BROKEN S!.UMBERS, 239

‘Sir knight,’ said he, earnestly, «I feel that this
place is unholy.’

‘Mayhap, boy,’ replied the knight. «But patter
your prayers, and no evil will come nigh you. For
the rest, Bagdad would be holy enough were the
walls and towers manned by Christian warriors, and
the mosques converted into churches, and I king,
with the caliph’s treasures to go forth against the
Moslem, conquering and to conquer. Oh, credit me,
it is a glorious vision. But it cannot be realised.
Marry, I spoke too truly when I said that I was
born without luck on my side.’

Night fell; the moon rose; and the Crusaders,
after for a time looking out upon innumerable stars,
glorious in the blue depths of an Asian sky, saw
to the comfort and security of their attendants, and
then stretched themselves to rest— Walter laying
himself down at the door of the chamber which Bis-
set occupied. In spite of the knight’s agitation and
the squire’s anxiety, both soon sank into sleep. But
their repose was destined to be broken. About day-
break they were awakened by cries and tumult, that
filled the palace of the caliph. Gradually, the noise
increased, and was blended with strange cries, as of
warriors storming the city. Bisset and Walter lis-
tened with breathless attention, as yell after yell,
and whoop after whoop, intimated that some terrible
catastrophe had occurred ; and as they hearkened, the
Templar, who had occupied an adjoining apartment,
rushed in, calm, but pale as a ghost.

‘Gentlemen,’ said he, * we are dead men.”