THE BOY CRUSADERS AGAIN MERT. 235

ground, but held his head aloft with the air of one
whom circumstances could not depress; and Walter
felt his heart beat and his brain whirl, and stopped
suddenly, with an exclamation of surprise, as in this
youth he recognised an old acquaintance.

Immediately it appeared that the recognition was
mutual. Indeed, the captive no sooner observed
Walter than, disregarding the remonstrances of the
old Saracen, and forgetful for the moment of hig
chains, he broke away from his companions, and
hobbling, not without danger of a fall, fairly flung
himself into the Boy Crusader’s arms.

‘Oh, good Walter,’ exclaimed he, ‘ what a surprise!
The idea of your being here, and at a time when
they are-threatening to put me to death because
I will not embrace the filthy religion of their false
prophet. _ But, thanks to our lady the Virgin, I now
feel that I am saved.’

‘In truth, brave Guy,’ replied Walter, much af-
fected, ‘you are saved, if my efforts can save you.
I have mourned for you as for one dead; and I swear
by holy Katherine, who hath preserved me miracu-
lously through manifold dangers, that if I fail I
remain to share your fate, for weal or for woe. But
how came you hither ?’

‘By St. John of Beverley,’ answered Guy, ‘ not
with my own goodwill, as you may swear on the
Evangelists. [was dragged out of the galley of the
Lord of Joinville, and, with my hands chained be-
hind my back, I was, in that base, unworthy plight,
led captive to Cairo; and, when the Mamelukes
killed their sultan, and the sultana, that dark-eyed