CHAPTER IX. A NIGHT IN THE FORTRESS OF FEAR.
I SHOULD like, my young friends, to give you a horrible--an alarming--aterrific description of the Fortress of Fear. The subject is a temptingone enough, but I am the slave of truth, and moreover, imagination hasbuilt it after such a fashion that every one sees it under a differentaspect. I can, however, tell you a little about it.
The Fortress of Fear is only seen at night, and scarcely can its blackoutline be made out against the black sky. If the moon shows herself,it is only with an evil purpose to bring out more clearly some hideouscombination of lines. The stones are leperous, and the snakes that dwellamong them seem like worms that feed on them. Life is represented thereby the mere refuse of creation--vultures, adders, centipedes, rats,scorpions, toads, woodlice, and owls; and yet one could not helpwondering how even such foul broods as these could inhabit such a place.Those who have had the misfortune to behold this ominous sight perceiveonly an irregular line of towers, half fallen into ruins, and resemblingnothing so much as the fangs of some ogress seven hundred years old. TheFortress of Fear is the oldest of all fortresses; that it still standsis a miracle, for a breath can overthrow it;--and yet it is eternal.Each of us reckons an hour in his life in which it has appeared to him;and even the bravest of us must confess to having paid it a visit.
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Mitaine discovered a low portal, almost concealed by the ivy; the woodwas worm-eaten, the iron was rusty, there was the slimy track of a snailacross the handle. In the archway roosted a flock of night birds, whichflew out, expressing their disgust at being disturbed, by melancholyhooting. Mitaine pushed the door--it resisted; she smote it with thepommel of her sword--a hollow sound was the only answer; for ten minutesshe struggled in vain to force an entrance, then, losing patience, shegave it a vigorous kick with her foot. The woodwork gave way, the lockcame off, the hinges parted, and the barrier fell inwards. Immediatelyshe heard a loud noise, and felt several severe blows. The stonework ofthe arch had given way, and fallen in upon her. Fortunately she was notalarmed; had she shrunk back, she must have been buried in the ruins.A formidable heap of rubbish blocked the entrance. Where Time busieshimself in the work of destruction, and Accident assists him to build abarricade, they both do their work so well, that those most experiencedin such constructions must bow admiringly to their superior skill.
"Ho! Ho! What do they take me for here?" said Mitaine to herself, notwithout anger. "Do they fancy by any chance that I want to run away?This is a most needless precaution."
Mitaine was at the foot of a narrow spiral staircase, which led to thetop of the castle. The walls, covered with thick moss, distilled anoffensive moisture, which, falling on the stairs, encouraged the growthof forests of ferns, lichens, and toadstools, the pleasant homes ofhundreds of wood-lice, and other creeping things. On the first step wasseated a toad; a pale lambent flame played around it, the only light tobe met with in this dismal spot. The toad rose on its hind legs like akangaroo, and began to climb the staircase, leaving behind it on eachstep a slimy track, which spread out exhaling a noisome odour. Mitainefollowed this phosphorescent guide. Hearing a hollow sound accompanyingeach step, she turned and saw the stairs crumble away one after anotheras she ascended.
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"They are evidently bent on keeping me here, and I confess I shall havesome difficulty in tearing myself away."
The toad continued to lead the way. At the sixtieth stair it pausedbefore a door, which opened, although there was nobody to be seen:the toad again moved on, and Mitaine continued to follow it. She foundherself in a vast gallery lighted only by the moon. Refreshed by thecool air which blew on her face, and by the glimpse of the open countrywhich she caught through a window, she felt as if she had just emergedfrom the tomb. On her left hand was a blank wall; before her opened, oneafter another, a series of huge folding doors; on her right was a largearray of columns and arches that flung their gloomy shadows on thefloor and side of the chamber. Before her was the toad going on withoutstopping; gleaming with phosphorescent light, and leaving behind it, asif crawled along, a slimy and shining track. As Mitaine passed by thefirst column, it crumbled in pieces, and she beheld, standing upright onthe pedestal, a corpse wrapped in its winding-sheet, and holding in itshand a lighted torch. It stepped down from its place, and, waiting untilshe passed, took up its position on her left. The second column sank inits turn, a second corpse descended and placed itself on her right hand,also bearing a torch. The same thing took place throughout thewhole length of the gallery; but the attention of our young page wasdistracted by the spectacle she beheld on passing the first door. Shesaw an immense hole, the mere sight of which made her giddy; at onemoment excessively bright, at the next equally gloomy, it seemed as iflighted by some gigantic forge, whose flame alternately blazed up anddied at every successive blast of the bellows. This intermittent glarewas insupportable, and for some minutes Mitaine was almost blinded.She heard groans, and, at length, contrived to distinguish thousandsof unhappy wretches with their hands tied behind their backs, and theirlimbs fractured, suspended by their wrists from the roof. Her heart fullof pity and rage, she was about to rush to their aid, when she perceivedthat the hall was without a floor; a gulf, at the bottom of which atorrent was roaring, yawned beneath the feet of the victims. She turnedaside her head, wiped away a tear, and hastened onwards. Every doorbefore which she passed afforded her a view of new tortures, and herimpotence to relieve these agonies so infuriated her, that, not knowinghow to vent her rage, she rushed, sword in hand, upon the melancholyprocession that surrounded her; but she encountered nothing but emptyair. The corpses, taking no heed, pursued their way without hurrying,without delaying. Then the anger of Mitaine knew no bounds. She rushedon recklessly in search of an enemy. The toad took to flight; the dead,observing their distance, seemed to glide, not walk over the floor.At the end of the gallery a door opened, on grating hinges, and closedagain as soon as Mitaine had crossed the threshold. The darkness wasimpenetrable. She was compelled to halt. The dull flame of the torchesflickered up and faded in the gloom without giving out any light. Thecorpses ranged themselves in an immense circle round the toad; thetoad gave a bound at least ten feet high, and Mitaine observed that itincreased in size.
