as Charlemagne's greatest warrior. "And if he
die," said Blancandrin, "then is our peace sure."

"Bring hither the Christian knight to me," cried King Marsil.

So Blancandrin went, and once more leading Ganelon by the hand,
brought him before the King.

"Fair Sir Ganelon," said the wily heathen, "I did a rash and foolish
thing when in anger I raised my hand to strike at thee. As a token
that thou wilt forget it, accept this cloak of sable. It is worth five
hundred pieces of gold." And lifting a rich cloak, he clasped it about
the neck of Ganelon.

"I may not refuse it," said the knight, looking down. "May Heaven
reward thee!"

"Trust me, Sir Ganelon," said King Marsil, "I love thee well. But keep
thou our counsels secret. I would hear thee talk of Charlemagne. He is
very old, is he not?--more than two hundred years old. He must be worn
out and weary, for he hath fought so many battles and humbled so many
kings in the dust. He ought to rest now from his labors in his city of
Aix."

Ganelon shook his head. "Nay," he said, "such is not Charlemagne. All
those who have seen him know that our Emperor is a true warrior. I
know not how to praise him enough before you, for there is nowhere a
man so full of valor and of goodness. I would rather die than leave
his service."

"In truth," said Marsil, "I marvel greatly. I had thought that
Charlemagne had been old and worn. Then if it is not so, when will he
cease his wars?"

"Ah," said Ganelon, "that he will never do so long as his nephew
Roland lives. Under the arch of heaven there bides no baron so
splendid or so proud. Oliver, his friend, also is full of prowess and
of valor. With them and his peers beside him, Charlemagne feareth no
man."

"Fair Sir Ganelon," said King Marsil boldly, knowing his hatred, "tell
me, how shall I slay Roland?"

"That I can tell thee," said Ganelon. "Promise thou the Emperor all
that he asketh of thee. Send hostages and presents to him. He will
then return to France. His army will pass through the valley of
Roncesvalles. I will see to it that Roland and his friend Oliver lead
the rear-guard. They will lag behind the rest of the army, then there
shalt thou fall upon them with all thy mighty men. I say not but that
thou shalt lose many a knight, for Roland and his peers will fight
right manfully. But in the end, being so many more than they, thou
shalt conquer. Roland shall lie dead, and slaying him thou wilt cut
off the right arm of Char