and of all the
subjects of King Louis no one was so fit to lead the army of the Franks
as William Short Nose, husband of the Lady Gibourc.

It was at the Aliscans that he met them, and a great host they were,
spreading over the country till whichever way you looked you saw men
flocking round the Golden Dragon, which was the banner of the Saracens.

But it was not Count William's way to think about numbers, and he
ordered his trumpeters to sound the charge. Spurring his horse, he
dashed from one part of the fight to the other, striking and killing as
he went, and heeding as little the wounds that he got as those that he
gave, and _they_ were many.

The Franks whom he led followed after him, and slew the Saracens as
they came on; but the Christians were in comparison but a handful, and
their enemies as the sands of the sea.

The young warriors whom William had brought with him were prisoners or
dying men, and from far he saw Vivian, whom he loved the best, charging
a multitude with his naked sword. "Montjoie! Montjoie!" cried he, "O
Bertrand, my cousin, come to my aid!"

Bertrand heard and pressed to his side. "Ride to the river," he said,
"and I will protect you with my life"; but Vivian was too weak even to
sit on his horse, and fell half fainting at Bertrand's feet.

At this moment there rode at them a large troop of Saracens, headed by
their King, Haucebier, and the Christian Knights knew that all was
lost. "It is too late now for me to think of life," said Vivian, "but
I will die fighting," and again they faced their enemies till
Bertrand's horse was killed under him. Then Vivian seized the horse of
a dead Saracen, and thrust the bridle into Bertrand's hand, "Fly, for
God's sake, it is your only chance. Where is my uncle? If he is dead
we have lost the battle."

But Bertrand did not fly, though every instant made the danger more
deadly. "If I forsake you, if I take flight," he said, "I shall bring
eternal shame upon myself."

"No, no," cried Vivian, "seek my uncle down there in the Aliscans, and
bring him to my aid."

"Never till my sword breaks," answered Bertrand, and laid about him
harder than ever. And to their joy they heard a war cry sounding in
their ears, and five Frankish Counts, cousins of Vivian and of
Bertrand, galloped up. Fight they did with all their might, but none
fought like Vivian. "Heavens! what a warrior!" cried the Counts as
they saw his blows, while the Saracens asked th