f thought'st him so likely to spurn at?"

"Now, by Mahound and Termagaunt, for Christian oaths are out of
fashion," said Conrade, "sayest thou the proud King of England
would unite his blood with a heathen Soldan? My policy threw in that
ingredient to make the whole treaty an abomination to him. As bad for us
that he become our master by an agreement, as by victory."

"Thy policy hath ill calculated Richard's digestion," answered the
Templar; "I know his mind by a whisper from the Archbishop. And then thy
master-stroke respecting yonder banner--it has passed off with no more
respect than two cubits of embroidered silk merited. Marquis Conrade,
thy wit begins to halt; I will trust thy finespun measures no longer,
but will try my own. Knowest thou not the people whom the Saracens call
Charegites?"

"Surely," answered the Marquis; "they are desperate and besotted
enthusiasts, who devote their lives to the advancement of
religion---somewhat like Templars, only they are never known to pause in
the race of their calling."

"Jest not," answered the scowling monk. "Know that one of these men has
set down in his bloody vow the name of the Island Emperor yonder, to be
hewn down as the chief enemy of the Moslem faith."

"A most judicious paynim," said Conrade. "May Mohammed send him his
paradise for a reward!"

"He was taken in the camp by one of our squires, and in private
examination frankly avowed his fixed and determined purpose to me," said
the Grand Master.

"Now the heavens pardon them who prevented the purpose of this most
judicious Charegite!" answered Conrade.

"He is my prisoner," added the Templar, "and secluded from speech with
others, as thou mayest suppose; but prisons have been broken--"

"Chains left unlocked, and captives have escaped," answered the Marquis.
"It is an ancient saying, no sure dungeon but the grave."

"When loose, he resumes his quest," continued the military priest; "for
it is the nature of this sort of blood hound never to quit the suit of
the prey he has once scented."

"Say no more of it," said the Marquis; "I see thy policy--it is
dreadful, but the emergency is imminent."

"I only told thee of it," said the Templar, "that thou mayest keep
thyself on thy guard; for the uproar will be dreadful, and there is
no knowing on whom the English may vent their rage. Ay, and there
is another risk. My page knows the counsels of this Charegite," he
continued; "and, moreover, he is a peevish,