in truth a rich
prize; and let us not risk the loss of it by loitering on the way.'

And without waste of time--for a rescue was not impossible--they secured
their booty, and marched with what speed they could towards Damietta.

'Sir squire,' said Lord Robert de Vere, riding up to Walter Espec, whose
conduct Longsword had commended, 'your position in the earl's absence
was not quite so pleasant as a bed of roses.'

'In truth, my lord,' replied Walter, thoughtfully, 'now that the danger
is over, I cannot but deem that you came just in time to save us from
death or captivity.'

'And you marvelled that we tarried so long?'

'Much,' replied Walter; 'and had given up all hope of your return.
However,' added he, 'I perceive that your time was by no means wasted.'

'You speak truly,' said De Vere. 'Never were men more successful in an
adventure. By accident, we found ourselves hard by the castle of some
wealthy Saracen, and determined to seize it; so, overcoming all
resistance, we took it by storm, and found therein much booty, and a
bevy of Saracen ladies; and, having given them to understand that they
were captives of our swords and lances, we are carrying them to
Damietta.'

'On my faith!' said Walter, laughing, 'Fortune seems to bestow her
favours liberally on the pilgrims from England. No saying what great
exploits my Lord of Salisbury and his knights may yet perform! One day
we seize a castle and a caravan; another day it may be a kingdom.'

'And yet,' observed De Vere, the tone of his voice suddenly changing as
he spoke, 'I am seldom in solitude without experiencing a vague feeling
that calamity is impending.'

Now this adventure, successful as it appeared, involved the English
Crusaders in serious troubles. When Salisbury, on his bay charger, rode
into Damietta, with the captive Saracen ladies and the captured caravan,
the French were moved with envy, and did not fail to express their
sentiments in strong language. Perhaps the English did not bear their
good fortune so meekly as they might have done. In any case, the French
grew more and more exasperated; and at length the quarrel reached such a
stage that the French, availing themselves of superior numbers, had
recourse to violence, and forcibly carried off part of the booty which,
at great peril and with some labour, Longsword and his men had won.

CHAPTER XVI.

A COUNCIL OF WAR.

ON the morning after the return of the Earl of Salisbury to Dami