you find him?'

'Lady,' answered William, 'he was given me by the King.'

'My Lord,' said Gibourc, 'be sure you see that he is honourably
treated. He looks to me to be of high birth. Has he been baptized?'

'No, Madam, he is not a Christian. He was brought from Spain as a
child, and kept for seven years in the kitchen. But take him, I pray
you, under your protection, and do with him as you will.'

The Count was hungry, and while waiting for dinner to be served he
stood with Gibourc at the windows which looked out beyond the city. An
army was drawing near; thousands of men, well mounted and freshly
equipped. 'Gibourc!' cried the Count joyfully, 'here is my brother
Ernaut de Gironde, with his vassals. Now all the Saracens in the world
shall not prevent Bertrand from being delivered to-morrow.'

'No,' answered Gibourc, 'nor Vivian from being avenged.'

On all sides warriors began to arrive, led by the fathers of those who
had been taken prisoners with Bertrand, and with them came Aimeri de
Narbonne and the brothers of William. Glad was the heart of the Count
as he bade them welcome to his Palace of Gloriette, and ordered a
feast to be made ready, and showed each Knight where he should sit.

It was late before the supper was served, but when every man had his
trencher filled Rainouart entered the hall, armed with his staff, and
stood leaning against a pillar, watching the noble company. 'Sir,'
said Aimeri, the man whom the Saracens most dreaded, 'who is it that I
see standing there holding a piece of wood that five peasants could
hardly lift? Does he mean to murder us?'

'That youth,' replied William, 'is a gift to me from King Louis. None
living is as strong as he.' Then Aimeri called Rainouart, and bade him
sit at his side, and eat and drink as he would. 'Noble Count,' said
Aimeri, 'such men grow not on every bush. Keep him and cherish him,
and bring him with you to the Aliscans. For with his staff he will
slay many Pagans.'

'Yes,' answered Rainouart, 'wherever I appear the Pagans will fall
dead at the sight of me.' Aimeri and William laughed to hear him, but
ere four days were past they had learnt what he was worth.

Rainouart went back to the kitchen and slept soundly, but as he had
drunk much wine the cooks and scullions thought to play jokes upon
him, and lighted some wooden shavings with which to burn his
moustache. At the first touch of the flame Rainouart leapt to his
feet, seized the head cook by his