THE LOST BROTHER. 263

Walter, taking his friend’s hand. <‘ Rejoice with me,
my brother-in-arms, for I have found him who was
lost.’

‘Found your brother! — found QOsbert Espec!?
exclaimed Guy, in surprise.

‘It is true as that [am a living man,’ replied Walter,
joyfully. ‘ When he reached Marseilles with the com-
panions of his pilgrimage, instead, like them, of going
back to die of hunger in the forests, or listening, like
them, to the temptations of the two rascal merchants
by whom they were ensnared, he embarked on board
the “ Christopher,” which was on the point of sailing
for Acre; and the skipper, having brought him ashore,
carried him to the house of a Northern knight, who
had long been fighting for the Cross. And this noble
walrior, being about to return to England, placed
bim under the protection of the Grand Master of the
Order of St. Katherine; and, when he was of a fitting
age, the grand master, to whom the name of Espec
was honourably known, made him take the vows of
the Order. And now, thanks to God and Holy
Katherine, he is in safety and honour, and rides
bravely as the bravest among his brethren, with his
white mantle over his chain mail.’

‘By St. John of Beverley!’ exclaimed Guy, in
surprise, ‘I much rejoice to hear that he was so
graciously protected by the saints in the hour of
danger, and that his fortune has been such as is
worthy of a Norman gentleman.’

‘ And what is more,’ said Walter, proudly, ‘it was
he who unhorsed the two Saracens with his lance
without breaking it, and who wounded their leader