im out bumpers of wine, and after dinner
every man tried to lift his iron-bound staff, but none could raise it
from the ground, except William himself, who by putting forth all his
strength lifted it the height of a foot.

"Let me aid you," said Rainouart, and he whirled it round his head,
throwing it lightly from hand to hand. "We are wasting time," he said.
"I fear lest the Saracens should fly before we come up with them. If I
only have the chance to make them feel the weight of my staff, I will
soon sweep the battlefield." And William embraced him for these words,
and ordered the trumpets to be sounded and the army to march.

From her window Gibourc watched them go. She saw the Knights stream
out into the plain, their banners floating on the wind, their helmets
shining in the sun, their shields glittering with gold. She heard
their horses neigh, and she prayed God to bless all this noble host.

PART XII.

After two days' march they came within sight of the Aliscans, but for
five miles round the country was covered by the Saracen army. William
saw that some of his men quailed at the number of the foe, so he turned
and spoke to his soldiers. "My good lords," he said, "a fearful battle
awaits us, and we must not give way an inch. If any man feels afraid
let him go back to his own land. This is no place for cowards."

The cowards heard joyfully, and without shame took the road by which
they had come. They spurred their horses and thought themselves safe,
but they rejoiced too soon.

At the mouth of a bridge Rainouart met them, and when he saw that they
were part of the Christian host he raised his staff and barred their
passage. "Where are you going?" asked he. "To France, for rest,"
answered the cowards; "the Count has dismissed us, and when we reach
our homes we shall see to the rebuilding of our castles, which have
fallen into ill-repair during the wars. Come with us, if you are a
wise man."

"Ask some one 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?" 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 cried with one voice, "Sir Rainouart, we will return
and fight with you."

[Illustration: Rainouart stops the cowards]

So they turned their horses' heads and rode the wa