e convoy passed by the convent, the cavaliers looked
forth and beheld their commander borne along bleeding and a captive.
Furious at the sight, they sallied forth to the rescue, but were repulsed
by a superior force, and driven back to the great portal of the church.
The enemy entered pell mell with them, fighting from aisle to aisle, from
altar to altar, and in the courts and cloisters of the convent. The
greater part of the cavaliers died bravely, sword in hand; the rest were
disabled with wounds and made prisoners. The convent, which was lately
their castle, was now made their prison, and in after-times, in
commemoration of this event, was consecrated by the name of St. George of
the Captives.

The loyalty and the prowess of the good knight Pelistes had gained him the
reverence even of his enemies. He was for a long time disabled by his
wounds, during which he was kindly treated by the Arab chieftains, who
strove by every courteous means to cheer his sadness and make him forget
that he was a captive. When he was recovered from his wounds they gave him
a magnificent banquet to testify their admiration of his virtues.

Pelistes appeared at the banquet clad in sable armor, and with a
countenance pale and dejected; for the ills of his country evermore preyed
upon his heart. Among the assembled guests was Count Julian, who held a
high command in the Moslem army, and was arrayed in garments of mingled
Christian and Morisco fashion. Pelistes had been a close and bosom friend
of Julian in former times, and had served with him in the wars in Africa;
but when the count advanced to accost him with his wonted amity, he turned
away in silence, and deigned not to notice him; neither during the whole
of the repast did he address to him ever a word, but treated him as one
unknown.

When the banquet was nearly at a close, the discourse turned upon the
events of the war; and the Moslem chieftains, in great courtesy, dwelt
upon the merits of many of the Christian cavaliers who had fallen in
battle, and all extolled the valor of those who had recently perished in
the defence of the convent. Pelistes remained silent for a time, and
checked the grief which swelled within his bosom as he thought of his
devoted cavaliers. At length, lifting up his voice, 'Happy are the dead,'
said he, 'for they rest in peace, and are gone to receive the reward of
their piety and valor! I could mourn over the loss of my companions in
arms, but they have fa