130 IE BOY CRUSADERS.

are ignorant of the perils; but we know that, as fax
as tke east is from the west, so far are our ways
different from the ways of the Orientals.’

‘Hearken to this Englishman!’ exclaimed the
count, scornfully. ‘What cowardice there is in these
English! But their timid counsel suits not us.
Happy should I be if the Christian army were
purged of the English tails!’

A flush of rage crimsoned the earl’s bronzed
cheek, and his eye flashed fire.

‘Now, by my father’s sword!’ cried he, striving to
be calm, though he literally quivered with indies
nation, ‘this passes human patience! Ilo! there,
Lord Robert de Vere, raise my banner; and you,
Count of Artois, lead on, and see if the danger of
death hinders us from following. The touchstone
must try which is gold and oe is brass; and I
swear, by good St. George, as I put on my helmet,
that the English knights whom you have taunted
with cowardice will this day penetrate farther in —
the ranks of our foes than any warrior of France—--
be he prince or paladin—will venture to do.’

And the dispute having thus been terminated, the
Count of Artois and his Crusaders put on their
helmets and mounted their horses. At that
moment the eye of Salisbury alighted on Walter
Espee; and his countenance, which had expressed
the most scornful indignation, suddenly changed,
and expressed something like pity.

‘Boy,’ said he, in a ioe kindly tone, ‘fall back
and wait for the French king, We are rushing on
certain death; and you are tao young to die.’