Thesavagetoneinwhichthiswaswhispered，perhapscompletedtheconfusionoftheMarquis’snerves，forhestumbledashemadetohorse；andthoughherecoveredhisfeet，sprungtothesaddlewithhisusualagility，anddisplayedhisaddressinhorsemanshipasheassumedhispositionoppositetothechallenger’s，yettheaccidentdidnotescapethosewhowereonthewatchforomens，whichmightpredictthefateoftheday。
Thepriests，afterasolemnprayerthatGodwouldshowtherightfulquarrel，departedfromthelists。Thetrumpetsofthechallengerthenrungaflourish，andaherald-at-armsproclaimedattheeasternendofthelists，-Herestandsagoodknight，SirKennethofScotland，championfortheroyalKingRichardofEngland，whoaccusethConrade，MarquisofMontserrat，offoultreasonanddishonourdonetothesaidKing。’’
WhenthewordsKennethofScotlandannouncedthenameandcharacterofthechampion，hithertoscarcegenerallyknown，aloudandcheerfulacclaimburstfromthefollowersofKingRichard，andhardly，notwithstandingrepeatedcommandsofsilence，sufferedthereplyofthedefendanttobeheard。He，ofcourse，avouchedhisinnocence，andofferedhisbodyforbattle。
Theesquiresofthecombatantsnowapproached，anddeliveredtoeachhisshieldandlance，assistingtohangtheformeraround。
hisneck，thathistwohandsmightremainfree，oneforthemanagementofthebridle，theothertodirectthelance。
TheshieldoftheScotdisplayedhisoldbearing，theleopard，butwiththeadditionofacollarandbrokenchain，inallusiontohislatecaptivity。TheshieldoftheMarquisbore，inreferencetohistitle，aserratedandrockymountain。Eachshookhislancealoft，asiftoascertaintheweightandtoughnessoftheunwieldyweapon，andthenlaiditintherest。Thesponsors，heralds，andsquires，nowretiredtothebarriers，andthecombatantssatoppositetoeachother，facetoface，withcouchedlanceandclosedvizor，thehumanformsocompletelyenclosed，thattheylookedmorelikestatuesofmolteniron，thanbeingsoffleshandblood。Thesilenceofsuspensewasnowgeneral-
menbreathedthicker，andtheirverysoulsseemedseatedintheireyes，whilenotasoundwastobeheardsavethesnortingandpawingofthegoodsteeds，who，sensibleofwhatwasabouttohappen，wereimpatienttodashintocareer。Theystoodthusforperhapsthreeminutes，when，atasignalgivenbytheSoldan，anhundredinstrumentsrenttheairwiththeirbrazenclamours，andeachchampionstrikinghishorsewiththespurs，andslackingtherein，thehorsesstartedintofullgallop，andtheknightsmetinmidspacewithashocklikeathunderbolt。Thevictorywasnotindoubt-no，notonemoment。Conrade，indeed，showedhimselfapractisedwarrior；forhestruckhisantagonistknightlyinthemidstofhisshield，bearinghislancesostraightandtrue，thatitshiveredintosplintersfromthesteelspear-headuptotheverygauntlet。ThehorseofSirKennethrecoiledtwoorthreeyardsandfellonhishaunches，buttheridereasilyraisedhimwithhandandrein。ButforConradetherewasnorecovery。
SirKenneth’slancehadpiercedthroughtheshield，throughaplatedcorseletofMilansteel，througha_secret，_orcoatoflinkedmail，wornbeneaththecorselet，hadwoundedhimdeepinthebosom，andbornehimfromhissaddle，leavingthetruncheonofthelancefixedinhiswound。Thesponsors，heralds，andSaladinhimself，descendingfromhisthrone，crowdedaroundthewoundedman；whileSirKenneth，whohaddrawnhisswordereyethediscoveredhisantagonistwastotallyhelpless，nowcommandedhimtoavowhisguilt。Thehelmetwashastilyunclosed，andthewoundedman，gazingwildlyonthesides，replied，-Whatwouldyoumore？-Godhathdecidedjustly-Iamguilty-butthereareworsetraitorsinthecampthanI-Inpitytomysoul，letmehaveaconfessor！’’
Herevivedasheutteredthesewords。
Thetalisman-thepowerfulremedy，royalbrother，’’saidKingRichardtoSaladin。
Thetraitor，’’answeredtheSoldan，ismorefittobedraggedfromtheliststothegallowsbytheheels，thantoprofitbyitsvirtues:-andsomesuchfateisinhislook，’’headded，aftergazingfixedlyuponthewoundedman；forthoughhiswoundmaybecured，yetAzrael’ssealisonthewretch’sbrow。’’
