A LESSON FROM THE SARACENS, 257

‘ How,’ asked they, one of another, * can we dis-
parage this man, because he was an Englishman,
when even the Saracens accord the honour due to
his nobility of soul r’

Accordingly, the Crusaders requested that Salis-
bury’s bones might be given to them; they carried
them to Acre, where they were laid, with much
respect, in the church of the Holy Cross.

It was on the afternoon of the day when the
burial took place that Bisset, who had been matur-
ing his project of repairing to Constantinople, entered
his lodgings, and took Walter Espec by one hand and
Guy Muschamp by the other.

‘ Boys,’ said he, ‘this crusade, as I foresaw, has
resulted in naught save disaster, and, as fighting
men, it behoves us to consider whither we are now
to carry our swords. For my part, I am resolved to
turn the gifts of the Tartar warrior into money, and
make without delay for Constantinople, and fight for
the Latin Emperor. Are you willing to accompany
me and share my fortunes, or must we part?’

‘ In truth, sir knight,’ replied Walter, frankly, ‘ I
sigh for the green fields and the oak forests of my
native land; and, therefore, I would fain embark with
the army of King Louis, and return to Europe.’

‘ As you will, sir squire,’ said Bisset, a little morti-
fied: ‘albeit, I cannot but deem that you are not moved
so much by the desire to visit your native land, as to
be near to a certain noble demoiselle, on whose grati-
tulle you have some claims. Well, on my life, I
blame you not; for at your age I might have felt as
you do, and, mayhap, lived to repent my delusion.