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As it swelled out, the hall became filled with light. Then the beastbegan to assume airs and graces, to attitudinise, and to ogle; andlastly, to finish these vagaries, it set about its toilet, and commencedscratching itself, emitting, at every touch of its foot, showers ofvenom and sparks.
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The hall which Mitaine had just entered was the largest in the world. Itseemed like some enormous square, in which met a number of wide roads,whose starting-points were lost in obscurity. The ceiling, which waslow, was supported on huge granite cubes, whose sides were adornedwith _bas reliefs,_ representing the most varied scenes in the dance ofdeath. The toad took its seat on an overturned column, at the foot ofone of the pillars, shining like some baleful meteor. In front of it,beneath a dais of black serge, embroidered with silver, sat the Lordof the Fortress and his family, while in all the galleries legions ofghosts waited, motionless, the orders of their master.
The throne was of aspen wood; it was no easy task to reach it.Oubliettes, traps, and snares defended the approach. The Lord of Fearwas standing up. On either side of him were seated the noble dameCowardice of St. Panic, and her daughters, Consternation, Fright,Terror, Alarm, Dismay, Apprehension, Trepidation, Timidity,Pusillanimity.
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Poltroonry, and Dastardy. All were misshapen, and so accustomed totry to look on every side of them at once, for fear of being takenby surprise, that they squinted frightfully. They were all absolutelyhideous to behold.
The Lord of Fear was tall, but he stooped and kept his head sunk betweenhis shoulders. His bristling locks were prematurely white; his holloweye did not remain still for an instant, but wandered restlessly toevery corner; his sunken countenance, pale and colourless as wax, wasdisfigu
red by green streaks; his purple lips, continually quivering withnervous excitement, endeavoured in vain to assume an air of bravery; hisfidgety fingers wandered to his cuirass, his sword, his dagger, as if toassure themselves that they would not be wanting if needed.
The family of Fear, perspiration bathed his face, in spite of thefever that consumed him. His teeth chattered, and every moment a fit ofshivering set all his defensive armour rattling under his dingy cloak;and every time that she heard this sound of steel, Dame Coward gave aterrible jump, and gazed round her upon all sides for the cause of heralarm. She was seated on the very edge of her throne, with her two handsresting on the elbows, so that she might at once jump up and run away.Like her daughters, she was dressed in a material the colour of whichwas constantly changing. A hare reposed on her knees.
"This little page would be nice to eat," whispered Trepidation to herfather; "don't be too severe upon him."
"There you are again with your absurdities! you have no force ofcharacter," interposed Alarm. "If one ever listened to you, Heaven knowswhat would become of us."
"We must, at any price," said Dastardy, "get rid of this young vixen,and I feel sure that by attacking her in the rear----"
"I am afraid our last hour is come," said Apprehension, bursting intotears.
"You are always the same," said Alarm. "You would never tire of throwingthe handle after the hatchet."
"Why don't you speak, sister?" said Dastardy to Timidity, who was hidingherself. "Let us hear your opinion."
"I--but--I don't know," stammered Timidity.
"You never know anything," answered Dastardy, giving her sister a pinchthat nearly brought the blood, and then running away.
Poor Timidity gave a shriek that made all the family jump again. TheLord of Fear sprang back ten paces, and drew his dagger. Dame Cowardjumped up and let fall her hare, which immediately hid itself under herpetticoat.
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"Be silent, idiots, and come round me again; that foolish Timidityhas given me a fright. The first who speaks shall be put in the darkcupboard." After this awful threat came the silence of death.
"Well, and what would you do here, little one?" said the Lord of Fear,in the interval between two shivering fits.
