and come with me, is not +worthy of me; and I know you, Henry, to be a man +who, albeit you are negligent in punishing Jews and +heretics, are distinguished for attention to the things +that belong to your eternal peace, and by your +devotion to the Lord.'</p> + +<p>'In truth, cousin,' replied Henry, not sorry +perhaps, to leave the subject of the crusade, 'I am +regular, at least, in my religious exercises; for it is +my custom, every day, to hear three masses, with +the notes, and, as I wish to hear more, I assiduously +assist at the celebration of private masses; and when +the priest elevates the Host, I usually hold the hand +of the priest and kiss it.'</p> + +<p>'Nevertheless, my friend,' remarked Louis, 'I +cannot but deem that the attention ought not always +to be devoted to the hearing of masses, but that we +ought to hear sermons as often as possible.'</p> + +<p>'Mayhap,' said Henry. 'And yet, by God's help, +I would rather see a friend often than hear of him, +even although I should hear nothing spoken of him +but good.'</p> + +<p>As the two kings conversed they entered Paris +side by side, and the sight which met the eyes of +the English might well, indeed, raise their admiration. +The city, with its squares and bridges and +churches and houses built of gypsum, was splendidly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> +decorated with bowers of leaves and flowers; many +of the mansions were three and four storeys in +height, and the windows were crowded with people +of both sexes, gaily dressed, and excited with the +spectacle. Everything wore a holiday guise; and the +citizens and the scholars of the University, especially +those of English birth, suspending their readings +and disputations, came forth in crowds, carrying +branches of trees, and attended by bands of music. +Everybody appeared eager to accord the royal guests +a hearty welcome; and Louis, after thanking the +scholars for showing his friends so much honour, +turned to Henry.</p> + +<p>'My friend,' said he, 'I place Paris at your disposal. +Where will you be pleased to take up your +abode? There is my palace in the middle of the city; +or, if you prefer taking up your residence at the Old +Temple, which is more roomy, it shall be so arranged.'</p> + +<p>'Verily,' answered Henry, 'I think I must choose +the Old Temple; for I hear it is roomy enough to +lodge an army, and my company, as you see, is +somewhat numerous; and there it is my purpose to +give a banquet on the morrow, and I trust that you +and your princes and nobles will honour it with +your presence.'</p> + +<p>'After which,' said Louis, 'you must come as +my guest to my palace. Nay, nay,' continued he, +as Henry sought to excuse himself, 'let it be so: +for it is proper for me to perform all the duties of +courtesy and hospitality. In my own kingdom I +am lord,' he added, with a smile; 'and I will be +master in my own house.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span></p> + +<p>'On my faith,' said Walter Espec to Guy Muschamp, +as gallantly the brothers-in-arms rode in +the train of the saint-king, 'this is a great day for +England!'</p> + +<p>'In truth it is,' replied Guy, gaily. 'Methinks +there are Englishmen enough in Paris to take the +city.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XLIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE FEAST OF KINGS.</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>ON the day after the arrival of Henry and his +queen in Paris, that marvellous banquet, +described as 'the feast of kings,' was given in the +great hall of the Old Temple; and a mighty entertainment +it appears to have been, if we are to judge +from the description of the chronicler, who tells us +that 'never in times past was there given such a +rich and splendid banquet, even in the time of +Esther, or of Arthur, or of Charles.' Besides three +kings—those of Navarre, and France, and England, +with their queens—there were present eighteen +countesses, and twenty-five counts, and twelve +bishops; not to mention a host of noble knights +and ladies—knights illustrious for their valour, and +ladies celebrated for their beauty.</div> + +<p>As the guests were ranged according to their +rank, some difficulty arose as to who was to preside. +Henry requested Louis to assume the post of honour; +but Louis protested.</p> + +<p>'It is more fitting,' said he, 'that the master of +the feast should occupy the chief seat.'</p> + +<p>'Not so, my lord king,' urged Henry. 'It is more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> +becoming and proper for you to sit in the middle; +seeing that you are my sovereign and will be so, +for the reason is plain.'</p> + +<p>'Henry,' replied Louis, in a low voice, 'would +that every one could obtain his right without injury. +But in your case,' added he, alluding to Henry's +claims on Normandy and Anjou, 'the pride of the +French would never permit it. But enough of this.'</p> + +<p>Now it happened that the great hall was, according +to the continental custom, hung around with as +many bucklers as the four walls would hold, and +among them was the shield of Cœur de Lion; and +when the feast was drawing to a close, the company +began to look around and examine them.</p> + +<p>'My lord,' said the Count of Anjou, jocularly +addressing Henry, 'why have you invited the French +to dine with you in this house of all others? See, +there is the shield of the lion-hearted King Richard. +I marvel that your guests have been able to eat +without fear and trembling.'