BISSET HEWS HIS WAY. 171

knight if I could not deal with three pagan
dogs.’

And terrible, even to brave foes, was the ferocity
and fury with which Bisset turned upon the Sara-
cens. Mighty was the force with which he swung
a battle-axe, ponderous enough to have served as a
weapon to Coeur de Lion. Crushed by one swoop of
the axe fell the first of the pursuers—down, as it
again swung on high, fell the second, who a moment
earlier was uttering threats of vengeance. But the
English knight had no inclination to encounter the
third antagonist. His horse, as he felt, was sinking ;
he himself was weakened by loss of blood; and,
quick as thought, he turned towards the wood of
palms and sycamores.

But a new difficulty presented itself£ Between
Bisset and the wood was a very deep ditch which
at another time would have made him pause. Now,
however, he did not hesitate, even for an instant. He
touched his steed with the spur; he spoke as if im-
ploring the noble animal to make a last effort; and
the result was a gallant bound. But the effort was
too much. In exerting itself to scramble up the
opposite bank, the good steed broke its back; and
the knight, freeing his limbs from its corse, quickly
drew his dagger and relieved it from suffering.

The delay, however, had proved dangerous. Even
as he gained one bank of the ditch the Saracen was
at the other, and preparing to launch a javelin. One
moment only intervened between the Crusader and
death ; but that moment was not neglected. With
his remaining strength Bisset raised his battle-axe,