UNEXPECTED FREEDON. 125

‘No,’ said Fakreddin, mildly, ‘it is well that he
should have time to reflect. Let him be kept as a
prisoner till the morrow. He will then be more
likely to answer the questions asked of him.’

Accordingly Guy Muschamp was led from the
presence of the Saracen chiefs and shut up in a
small apartment in the centre of I°akreddin’s tent.
The position was the reverse of pleasant; and he
almost gave himself up for lost. Next morning,
however, after he had eaten some food brought him
by the jailer, he was startled, first by a commotion
in the camp, and then by such a noise and tumult
as if all the fiends had come thither from the in-
fernal regions to fight their battles. Gradually,
through the din, the ear of Guy recognised the clash
of weapons and the rushing of steeds, and his sus-
pense was agonising. Jor a time he endeavoured to
make out what was occurring; but this was in vain.
At length the noise ceased; and Guy moved to the
door with the intention of making a desperate effort
to break it open. Somewhat to his surprise, he found
that it did not resist. In fact, the jailer was gone
and the camp deserted.