feud in
which he is engaged. Give me yon banner--I will ride on to them."

"Nay, my Lord," said Giulio; "such marauders do not always spare a flag
of truce. There is danger--"

"For that reason your leader braves it. Quick!"

The Knight took the banner, and rode deliberately up to the horsemen. On
approaching, his warlike eye could not but admire the perfect caparison
of their arms, the strength and beauty of their steeds, and the steady
discipline of their long and glittering line.

As he rode up, and his gorgeous banner gleamed in the noonlight, the
soldiers saluted him. It was a good omen, and he hailed it as such.
"Fair sirs," said the Knight, "I come, at once herald and leader of the
little band who have just escaped the unlooked-for assault of armed men
on yonder hill--and, claiming aid, as knight from knight, and soldier
from soldier, I place my troop under the protection of your leader.
Suffer me to see him."

"Sir Knight," answered one, who seemed the captain of the band, "sorry
am I to detain one of your gallant bearing, and still more so, on
recognising the device of one of the most potent houses of Italy. But
our orders are strict, and we must bring all armed men to the camp of
our General."

"Long absent from my native land, I knew not," replied the Knight, "that
there was war in Tuscany. Permit me to crave the name of the general
whom you speak of, and that of the foe against whom ye march."

The Captain smiled slightly.

"Walter de Montreal is the General of the Great Company, and Florence
his present foe."

"We have fallen, then, into friendly, if fierce, hands," replied the
Knight, after a moment's pause. "To Sir Walter de Montreal I am known
of old. Permit me to return to my companions, and acquaint them that
if accident has made us prisoners, it is, at least, only to the most
skilful warrior of his day that we are condemned to yield."

The Italian then turned his horse to join his comrades.

"A fair Knight and a bold presence," said the Captain of the Companions
to his neighbour, "though I scarce think it is the party we are ordered
to intercept. Praised be the Virgin, however, his men seem from the
North. Them, perhaps, we may hope to enlist."

The Knight now, with his comrades, rejoined the troop. And, on receiving
their parole not to attempt escape, a detachment of thirty horsemen
were despatched to conduct the prisoners to the encampment of the Great
Company.

Turning from the mai