ONE OF THE BROTHERS-IN-ARMS AMISSING. li?

most probable account is that, seeing all was lost, |
he turned his horse’s head, with a vague hope of
reaching the main body of the Crusaders, and, while
attempting to cross one of the branches of the Nile,
sank never more to rise.

It was about this time that King Louis had moved
towards the Achmoun; and the Constable of France,
with the king’s crossbowmen under his command,
just as the sun was setting came to the bridge which
had been so bravely defended.

‘Seneschal,’ said he, addressing Joinville, ‘you
and your comrades have behaved well in guarding
this bridge; and now, all danger being over in this
quarter, [ pray you to accompany the Lord John de
Valery to the king, who is about to go to his
pavilion.’

And Joinville went as the constable requested ;
and while his companions were pursuing their way
towards the king’s red pavilion —that pavilion in
which the Emir Fakreddin had boasted he would
dine on the day of St. Sebastian — Guy Muschamp
approached Bisset, the English knight, and entreated
his attention.

‘Sir knight,’ said he, ‘I would fain enquire if you
know what has befallen the English squire, by name
Walter Espec ?’

‘Boy,’ replied Bisset, ‘I know not what may have
befallen him; but, if I were to hazard a guess, I
should say that he died, and died bravely. I re-
member me that he fought to the last; and I hoped
that he was destined to escape, as I did; but I grieve
to say that he failed so to do.’