Nevertheless，’’saidRichard，Iprayyoudoforhimwhatyoumay，thathemayatleasthavetimeforconfession-Slaynotsoulandbody！Tohimonehalf-houroftimemaybeworthmore，bytenthousandfold，thanthelifeoftheoldestpatriarch。’’
Myroyalbrother’swishshallbeobeyed，’’saidSaladin-
Slaves，bearthiswoundedmantoourtent。’’
Donotso，’’saidtheTemplar，whohadhithertostoodgloomilylookingoninsilence-TheroyalDukeofAustriaandmyselfwillnotpermitthisunhappyChristianPrincetobedeliveredovertotheSaracens，thattheymaytrytheirspellsuponhim。Wearehissponsors，anddemandthathebeassignedtoourcare。’’
Thatis，yourefusethecertainmeansofferedtorecoverhim？’’saidRichard。
Notso，’’saidtheGrandMaster，recollectinghimself-iftheSoldanusethlawfulmedicines，hemayattendthepatientinmytent。’’
Doso，Ipraythee，goodbrother，’’saidRichardtoSaladin，thoughthepermissionbeungraciouslyyielded-Butnowtoamoregloriouswork-Sound，trumpets-shoutEngland-inhonourofEngland’schampion！’’
Drum，clarion，trumpet，andcymbal，rungforthatonce，andthedeepandregularshout，whichforageshasbeentheEnglishacclamation，soundedamidsttheshrillandirregularyellsoftheArabs，likethediapasonoftheorganamidthehowlingofastorm。Therewassilenceatlength。
BraveKnightoftheLeopard，’’resumedCurdeLion，thouhastshownthattheEthiopian_may_changehisskinandtheLeopardhisspots，thoughclerksquoteScripturefortheimpossibility。YetIhavemoretosaytoyouwhenIhaveconductedyoutothepresenceoftheladies，thebestjudges，andbestrewarders，ofdeedsofchivalry。’’
TheKnightoftheLeopardbowedassent。
Andthou，princelySaladin，wiltalsoattendthem。IpromisetheeourQueenwillnotthinkherselfwelcome，ifshelackstheopportunitytothankherroyalhostforhermostprincelyreception。’’
Saladinbenthisheadgracefully，butdeclinedtheinvitation。
Imustattendthewoundedman，’’hesaid。Theleechleavesnothispatientmorethanthechampionthelists，evenifhebesummonedtoabowerlikethoseofParadise。Andfarther，royalRichard，knowthatthebloodoftheEastflowsnotsotemperatelyinthepresenceofbeauty，asthatofyourland。WhatsaiththeBookitself？-HereyeisastheedgeoftheswordoftheProphet，whoshalllookuponit？Hethatwouldnotbeburntavoidethtotreadonhotembers-wisemenspreadnottheflaxbeforeabickeringtorch-He，saiththesage，whohathforfeitedatreasure，dothnotwiselytoturnbackhisheadtogazeatit。’’
Richard，itmaybebelieved，respectedthemotivesofdelicacywhichflowedfrommannerssodifferentfromhisown，andurgedhisrequestnofarther。
Atnoon，’’saidtheSoldan，ashedeparted，Itrustyewillallacceptacollationundertheblackcamel-skintentofachiefofCurdistan。’’
ThesameinvitationwascirculatedamongtheChristians，comprehendingallthoseofsufficientimportancetobeadmittedtositatafeastmadeforprinces。
Hark！’’saidRichard，thetimbrelsannouncethatourQueenandherattendantsareleavingtheirgallery-andsee，theturbanssinkontheground，asifstruckdownbyadestroyingangel。Alllieprostrate，asiftheglanceofanArab’seyecouldsullythelustreofalady’scheek！Come，wewilltothepavilion，andleadourconquerorthitherintriumph-HowI
pitythatnobleSoldan，whoknowsbutofloveasitisknowntothoseofinferiornature！’’
Blondeltunedhisharptoitsboldestmeasure，towelcometheintroductionofthevictorintothepavilionofQueenBerengaria。
Heentered，supportedoneithersidebyhissponsors，RichardandWilliamLongsword，andkneltgracefullydownbeforetheQueen，thoughmorethanhalfthehomagewassilentlyrenderedtoEdith，whosatonherrighthand。
Unarmhim，mymistresses，’’saidtheKing，whosedelightwasintheexecutionofsuchchivalroususages-LetBeautyhonourChivalry！Undohisspurs，Berengaria；Queenthoughthoube，thouowesthimwhatmarksoffavourthoucanstgive-
Unlacehishelmet，Edith-bythishand，thoushalt，wertthoutheproudestPlantagenetoftheline，andhethepoorestknightonearth！’’
Bothladiesobeyedtheroyalcommands，-Berengariawithbustlingassiduity，asanxioustogratifyherhusband’shumour，andEdithblushingandgrowingpalealternately，asslowlyandawkwardlysheundid，withLongsword’sassistance，thefasteningswhichsecuredthehelmettothegorget。
