which occasions it, though, where shall I find thy fellow?" 66 By the holy cross," exclaimed, in a gruff voice, the foremost trooper, who, with his party, had now reached the grove of olives, "why we have unkenneled an infidel fox. Marshouff, quickly let fly thy swiftest and stoutest bolt, and bring him down." "Then he drewe out a fayre brode arrowe, Hys bowe was great and longe, He set that arrowe in his bowe, That was both styffe and stronge." Marshouff advanced forward a few paces, unslung his bow, and poised a bolt in a space of time as short as the command occupied in the delivery. - "Hold! for thy life," vociferated Sir Lionel, making a cut at the bolt with his sword, which took cleanly off its barbed head at the moment it was, with full force, leaving the bow. The stump still winged its course, and so stout and true was the aim, that it was seen to rebound from the back of the emperor, and fall to the earth. The eyes of the whole troop, at the time, were directed towards the retreating Emperor, so that this act of Sir Lionel, was not observed, though his voice did not fail attracting attention for the moment, but which was instantly lost in the deeper interest of the scene. 66 By the Holy Sepulchre," exclaimed Marshouff," that infidel dog has his own luck and the devil's too. No bolt ever left bow with surer aim, or with more power, and yet the infidel cur is unscathed." "After him, boys," said the commander, " he must not escape us so.' "Stir not, genteel-men, I charge thee," said Sir Lionel, in a commanding voice and attitude," he is a friend." And who, pray, art thou, who dares to controvert my orders?" said the same officer. "I am Sir Lionel de Darbye, Baron de Darbye. I and one of my esquires lost our way in the night, and took shelter here for rest, and to wait the rising of the moon. The horse of my esquire was killed in the battle of yesterday, but its place was soon supplied by a superb Arabian that had lost its rider. This horse, too, was wounded, and we had just reached here when it died. There it lies, and a prettier creature never wore saddle. I have this moment dispatched my esquire with an important message to our liege." "To my fancy, Sir Knight-Baron, he that left just now, was too surely an infidel,” said the commander of the party, "I know him from his dress." 66 My esquire," returned Sir Lionel, "is disguised as an infidel, the better to insure his safe arrival at his place of destination, whither I have sent him on my own charger. Right glad am I, Sir, that such good chance has brought so brave a party of our soldiers to relieve me out of a difficulty, for see, I am left horseless." Sir Lionel's fame insured him credit and obedience. He was instantly supplied with a charger belonging to one of the troopers, who readily yielded it to the young Baron, putting up himself with the accommodation afforded him by a fellow-trooper at the back of his horse. By the next mid-day, Sir Lionel had again joined the Christian army, which was now, by forced marches, prosecuting its way towards Jerusalem. His arrival was greeted with every demonstration of joy and satisfaction King Richard was one of the first to advance forward, to express his royal pleasure at seeing him again, and in the presence of the whole army, shook him heartily by the hand, saying, "It is only in merry England, Baron de Darbye, that we can properly demonstrate our estimation of thy transcendant services." ...Sir Lionel's new-made vassals rent the air with their lively acclamations; and all the mercenaries, or "Saladine-tax men," came forward to solicit the privilege of claiming vas |