nwhile King
Desrame took refuge in the only ship that had not been sunk by the
Christians, and spread its sails. 'Come back whenever you like, fair
father,' called Rainouart after him.

The fight was over; the Saracens acknowledged that they were beaten,
and the booty they had left behind them was immense. The army, wearied
with the day's toil, lay down to sleep, but before midnight Rainouart
was awake and trumpets called to arms. 'Vivian must be buried,' said
he, 'and then the march to Orange will begin.'

Rainouart rode at the head, his sword drawn, prouder than a lion; and
as he went along a poor peasant threw himself before him, asking for
vengeance on some wretches who had torn up a field of beans which was
all he had with which to feed his family. Rainouart ordered the
robbers to be brought before him and had them executed. Then he gave
to the peasant their horses and their armour in payment of the ruined
beans. 'Ah, it has turned out a good bargain for me,' said the
peasant. 'Blessed be the hour when I sowed such a crop.'

William entered into his Palace, where a great feast was spread for
the visitors, but one man only remained outside the walls, and that
was Rainouart, of whom no one thought in the hour of triumph. His
heart swelled with bitterness as he thought of the blows he had given,
and the captives he had set free, and, weeping with anger, he turned
his face towards the Aliscans. On the road some Knights met him, and
asked him whither he was going and why he looked so sad. Then his
wrath and grief burst out, and he told how he mourned that ever he had
slain a man in William's cause, and that he was now hastening to serve
under the banner of Mahomet, and would shortly return with a hundred
thousand men behind him, and would avenge himself on France and her
King. Only towards Alix would he show any pity!

In vain the Knights tried to soften his heart, it was too sore to
listen. So they rode fast to Orange and told the Count what Rainouart
had said.

'I have done him grievous wrong,' answered William, and ordered twenty
Knights to ride after him. But the Knights were received with threats
and curses, and came back to Orange faster than they had left it,
thinking that Rainouart was at their heels.

William smiled when he heard the tale of his messengers, and bade them
bring his horse, and commanded that a hundred Knights should follow
him, and prayed Gibourc to ride at his side. They found Rainouart