thy neck, and being hauled under the arm of one of those lofty oaks without, to die the death of a dog."

"Taunt me no longer, savage tyrant!" exclaimed Royston, springing forward, until his fetters clanked again, and he was within arm's length of the baron. "Lead me to what death thou willest. I, who have lain wounded on the scorching sands of Palestine, a long night, and a burning day, without a drop to quench my thirst, can bear the worst that thy devilish malice may invent. Yet," added he, in a lower tone, and seating himself upon the rude block to which he was secured, "it is hard for one who hath fought for the holy sepulchre, and crossed swords with the bravest knights of Normandy, to die the death of a common felon."

"Then do my bidding, and live," answered De Marchmont.

"Never!" replied Royston Gower; "I will abide my doom."

At that moment the torch expired, and left the rude hut in deep darkness.

De Marchmont departed without further reply; he but paused to whisper to the sentries, and the sound of his horse's feet, as they rung upon the stillness of the night, for a moment fell heavily on the heart of the old crusader. But this lasted not long, and the conversation of the guards without, soon attracted his attention, as they held consultation together respecting the best method to despatch

him.

"I would fain honour the old soldier with something better than a rope," said one. "Marry! 'twas a bold deed to save the youth; and were it not for my own neck, by the mass! he should escape."

"Humph! thou wouldst have more love for his life, than thine own," muttered his companion, in a deep surly tone; "an' I would endanger my third nail to save the neck of the

finest knight, that ever sat in saddle, may I be kicked like a football."

"An' thou couldst do it, without endangering thine own precious body," said the other, "wouldst thou not? Bethink thee, this Royston Gower hath run many a risk for others, and seemeth to care so little for his own life, that it were pity to deprive him of it; in especial as it hath stood so many in such good stead.”

"Thou hast more pity than wit," said a third; "methinks it were folly to risk our own carcases in an affair, for which we should scarce be thanked."

"Or deprive ourselves of so rare a sight,' said the other, "as seeing how new a caper this fellow will cut, who hath beheld so many of the infidels hung, and hath no doubt studied the twist of their legs."

"Then, in God's name! bring him forth," said the first speaker; "but, remember, that I meddle not in the matter."

"Then will I back to the baron," said his companion," and tell him thou hast refused to do his bidding."

"Thou mayest back to the devil, an' thou wilt," replied the other, "from whence I believe thou hadst first thine origin. But before thou stirrest one step in the direction of the palace, thou shalt first become better acquainted with the edge of my blade. Canst thou not do this bloody business for De Marchmont without mine aid. Thou knowest that I vowed to meddle no more with his murderous plans, after that affair with Hereward the Saxon, in the forest. I will follow his banner, and fight for him in a fair field, but leave others to do his deeds in the dark."

"Thou forgettest," replied the other, in a more subdued tone, "how near an escape I had from swinging on the battlements, when this Royston, with the page and our young lady, fled from the castle. Methinks he had

but little love for my neck, when he knew at what peril I uplifted the portcullis, or allowed any one to pass; and that it was only upon conditions that I did my best to capture him, that I was allowed to live."

"All this I know," answered his companion; "but was it not a brave deed to save the youth? And what thinkest thou will be thy reward, should De Marchmont fall to-morrow in the lists, and this Edwin of Clifton become owner of his father's possessions? Wouldst thou not then give thy right hand, if thou hadst allowed him to escape

?"

"By the cross of Christ! I thought not of that," replied the advocate for death. "Nay, I am for his escape as soon as thou wilt. But what," added he, "if the baron should come off conqueror in to-morrow's fray? and thou wottest well, that he hath a strong arm, and a sure aim."

"We will then go over to the side of Edwin