CHAPTER VI.
EMBARKING FOR THE EAST.

T 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 pro-
ceeded on foot from the castle to the port of Berwick,
and embarked with his knights and kinsmen.

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 gene-
ration. 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