THE WARNING REJECTED. 163

‘My masters,’ said he, bluntly, ‘we can hardly
be deemed otherwise than madmen, if we leave that
bridge standing as it is, to afford the Saracens a sate
passage over the canal, to attack us in the rear.’

‘Sir knight,’ replied the French drily, for they did
not relish an Eneglishman’s interference, ‘it is not
from that quarter that danger is most to be appre-
hended.’

‘ Nevertheless,’ urged Bisset.

‘We are wasting time to no purpose,’ said the
French; ‘and this day, time is more precious than
your counsel,’

‘As you will, my masters,’ replied Bisset; ‘ only
credit me, that if you leave that bridge behind you
to facilitate the operations of your enemies, you will
place your army in such a predicament, that neither
the craft of Alexander of Macedon, nor William the
Norman—could either come from their graves to
lead—-would avail to save it from destruction ere
reaching Damietta.’

And having administered this warning, Bisset
withdrew, with the consolation of aman who has done
at least his duty, and with.the air also of a man
much too reckless as to his personal safety to fear
much on his own account from the consequences of
the blunders and incapacity of others; then, arming
himself, he saddled his steed, girded on his sword,
hung his battle-axe at his saddle-bow, and went to
attend King Louis during the perilous enterprise of
marching through a country, with armed foes posted
at the turn of every road.

‘Hearken to that English tail,’ said the French