subject, and promise the ambassadors another
audience on the morrow. But who can tell what a day may bring forth? Ere
the morrow, an event occurred which raised more important questions than
whether he could, without degradation, give his ungloved hand to a
Templar and an English knight.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

A RECOGNITION.

WHEN the Templar and the English knight left the lodgings that had been
assigned to them in the palace of Bagdad to enter the presence of the
caliph, and were honoured with the audience described, Walter Espec,
excited by the novelty of his situation, thinking of his lost brother,
and bearing in mind that he had a mission to accomplish, strolled,
heedless of rules or regulations, into the garden of the palace, and
took his way along one of the walks, set in mosaic-coloured pebbles,
towards the kiosk. He had not proceeded far, however, when he perceived,
coming from the opposite direction, six youths, apparently about his own
age. All were so fettered as to be impeded in their walking, and seemed
to be under the charge of an aged Saracen, who, in his turban and
flowing robes, looked a most venerable personage.

'Christian captives, as I live,' muttered Walter, compassionately.

Of the six youths, five paced moodily along, with their eyes bent sadly
on the ground; the sixth neither seemed sad, nor had his eyes bent on
the ground, but held his head aloft with the air of one whom
circumstances could not depress; and Walter felt his heart beat and his
brain whirl, and stopped suddenly, with an exclamation of surprise, as
in this youth he recognised an old acquaintance.

Immediately it appeared that the recognition was mutual. Indeed, the
captive no sooner observed Walter than, disregarding the remonstrances
of the old Saracen, and forgetful for the moment of his chains, he broke
away from his companions, and hobbling, not without danger of a fall,
fairly flung himself into the Boy Crusader's arms.

'Oh, good Walter,' exclaimed he, 'what a surprise! The idea of your
being here, and at a time when they are threatening to put me to death
because I will not embrace the filthy religion of their false prophet.
But, thanks to our lady the Virgin, I now feel that I am saved.'

'In truth, brave Guy,' replied Walter, much affected, 'you are saved, if
my efforts can save you. I have mourned for you as for one dead; and I
swear by holy Katherine, who hath preserved me miraculously through
manifold dang