h his leave, for he knew well if
they went they would not escape. Still they said, would he suffer them
to go, and much they prayed him. Then, when he heard that they had so
great a mind to go, he said thus: 'I do not know your thoughts at all,
but beware if you go that your thoughts are always to God.' They said
they only wished to go for great good, if they could accomplish it.
Then the Cardinal said they could go if they wished, and they departed
from the Christian host into the host of the Saracens."

Francis was full of confidence. As he travelled he sang, "Though I
walk in the midst of shadows of death, I fear no evil." On his way he
met two little sheep. This sight gave him much cheer.

"Be of good comfort," he said to Illuminato, "it is the accomplishment
of the words of the Gospel, 'Behold I send you as sheep in the midst
of wolves.'"

[Sidenote: _The Saracens._]

And the wolves were not very far behind. They appeared in the shape of
some Saracen soldiers, who taking them at first for refugees or envoys
let them go quietly on, but when they found out that the brethren had
no message and that they not only refused to give up the Christian
religion, but had come to preach it, they abused them and loaded them
with chains. Francis never lost his presence of mind. He knew one word
of Arabic, and that was "Soldan"--Sultan. As the soldiers beat him he
cried lustily "Soldan, Soldan," and they understood that he wanted to
be taken to their Chief.

The Sultan was called by the Arabs, Malek-Camel, or the "Perfect
Prince." He was very far from being a perfect character, but for a
Mussulman, he was not ferocious. When Francis and Illuminato came
before him they saluted him. Malek-Camel saluted them, and asked if
they wished to become Saracens, or had they come with a message.

"Saracens we will never be," they said, "but we have come with a
message from God that will save your life. For we say that if you die
under this law you are lost, and for that we have come to you, and if
you will listen to us we will show you that you are lost!"

The Sultan said meekly that he had very good Archbishops and Bishops
of his own.

"Of this we are glad," the missionaries replied, "send and fetch
them."

So the Sultan actually sent and fetched eight. He told them what they
were wanted for, and repeated to them his conversation with Francis.
But there was no mercy in this quarter.

"Sire," they said, "thou art expert in the law