42 THE BOY vURUSADERS.

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.

Jt 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
Iiall of the Flemings resounding with the noise of
artificers, the wealthy religious houses which kept
alive the flame of ancient learning, and dispensed be-
fitting charities, the streets presented a motley assem-
blage 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.

‘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.’ 7

‘I deem that it can hardly be,’ replied Walter,
calmly; ‘and, in truth, I am in no mood to look
upon lite with joyous emotions. But, brave Guy, I
am pleased to see you pleased; albeit, T own frankly