264 THE BOY CRUSADERS.

on that day when they came hither to demand
tribute.’ |

‘A most worthy exploit, as 1t has been related to
me,’ replied Guy; ‘and one that does credit to his
strength and courage. But tell me, good Walter,
how rejoiced he was to see you after so long a sepa-
ration, and all your suffering on his account.’

A shade of disappointment appeared on Walter
Espec’s handsome countenance. After a pause, how-
ever, he replied — |

‘In faith, brave Guy, to be frank with you, I must
own that my brother, for whom I had so long
mourned, manifested less enthusiasm than I ex-
pected; and when I talked to him of our castellated
house of Heckspeth, on the Wansbeck, and of the
tombs of our ancestors in the Abbey of Newminster,
and even of my great namesake, the glory of our line,
I perceived right well that he cared for none of these
things. His heart and soul are in his Order, its
renown and influence; and all his hopes are for the
restoration of its glory. And nothing would serve
him but attempting to induce me to take the vows
of poverty and celibacy and obedience. But I
answered readily, that such vows were not to my
liking—that I despise not riches; that I rather love
noble demoiselles; and that I am by nature more
inclined to command than to obey; in short, that I
will neither be a warrior monk nor a monk in min-
ster. And so the great bell of the castle of St.
Katherine tolled, and we parted; and at daybreak
he mounts to ride to the castle of Kakhow, which the
knights of his Order hold.