d he said to
Charles, 'Let me depart, sire, as I must go. I wish to lose no time.'

'Go then,' replied the King, making over him the sign of the cross and
giving him the wand of office. And Ganelon went.

It was not long before he overtook the Saracens, who had lingered,
hoping he might join them, and Blancandrin began to sing the praises
of Charles and his conquests. 'He is a wonderful man,' answered
Ganelon, 'and of such a strong will that no man may strive against
it.'

'How brave are these Franks,' went on Blancandrin; 'but your nobles
were ill-advised in the counsel they gave the King upon this matter.
It bodes evil to Charles and to many beside him.'

'None of them merit this blame,' said Ganelon, 'save Roland only, and
the shame will be on his head. His pride is so great that he thinks no
sword can touch him, but until he is really dead peace we can never
have.' Here the Saracen glanced at Ganelon beside him. 'He is a fine
man,' thought he, 'but there is cunning in his eye,' and then
Blancandrin spoke. 'Let us understand each other plainly,' he said;
'is it your wish to be avenged of Roland? Then, by the beard of
Mahomet, deliver him into our hands. King Marsile is a generous
master, and knows how to repay those who serve him.' Ganelon heard his
words, and bent his head in silence.

But the silence did not last long: before they had arrived at
Saragossa, Ganelon had made an agreement with Blancandrin, that they
would find some means of causing Roland to perish. This decided, they
rode through the gates of the town, and dismounted from their horses.
In the shadow of a pine, a throne was placed covered with soft silk
from Alexandria, and on it sat he who was once the master of the whole
of Spain. Twenty thousand Saracens stood around him, but not a sound
was made, so eager they were to hear Charles's answer. Blancandrin
advanced to the King's throne, leading Ganelon by the wrist.
'Greeting, great King,' said he; 'we delivered your message to
Charles, and he raised his two hands to heaven, and answered nothing.
But he has sent you one of his great lords, and he will tell you if it
is peace or no peace.'

'Let him speak,' replied Marsile, 'and we will listen.'

Ganelon waited a little before he spoke, for he knew that one careless
word might prove his own ruin. 'Greeting,' he said, when at last he
had made ready his speech. 'This is the message sent you by
Charlemagne. You must receive Holy Baptism, and Char