vely to fall on the paladin in
case of the worst, and so extinguish him with numbers. He had also, by
Gan's advice, brought heaps of wine and good cheer to be set before his
victims in the first instance; "for that," said the traitor, "will
render the onset the more effective, the feasters being unarmed. One
thing, however, I must not forget," added he; "my son Baldwin is sure
to be with Orlando; you must take care of his life for my sake."

"I give him this vesture off my own body," said the king; "let him wear
it in the battle, and have no fear. My soldiers shall be directed not
to touch him."

Gan went away rejoicing to France. He embraced the sovereign and the
court all round with the air of a man who had brought them nothing but
blessings, and the old king wept for very tenderness and delight.

"Something is going on wrong, and looks very black," thought Malagigi,
the good wizard; "Rinaldo is not here, and it is indispensably
necessary that he should be. I must find out where he is, and
Ricciardetto too, and send for them with all speed."

Malagigi called up by his art a wise, terrible, and cruel spirit, named
Ashtaroth. "Tell me, and tell me truly, of Rinaldo," said Malagigi to
the spirit. The demon looked hard at the paladin, and said nothing. His
aspect was clouded and violent.

The enchanter, with an aspect still cloudier, bade Ashtaroth lay down
that look, and made signs as if he would resort to angrier compulsion;
and the devil, alarmed, loosened his tongue, and said, "You have not
told me what you desire to know of Rinaldo."

"I desire to know what he has been doing, and where he is."

"He has been conquering and baptizing the world, east and west," said
the demon, "and is now in Egypt with Ricciardetto."

"And what has Gan been plotting with Marsilius?" inquired Malagigi;
"and what is to come of it?"

"I know not," said the devil. "I was not attending to Gan at the time,
and we fallen spirits know not the future. All I discern is that by the
signs and comets in the heavens something dreadful is about to
happen--something very strange, treacherous, and bloody; and that Gan
has a seat ready prepared for him in hell."

"Within three days," cried the enchanter, loudly, "bring Rinaldo and
Ricciardetto into the pass of Ronces-Valles. Do it, and I hereby
undertake to summon thee no more."

"Suppose they will not trust themselves with me?" said the spirit.

"Enter Rinaldo's horse, and bring him, wheth