</p> + +<p>Now this remark, uttered as it was in a tone of +irony, was calculated to excite unpleasant sensations, +and to recall disagreeable reminiscences; and Henry +looked mortified, and Prince Edward threw his +magnificent head disdainfully backward. But Louis, +ever on the watch, hastened to soothe their rising ire.</p> + +<p>'Would to God, Henry!' said he, earnestly, 'that +the twelve peers of France and the barons would +agree to my wishes. We should then be inseparable +friends.'</p> + +<p>'I believe it, Louis, my cousin,' exclaimed Henry, +quickly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span></p> + +<p>'I grieve, my Lord knows,' continued Louis, 'that +our feelings of affection cannot be cemented on all +points; but I cannot bend the obstinacy of my +barons; and therefore I perceive plainly that you +will never recover your rights.'</p> + +<p>'Nay, the future is with God and his saints,' +said Henry; who, pacific as he was, by no means +relished the idea of the Plantagenets being perpetually +excluded from their inheritance. 'Meanwhile, +cousin, there is peace between us, and let +not the feast flag.'</p> + +<p>'Henry,' said Louis, pausing, as he approached a +painful subject, 'it grieves me sore to think that, of +all the English who landed with me at Damietta, +few, indeed, escaped the carnage of Mansourah. +Nevertheless, I have brought home with me two +English squires, who are anxious to return to their +own country, and whom I would fain recommend +to your gracious protection.'</p> + +<p>'Cousin,' said Henry, responding with readiness +and sympathy, 'for your sake I will both protect and +honour them.'</p> + +<p>Walter Espec and Guy Muschamp were immediately +summoned, and, marching up the great hall +between the tables, approached the two kings and +bent their knees.</p> + +<p>'Both of them,' explained Louis, mildly, 'have +rendered good services, and encountered great perils, +and undergone great sufferings for the cross. One +saved my brother, the Count of Poictiers, from +captivity; and the other saved my kinswoman, +Adeline de Brienne, from still worse evils.' And<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span> +the king looked towards the noble demoiselle, who, +princess as she was, felt her heart beat rapidly, and +was under the necessity of making a strong effort +not to betray the interest which she felt in the +fortunes of the young warrior, with whose fate, she +had convinced herself, since the rescue at <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Posse'">Passe</ins>-Poulain, +her own was strangely intermingled.</p> + +<p>'Wherefore,' continued Louis, 'I would fain, ere +parting with them, give them a token of my appreciation +of their piety, and the courage they have +shown in hours of danger and disaster, as I have +already admonished them how to act towards their +God and their neighbour. Kneel.'</p> + +<p>And as they obeyed, Louis gave each of them +three blows on the shoulder with the flat of his +weapon, mentioning the name of each, and repeating +the formula—'In the name of God, of St. Michael, +and St. George, I dub thee knight. Rise up, Sir +Walter Espec, and Sir Guy Muschamp.'</p> + +<p>And as Walter and Guy rose to their feet, blushing +with this new and unexpected honour, Louis +added—</p> + +<p>'And now you will accompany your king to +England, and lose no time in winning your spurs, +so as to justify me, in the eyes of men, for having +thus distinguished you.'</p> + +<p>'By St. George, cousin,' said Henry, laughing, 'I +fear me that their patience will be put to the test; +for at present I have not an enemy against whom +to lead such redoubted warriors.'</p> + +<p>'My lord and father,' said Prince Edward, interposing, +'if the young knights will enter my service,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span> +I will undertake to find them enough of work to keep +their swords from rusting.'</p> + +<p>'I doubt it not, Edward,' replied Henry, seriously, +'I doubt it not;' and, turning to Louis, he added +by way of explanation, 'I have gifted my son with +the principality of Wales, and recommended him to +employ his youth in bringing the natives to obedience; +and I know enough of the Welsh to be +aware that he has before him an arduous duty. +Now, young gentlemen,' said he, addressing Guy and +Walter, 'will you take service with the prince, and +go to war under his banner?'</p> + +<p>'In truth, my lord,' answered Walter, 'nothing +could be more to my mind than so to do.'</p> + +<p>'And what say you, most doughty warrior?' said +Henry, looking towards the heir of the Muschamps.</p> + +<p>'My lord,' replied Guy, cheerfully, 'we are +brothers in arms; and, as says Walter, so say I.'</p> + +<p>And when Henry and Queen Eleanor left Paris, +and took leave of Louis and his court at Chartres +to return to Bordeaux, Walter Espec and Guy +Muschamp rode off in Prince Edward's train; Guy, +laughing as he thought how much his new dignity +would add to his importance when he reached his +father's castle, and Walter, casting many a look +behind to catch a last glance of Adeline de Brienne.</p> + +<p>And so ended the adventures of the Boy Crusaders.</p> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Transcriber's note: Although, generally, handwritten notes are not preserved in the final text, my +proofreaders so enjoyed this edition's inscription that it was retained.</p></div> +</div> +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes:</h3> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p> +<p>Both Djédilé and Djedilé were used in this text.</p> +<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p></div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Crusaders, by John G. 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