'That I can easily tell you,' answered Ganelon. 'When Charlemagne has
passed safely through the mountains, with the most part of his
soldiers, his baggage and his hostages, then have a hundred thousand
of your Infidels ready to fall upon Roland and his rear-guard of
twenty thousand men. The Franks will fight hard, but they cannot stand
against such numbers, though of their foes many will be left upon the
field. Then lose not a moment, but give them battle a second time.
They will be too few and too weak to fight long, and for the rest of
your life you will have peace. If you kill Roland, you will have cut
off the Emperor's right arm. Farewell to the splendid armies of the
Franks; never more will such forces be gathered together; never will
Charles wear again his golden crown, but all Spain shall be in peace.'

Marsile heard the words of Ganelon, and stooped and kissed his neck,
and ordered his costliest treasures to be brought before him. Then he
said: 'There is no further need of speech between us; swear that I
shall find him in the rear-guard, and I shall swear that you shall
have your revenge.' And Ganelon swore. But Marsile was not content
with the oath that Ganelon made. He commanded that a copy of the Koran
should be brought, the sacred book of Mahomet, and placed it on a
chair of ivory, which stood under an olive tree. With his hand on the
book Marsile also took his oath, that if among the rear-guard of
Charlemagne's army he found Roland, he would fall upon him with all
his host and compass his death, and that of the twelve peers of
France. So the bond of treachery was sealed. Then the Infidels crowded
round, and one offered Ganelon his sword, and another his helmet,
while the Queen brought bracelets of precious stones as gifts for his
wife. Marsile asked his treasurer if he had made ready the presents
that were to be sent to Charles, and pressing Ganelon in his arms, he
declared that not a day should pass without his friend likewise
receiving presents, if only he would give his help in the slaying of
Roland. 'You keep me too long,' was Ganelon's answer, and he mounted
his horse and went.

All this while the Emperor Charles was marching towards France, but he
halted at a small town which long ago had been taken by Roland,
waiting till he heard some tidings of Ganelon, and received the news
that Marsile had agreed to do homage for Spain. At length, one morning
at dawn, a messenger came to the King's tent telling