chose twenty thousand warriors with whom to keep
the passes.

Meanwhile King Charles had entered the valley of Roncesvalles. High were
the mountains on either side of the way, and the valleys were gloomy and
dark. But when the army had passed through the valley, they saw the
fair land of Gascony, and as they saw it they thought of their homes and
their wives and daughters. There was not one of them but wept for very
tenderness of heart. But of all that company there was none sadder than
the King himself, when he thought how he had left his nephew Count
Roland behind him in the passes of Spain.

And now the Saracen King Marsilas began to gather his army. He laid a
strict command on all his nobles and chiefs that they should bring with
them to Saragossa as many men as they could gather together. And when
they were come to the city, it being the third day from the issuing of
the King's command, they saluted the great image of Mahomet, the false
prophet, that stood on the topmost tower. This done they went forth from
the city gates. They made all haste, marching across the mountains and
valleys of Spain till they came in sight of the standard of France,
where Roland and Oliver and the Twelve Peers were ranged in battle
array.

The Saracen champions donned their coats of mail, of double substance
most of them, and they set upon their heads helmets of Saragossa of
well-tempered metal, and they girded themselves with swords of Vienna.
Fair were their shields to view; their lances were from Valentia; their
standards were of white, blue, and red. Their mules they left with the
servants, and, mounting their chargers, so moved forwards. Fair was the
day and bright the sun, as their armor flashed in the light, and the
drums were beaten so loudly that the Frenchmen heard the sound.

Said Oliver to Roland, "Comrade, methinks we shall soon do battle with
the Saracens."

"God grant it," answered Roland. "'Tis our duty to hold the place for
the King, and we will do it, come what may. As for me, I will not set an
ill example."

Oliver climbed to the top of a hill; and saw from thence the whole army
of the heathen. He cried to Roland his companion, "I see the flashing of
arms. We men of France shall have no small trouble therefrom. This is
the doing of Ganelon the traitor."

"Be silent," answered Roland, "till you shall know; say no more about
him."

Oliver looked again from the hilltop, and saw how the Saracens came on.
So man