ulting and defiant, and the rage of
Charlemagne was roused in the highest degree. He was at first disposed
to wreak his vengeance upon Ogier, his hostage; but at the entreaties
of Duke Namo, who felt towards his pupil like a father, consented to
spare his life, if Ogier would swear fidelity to him as his liege-lord,
and promise not to quit his court without his permission. Ogier
accepted these terms, and was allowed to retain all the freedom he had
before enjoyed.

The Emperor would have immediately taken arms to reduce his disobedient
vassal, if he had not been called off in another direction by a message
from Pope Leo, imploring his assistance. The Saracens had landed in the
neighborhood of Rome, occupied Mount Janiculum, and prepared to pass
the Tiber and carry fire and sword to the capital of the Christian
world. Charlemagne hesitated not to yield to the entreaties of the
Pope. He speedily assembled an army, crossed the Alps, traversed Italy,
and arrived at Spoleto, a strong place to which the Pope had retired.
Leo, at the head of his Cardinals, advanced to meet him, and rendered
him homage, as to the son of Pepin, the illustrious protector of the
Holy See, coming, as his father had done, to defend it in the hour of
need.

Charlemagne stopped but two days at Spoleto, and learning that the
Infidels, having rendered themselves masters of Rome, were besieging
the Capitol, which could not long hold out against them, marched
promptly to attack them.

The advanced posts of the army were commanded by Duke Namo, on whom
Ogier waited as his squire. He did not yet bear arms, not having
received the order of knighthood. The Oriflamme, the royal standard,
was borne by a knight named Alory, who showed himself unworthy of the
honor.

Duke Namo, seeing a strong body of the Infidels advancing to attack
him, gave the word to charge them. Ogier remained in the rear, with the
other youths, grieving much that he was not permitted to fight. Very
soon he saw Alory lower the Oriflamme, and turn his horse in flight.
Ogier pointed him out to the young men, and seizing a club, rushed upon
Alory and struck him from his horse. Then, with his companions, he
disarmed him, clothed himself in his armor, raised the Oriflamme, and
mounting the horse of the unworthy knight, flew to the front rank,
where he joined Duke Namo, drove back the Infidels, and carried the
Oriflamme quite through their broken ranks. The Duke, thinking it was
Alory, whom