ered the cowards; 'the Count has dismissed us, and when we reach
our homes we shall bathe ourselves and have good cheer, and see to the
rebuilding of our castles, which have fallen into ill-repair during
the wars. With William one has to bear pains without end, and at
the last to die suffering. Come with us, if you are a wise man.'

[Illustration: RAINOUART STOPS THE COWARDS]

'Ask someone else,' said Rainouart; 'Count William has given me the
command of the army, and it is to him that I have to render account.
Do you think I shall let you run away like hares? By Saint Denis! not
another step shall you stir!' And, swinging his staff round his head,
he laid about him. Struck dumb with terror at the sight of their
comrades falling rapidly round them they had no mind to go on, and
cried with one voice, 'Sir Rainouart, we will return and fight with
you in the Aliscans; you shall lead us whither you will.' So they
turned their horses' heads and rode the way they had come, and
Rainouart followed, keeping guard over them with his staff. When they
reached the army he went straight to William, and begged that he might
have the command of them. 'I will change them into a troop of lions,'
said he.

Harsh words and gibes greeted the cowards, but Rainouart soon forced
the mockers to silence. 'Leave my men alone!' he cried, 'or by the
faith I owe to Gibourc I will make you. I am a King's son, and the
time has come to show you what manner of man I am. I have idled long,
but I will idle no longer. I am of the blood royal, and the saying is
true that good blood cannot lie.'

'How well he speaks!' whispered the Franks to each other, for they
dared not let their voices be heard.

Now the battle was to begin, for the two armies were drawn up in
fighting array, and Rainouart took his place at the head of his
cowards opposite the Saracens, from which race he sprang.

The charge was sounded, and the two armies met with a shock, and many
a man fell from his horse and was trampled under foot. 'Narbonne!
Narbonne!' shouted Aimeri, advancing within reach of a crossbow shot,
and he would have been slain had not his sons dashed to his rescue.
Count William did miracles, and the Saracens were driven so far back
that Rainouart feared that the battle would be ended before he had
struck a blow.

Followed by his troop of cowards Rainouart made straight for the
enemy, and before him they fell as corn before a sickle. 'Strike,
soldiers,' shouted