ncurs no arrears with his soldiery."

It was, indeed, by these means that the Knight of St. John had collected
the best equipped and the best contented force in Italy. Every day
brought him recruits. Nothing was spoken of amongst the mercenaries of
Italy but the wealth acquired in his service, and every warrior in the
pay of Republic or of Tyrant sighed for the lawless standard of Fra
Moreale. Already had exaggerated tales of the fortunes to be made in the
ranks of the Great Company passed the Alps; and, even now, the Knight,
penetrating farther into the camp, beheld from many a tent the proud
banners and armorial blazon of German nobility and Gallic knighthood.

"You see," said the Free Companion, pointing to these insignia, "we are
not without our different ranks in our wild city. And while we speak,
many a golden spur is speeding hitherward from the North!"

All now in the quarter they had entered was still and solemn; only afar
came the mingled hum, or the sudden shout of the pandemonium in the
rear, mellowed by distance to a not unpleasing sound. An occasional
soldier, crossing their path, stalked silently and stealthily to some
neighbouring tent, and seemed scarcely to regard their approach.

"Behold! we are before the General's pavilion," said the Free Lance.

Blazoned with purple and gold, the tent of Montreal lay a little apart
from the rest. A brooklet from the stream they had crossed murmured
gratefully on the ear, and a tall and wide-spreading beech cast its
shadow over the gorgeous canvass.

While his troop waited without, the knight was conducted at once to the
presence of the formidable adventurer.

Chapter 8.II. Adrian Once More the Guest of Montreal.

Montreal was sitting at the head of a table, surrounded by men, some
military, some civil, whom he called his councillors, and with whom
he apparently debated all his projects. These men, drawn from various
cities, were intimately acquainted with the internal affairs of the
several states to which they belonged. They could tell to a fraction
the force of a signor, the wealth of a merchant, the power of a mob. And
thus, in his lawless camp, Montreal presided, not more as a general than
a statesman. Such knowledge was invaluable to the chief of the Great
Company. It enabled him to calculate exactly the time to attack a foe,
and the sum to demand for a suppression of hostilities. He knew what
parties to deal with--where to importune--where to forbe