16 THE BOY CRUSADERS.

cr veiled women. But my heart yearns ror 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 cross-
ing my mind, that one, near and dear, does live ; and

—and—’

He paused, bent his brow, clenched his hand, and
cast his eyes on the ground, as tears streamed down
his cheek.

‘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.’

Walter Espec smiled mournfully. His enthu-
siasm was not, in reality, less than that of his com-
panion. 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 brict
silence, that the caliph is too great a potentate to be
dealt with as you would wish. But, come what may,