in a state of mind suited to any enterprise, prepared to believe
any story, however improbable, to accept any life except that of his
own monotonous peasant existence.

While in this mood there came to him on his hillside, several days
later, a stranger in the dress of a pilgrim, returned, as he at first
said, from Palestine. He was on his way to a distant home and in need
of food.

Only too eagerly did Stephen share with him such food as he had, asking
in return to be told of the wonders of the Holy Land and of the daring
deeds of the heroes who had fallen there in battle. The stranger
readily complied with this request and poured into the boy's credulous
ears tales well calculated to thrill and excite his already inflamed
fancy. Then, watching Stephen closely as he spoke, the stranger said
with solemn earnestness:

"But this is not all I have to tell, my lad. There is work for you to
do,--for you, the Lord's anointed, his chosen apostle, and in the name
of Christ and his Holy Cross, I bid you arise and do his will."

"Work?--for me? From whom comes this message?"

Stephen's eyes were lit with the fire of excited desire and his voice
trembled with emotion.

Very slowly the answering words fell from his companion's lips:

"The message is brought by him who sends it. Behold, lad, the Christ of
history and of truth! _I_ bid you arise--rouse up the youth of our
land! Lead them to that Holy Sepulchre! As prophet and as leader, go
thou where they shall follow, and bring to pass that which nobles and
soldiers have failed to accomplish. Go lad--go!"

Stephen's breath came in quick gasps--his eyes were like coals of fire
as he sank on his knees, crying:

"Oh bless me--bless me--I will go--Lord, I will go!"

A hand was laid gently on his head as the deep voice said, "In the name
of Jesus, lad--in the name of the Crucified, lead thou thy troops to
victory. Across the land, across the sea, lead them to victory!" Then
in a less impassioned tone, the stranger added, "I leave with you a
letter to the king of France. Haste thou to him with this proof of thy
divine mission and he will aid thee in thy enterprise. In the name of
Jesus, lad, arise and go!"

A letter was pressed into Stephen's hand. He heard retreating
footsteps, and before he had gained his composure and risen to his
feet, his divine guest was gone. He was alone with his straying flock,
not sure except for the letter, whether he had had a vision or a
visito