ore a Christian
altar. The walls of that chapel were of almost as many precious
stones as Saint John enumerates in describing the New Jerusalem.
Its rich colouring, its dim religious light, its devout psalmody;
oh, how soothing to the wearied spirit.

And then he reclined that afternoon in a delicious Eastern garden,
rich with the perfume of many flowers, shaded by spreading trees,
vocal with the sound of many fountains; and there, at the request
of the fraternity, he related his wondrous adventures to the men
who had erst heard his father's tale.

The time of his arrival was between the sixth and the seventh, or
last, crusade; during which period Acre, situated about seventy
miles from Jerusalem, had become the metropolis of the Christians
{31} in Palestine, after the loss of the Holy City. It was
adorned with noble buildings, aqueducts, artificial harbour, and
strong fortifications. From hence such pilgrims as dared venture
made their hazardous visits to Jerusalem, which they could only
enter as a favour, granted in return for much expenditure of
treasure and submission to many humiliations; and thus Hubert was
forced to accomplish his father's vow, setting forth so soon as his
strength was restored.

Chapter 24: Before The Battle.

The civil war had been long delayed, after men saw that it was
inevitable, but when it once begun there was no lack of activity on
either side. Two armies were moving about England, and the march of
each was accompanied (says an ancient writer) with plunder, fire,
and slaughter. In time of peace men would believe themselves
incapable of the deeds they commit in time of war: "Is thy servant
a dog that he should do this thing?" as one said of old when before
the prescient seer who foresaw in the humble suppliant the ruthless
warrior.

The one army, the royal one, was reinforced by the forces of the
Scottish barons, under men whose names became afterwards
historical, such as John Balliol and Robert Bruce. Prince Edward, a
master of the art of war, although still young, and already marked
by that sternness of character which distinguished his latter days,
was in chief command, and he pursued his devastating course through
the Midlands. Nottingham and Leicester, whence his great opponent
derived his title, opened their gates to him. He marched thence for
London, but Earl Simon threw himself into the city, returning from
Rochester, which he had cleverly taken by means of fire ships