TIE CALIPH, MAMELUKES, AND MOGULS. 231

posed to conjure up, than reality ; and the Crusaders
gazed for a while with silent admiration.

‘On my faith,’ said Bisset, at lenoth breaking the
silence, ‘this is marvellous to behold; and _ yet,
had I the ear of the pope of the infidels, I should
recommend an addition which would be to the
purpose. J mean such a statue of the goddess
Minerva as once stood in the great square of Con-
stantinople.’

‘ And wherefore?’

‘Because Minerva is the goddess who presides
over prudence and valour; and my eyes have de-
ceived me if, in this city, there is not a lack of both.
Marked you not, as we rode along, that the place
is well nigh without defences and fighting men;
and think you that, with such spoil in prospect, the
Mamelukes, not to mention the Moguls, would
hesitate about seizing it?’

‘You err,’ replied the Templar: ‘the caliph, as you
say, is the pope of the infidels, and the Mamelukes
hold everything he possesses as sacred.’

‘So did they last century,’ remarked Bisset, ele-
vating his shoulders ; ‘and yet Saladin killed a
caliph with his mace; and as for the Moguls, you
know they are almost Christians, and Father Rubru-
quis is now in Tartary, completing their conversion.
Beshrew me, sir Templar, if I deem not this caliph
foolhardy to run the risk of being attacked, without
fighting men to defend him.’

As the English knight spoke, an officer of the
caliph appeared to conduct the ambassadors to their
lodgings; and they, having refreshed themselves with