THE KNIGHTS OF ST. KATHERINE. 219

time to be at the Castle of Kakhow; and, as if to pro-
voke a conflict that they might have the satisfaction
of conquering, one of the warrior monks, who seemed
very young, at a signal from the marshal of the Order
left his companions, and spurring gallantly forward,
with marvellous skill unhorsed two of the Saracens
without breaking his lance. On this, the leader of
the Saracens, perceiving that the knight was alone,
rode forward to meet him; but the youth charged
him so fiercely that he was fain to retreat desperately
wounded, and then returned leisurely to his com-
rades.

After some hesitation the Saracens withdrew, and
the Knights of St. Katherine rode calmly back to
their castle.

And now let us follow Bisset and Walter Espec.

About the distance of a league from Acre is a
place which was then known as Passe-Poulain, where,
shaded by foliage, were many beautiful springs of
water, with which the sugar-canes were irrigated.
It was at Passe-Poulain that the Saracens who
carried off Adeline de Brienne halted to await
the report of their comrades, and, little thinking of
their danger, dismounted to quench their thirst and
rest their steeds; the Saracen who bad charge of
the damsel alone remaining on horseback, and tena-
ciously keeping hold of his prize.

Suddenly all of them started in surprise; for one
of the horses raised his head and neighed; and the
Saracens had scarcely ceased their conversation and
begun to listen, when, with loud shouts of ‘ Holy
cross!’ Bisset and his riders emerged from the foliage