TIE CARAVAN APPHANTS. 99

who had determined to capture it made their ap-
pearance; and Walter and the renegade, for different
reasons, began to entertain considerable alarm. As
morning approached, however, one point was ex-
plained. In fact, a spy employed by Beltran reached
the rendezvous, with intelligence that the Earl’s in-
tention to attack the caravan having been suspected,
had caused the delay; but that, being aware that
he was out of the way, its guards were ‘preparing to
hasten forward at dawn of day, confidently hoping to
pass without being assailed, or to beat down any
opposition that might be offered to its progress.

‘On my faith,’ said Walter, as he learned how
matters were, ‘I cannot but think our post is one of
danger, if the guards of this caravan are so nume-
rous as reported. Nevertheless, it shall never be
told that, for fear of odds, I retreated from a post
which I had been entrusted to maintain.’ And he
proceeded to place his men in such a position that
they might elude the observation of the Saracens
till close at hand, and then rush out and take the
cuards of the caravan by surprise.

Meanwhile, day was breaking; and, in the distance,
Walter and his companions could descry the cara-
van, apparently guarded by a strong force; and
gradually the white turbans and green caftans and
long spears became more and more distinct. It
was clear that, in the event of Salisbury not return-
ing in time, Walter would have to fight against great
odds; and the return of the earl in time to aid him
now appeared so improbable that the squire ceased
even to hope for his banners, and resolved to take