138 THE BOY CRUSADERS.

the Constable of France rode up to inform him of the
peril of the Count of Artois.

‘Sire,’ said the constable, ‘ your noble brother is
shut up in Mansourah; and, albeit he and his com-
rades hold out gallantly, they must perish ‘if not
aided forthwith.’

‘Well, constable,’ answered Louis, ‘on to the
rescue, in God’s name, and I will speedily follow.’

The constable, without more words, gave his horse
the spur, and dashed towards Mansourah, whither
the king and his knights also attempted to make
their way. But this was no easy matter. Every
moment the Saracens seemed to increase in numbers;
and the Crusaders, while struggling bravely not to
be overwhelmed by odds, were exposed to terrible
hazard. Louis soon found himself in the thick of
the fight and environed by foes. Nothing seemed to
remain to him but to sell his life dearly; and six
Saracens, rushing forward simultaneously, attempted
to seize his bridle, and take him captive. But, at
that moment, Louis—-gentle and saintly as was his
nature—used his German sword with a vigour and
effect, scarcely excelled by Richard Cceur de Lion at
Joppa, when he charged among the Mamelukes of
Saladin, or by Edward Longshanks at Kakhow, when
the sweep of his sword, and the rush of his grey
steed, struck terror into the heart of the host of
Bibars Bendocdar. Down before that short German
sword went turban and caftan; till the French
knights, aware of their king’s danger, spurred in to
his rescue, and, with 4 mighty effort, saved him from
captivity.