a Saracen, but he
will never reveal the name of his father. Not knowing what to do with
him, I sent him to the kitchen."

"Give him to me, King Louis," said William, smiling, "I promise you he
shall have plenty to eat."

"Willingly," answered the King.

Far off in the kitchen Rainouart was chafing at the sound of the
horses' hoofs, and at the scraps of talk let fall by the Knights, who
were seeing to the burnishing of their armour before they started to
fight the Saracens. "To think," he said to himself, "that I, who am of
right King of Spain, should be loitering here, heaping logs on the fire
and skimming the pot. But let King Louis look to himself! Before a
year is past I will snatch the crown from his head."

When the army was ready to march he made up his mind what to do, and it
was thus that he sought out William in the great hall. "Noble Count,
let me come with you, I implore you. I can help to look after the
horses and cook the food, and if at any time blows are needed I can
strike as well as any man."

"Good fellow," answered William, who wished to try what stuff he was
made of, "how could you, who have passed your days in the kitchen,
sleeping on the hearth when you were not busy turning the spit--how
could you bear all the fatigue of war, the long fasts, and the longer
watches? Before a month had passed you would be dead by the roadside!"

"Try me," said he, "and if you will not have me I will go alone, and
fight barefoot. My only weapon will be an iron-bound staff, and it
shall kill as many Saracens as the best sword among you all."

"Come then," answered the Count.

PART IX.

The next morning the army set forth, and Alix and the Queen watched
them go from the steps of the Palace. When Alix saw Rainouart stepping
proudly along with his heavy staff on his shoulder her heart stirred,
and she said to her mother, "See, what a goodly young man! In the
whole army there is not one like him! Let me bid him farewell, for
nevermore shall I see his match."

"Peace! my daughter," answered the Queen, "I hope indeed that he may
never more return to Laon." Alix took no heed of her mother's words,
but signed to Rainouart to draw near. Then she put her arms round his
neck, and said, "Brother, you have been a long time at Court, and now
you are going to fight under my uncle's banner. If ever I have given
you pain, I ask your pardon." After that she kissed him, and bade him
go.

[Illustration: Al