263 THE BOY CRUSADERS.

‘Why, then, do you advise me to qu.t it?’ asked
the king. 7

‘ Oh, sire,’ answered the skipper, ‘ we are different
sort of beings; for there is no sum, however great,
that could compensate for the loss of yourself and
the queen and your children; and we cannot advise
you to run such a risk.’

‘Ah,’ replied the king, ‘now that you have an-
swered, I will tell you what I think of the matter.
Suppose I quit this vessel, there are five hundred
persons on board, who will remain in Cyprus for fear
of the danger that may befall them should they stay
on board. Now,’ continued Louis, § there is not one
among them who is attached to his own person more
than I am myself; and, if we land, they will lose all
hope of returning to their own country. Therefore,
I declare I will rather expose myself, the queen, and
my children to some danger, under the providence of
God, than make such numbers of people suffer as are
now with me.’

The example which Louis set inspired the com-
panions of his voyage with courage; and the flect
having resumed its course, encountered, but survived,
a violent storm, took in water at Cyprus, and soon
alter came in sight of Lampedosa, an island which
was then uninhabited. And here a strange incident
occurred.

It happened ‘that King Louis and his company,
including Walter Espec and Guy Muschamp, landed,
and, same climbing among the rocks, discovered a
hermitage, with a handsome garden, planted with
olives, figs, vines, and many other fruit trees, and