94 THE BOY CRUSADERS.

better to suffer the scorn of the world than await
your sentence in the day of judgment, when your
evil deeds will be a manifest, and damnation will
follow. |

‘ Nevertheless, protested the renegade, ‘I had
rather live at my ease, as I am, like a rich man,
than become an object of contempt.’

‘I cannot brook your presence,’ said the earl,
erowing very indignant: ‘ oe begone; I can
have no more to say to you.’

‘ Be not over-hasty,’ said the renegade; ; ‘for be it
known to you, noble Earl, that I have that to tell
which it will profit you much to know.’

‘Speak, then,’ said the earl, hesitating, * but be
brief; for my patience is not so long as was my
father’s sword.’

‘It is of a rich caravan I would speak,’ said the
renegade, with a glance and a gesture of peculiar
significance.

‘Ah!’ exclaimed the ear], pricking up his ears, and
listening with evident interest.

“It is on its way to Alexandria, and will pass with-
in six leagues of Damietta within four days,’ said the
renegade. ‘And whoever can capture that caravan
may gain an immense booty.’

‘And how does this concern me ?’ asked the earl.

‘My lord,’ replied the renegade,’ I see not where-
fore you should not seize the prize as well as another.’

‘But how am I to trust your report? How am I to
know that your intent is not to betray me?’ ;

‘My lord,’ answered the renegade, ‘I am in your
power. I will answer for the truth of my story with