Andwhatexpectyoufrombeneaththisironshell？’’saidRichard，astheremovalofthecasquegavetoviewthenoblecountenanceofSirKenneth，hisfaceglowingwithrecentexertion，andnotlesssowithpresentemotion。Whatthinkyeofhim，gallantsandbeauties？’’saidRichard。DothheresembleanEthiopianslave，ordothhepresentthefaceofanobscureandnamelessadventurer？No，bymygoodsword！-
Hereterminatehisvariousdisguises。Hehathkneltdownbeforeyou，unknownsavebyhisworth-hearises，equallydistinguishedbybirthandfortune。Theadventurousknight，Kenneth，arisesDavid，EarlofHuntingdon，PrinceRoyalofScotland！’’
Therewasageneralexclamationofsurprise，andEdithdroppedfromherhandthehelmetwhichshehadjustreceived。
Yes，mymasters，’’saidtheKing，itisevenso。YeknowhowScotlanddeceiveduswhensheproposedtosendthisvaliantEarl，withaboldcompanyofherbestandnoblest，toaidourarmsinthisconquestofPalestine，butfailedtocomplywithherengagements。Thisnobleyouth，underwhomtheScottishCrusadersweretohavebeenarrayed，thoughtfoulscornthathisarmshouldbewithheldfromtheholywarfare，andjoinedusatSicilywithasmalltrainofdevotedandfaithfulattendants，whichwasaugmentedbymanyofhiscountrymentowhomtherankoftheirleaderwasunknown。TheconfidantsoftheRoyalPrincehadall，savingoneoldfollower，fallenbydeath，whenhissecret，buttoowellkept，hadnearlyoccasionedmycuttingoff，inaScottishadventurer，oneofthenoblesthopesofEurope-Whydidyounotmentionyourrank，nobleHuntingdon，whenendangeredbymyhastyandpassionatesentence？-WasitthatyouthoughtRichardcapableofabusingtheadvantageIpossessedovertheheirofaKingwhomIhavesooftenfoundhostile？’’
Ididyounotthatinjustice，royalRichard，’’answeredtheEarlofHuntingdon；butmypridebrookednotthatIshouldavowmyselfPrinceofScotlandinordertosavemylife，endangeredfordefaultofloyalty。And，moreover，IhadmademyvowtopreservemyrankunknowntilltheCrusadeshouldbeaccomplished；nordidImentionitsave_inarticulomortis，_
andunderthesealofconfession，toyonderreverendhermit。’’
Itwastheknowledgeofthatsecret，then，whichmadethegoodmansourgentwithmetorecallmyseveresentence？’’
saidRichard。Welldidhesay，that，hadthisgoodknightfallenbymymandate，Ishouldhavewishedthedeedundonethoughithadcostmealimb-Alimb！-Ishouldhavewisheditundonehaditcostmemylife-sincetheworldwouldhavesaidthatRichardhadabusedtheconditioninwhichtheheirofScotlandhadplacedhimself，byhisconfidenceinhisgenerosity。’’
Yetmayweknowofyourgracebywhatstrangeandhappychancethisriddlewasatlengthread？’’saidtheQueenBerengaria。
LetterswerebroughttousfromEngland，’’saidtheKing，inwhichwelearnt，amongotherunpleasantnews，thattheKingofScotlandhadseizeduponthreeofournobles，whenonapilgrimagetoSaintNinian，andallegedasacause，thathisheir，beingsupposedtobefightingintheranksoftheTeutonicKnights，againsttheheathenofBorussia，was，infact，inourcampandinourpower；and，therefore，Williamproposedtoholdthesenoblesashostagesforhissafety。ThisgavemethefirstlightontherealrankoftheKnightoftheLeopard，andmysuspicionswereconfirmedbyDeVaux，who，onhisreturnfromAscalon，broughtbackwithhimtheEarlofHuntingdon’ssoleattendant，athick-skulledslave，whohadgonethirtymilestounfoldtoDeVauxasecretheshouldhavetoldtome。’’
OldStrauchanmustbeexcused，’’saidtheLordofGilsland。
HeknewfromexperiencethatmyheartissomewhatsofterthanifIwrotemyselfPlantagenet。’’
Thyheartsoft？thoucommodityofoldiron-andCumberlandflintthatthouart！’’exclaimedtheKing-ItiswePlantagenetswhoboastsoftandfeelinghearts，Edith，’’turningtohiscousin，withanexpressionwhichcalledthebloodintohercheek-Givemethyhand，myfaircousin，and，PrinceofScotland，thine。’’
Forbear，mylord，’’saidEdith，hangingback，andendeavouringtohideherconfusion，underanattempttorallyherroyalkinsman’scredulity。RememberyounotthatmyhandwastobethesignalofconvertingtotheChristianfaiththeSaracenandArab，Saladinandallhisturbanedhost？’’
Ay，butthewindofprophecyhathchoppedabout，andsitsnowinanothercorner，’’repliedRichard。
