CHIVALROUS EXERCISES. 25

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 ac-
quiring 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, @ la Coeur de Lion, with a sword in one
hand and a lance in the other.

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.

And why was the brave boy so sad?

At the time when Walter was winning such repu-
tation 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 te leave their
homes; and tle pope was lamenting the absence of