"By the Shrine of St. Landri," said Mitaine, clapping her hands on herhips, "it must be admitted you have a strange way of receiving yourguests. I have shrunk from nothing in order that I might see you, and myperseverance deserves a better return."
"You do not answer my question. Why do you come here?"
"To drive you away."
On hearing these words the Lord of Fear shrank into himself until youwould have thought that half of him had disappeared, and Dame Cowardsank back into her chair, behind which her daughters concealedthemselves.
"Imprudent wretch!" stuttered Fear, shaking until he nearly fell. "Howdare you defy me thus?"
"To judge from your appearance," said Mitaine, smiling, "there's nogreat merit in that."
"You dare to doubt my courage? You deserve to suffer the terrors of myvengeance." It was not without some difficulty that Fear uttered thesewords, for his tongue was almost paralysed.
"You have no influence over me; and all the absurd scarecrows you havecalled up to terrify me are only fit to be laughed at!"
"My name is the terror of the universe."
"You libel the universe by saying so. Because a few weak minds allowyou to rule them, you consider yourself master of the world. Come out ofyour den into the light of day, and see how you will be received!"
"The women are on my side!"
"They are not! When they catch a glimpse of you they cannot in truthrepress an exclamation of natural disgust. An insect, a shadow, anunusual noise can make them tremble; but when a serious danger presentsitself, when a great sentiment animates them, they will, as Christians,die the death of martyrs; as wives, follow their husbands into battle,like the Gallic women; and, as mothers, struggle with lions for thesafety of their children. They will, in short, achieve immortality, likeJudith, like Lucretia, like St. Genevieve."
"Well, at any rate, I have the children. The little people are mysubjects."
"And you dare to tell this to me? Why, you actually elevate impudencealmost to the position of courage. The children would obey you least ofany of us if wicked teachers and foolish parents did not place them inyour power. They threaten them with the dark room, and they take care tolock you up there with them. They call the wolf to eat them. Did Romulusand Remus quake at the approach of their wild nurse? I am but a child,but I know how much you are worth, and, by St. Landri's Shrine! I defyyou utterly."
Mitaine became aware of a low sound, and noticed a stir among thecorpses. At the end of one of the numberless passages that opened intothe hall where this happened there appeared some pale rays of lightwhich seemed to come nearer. As their light grew more distinct that ofthe toad began to die out, and the creature itself commenced shiftinguneasily on its seat. The Lord of Fear seemed more alarmed than ever.His teeth chattered like castanets--he had to make three attempts beforehe could speak.
"You do ill to deny my power; all these who surround me haveacknowledged it!"
"They are ashamed of it now," cried Mitaine; and then turning to them,she shouted, "Can you submit to such a lord? You have only to make onestep towards him, and you will drive him and his wretched race from theface of the earth. Your hands are not dead, they are but benumbed for awhile. Make one more effort. Fling yourselves on the tyrant. I will showyou the way!"
At these words the dead let fall their winding-sheets, and discovered toview a legion of knights in rusty armour with their swords drawn. Alarmgave a shriek, which was answered by screams from Fear himself, fromDame Coward, from Consternation, Fright, Terror, Dismay, Apprehension,Trepidation, Timidity, Pusillanimity, Poltroonery, and Dastardy.
Then was seen a strange sight. The _bas-reliefs_ began to startinto life, and continued their wild dance along the pillars, to theaccompaniment of alarming shrieks. The thunder rolled, and yawningfissures opened in the walls and ceiling. The earth gaped amid deafeningclamours, and Mitaine found herself in the dark. She did not remainlong thus, for the galleries sank by degrees, and day came on apace.Its first rays glittered on her arms; the cheery voice of Chanticleerresounded, and, as if it had but waited the signal, the Fortress of Fearvanished into air!
Mitaine was mute with astonishment. How fair appeared the country toher! how beautiful the sun! and how softly did the breeze of morning wooher cheek! She fell on her knees, and uttered a heartfelt prayer.
The fields were variegated with a thousand colours, as though theycontained specimens of every kind of flower that blows. The birds joinedin--never had they chanted a more joyous welcome to dawn. There wasnothing left of the castle but the recollection, and that was alreadygrowing indistinct.
When Mitaine had finished her orisons and rose to her feet, shebeheld an old man and a young woman gazing at her with an affectionateexpression. They were but a few steps from her, yet she could scarcelysee them, for they were enveloped in a faint mist.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Your grateful friends. You have delivered us from Fear, who used tohold us captive. For a long time we have ceased to breathe, but, thanksto you, we are about to see once more those from whom we were so hastilysnatched away. To-day is the Feast of the Dead, and heaven allows us topass the day on earth. All those whom you have delivered are going toescort you to Charlemagne's camp to testify to your great courage andnoble bearing."
Then Mitaine saw gathered around her from all quarters a number ofknights clad in armour that was eaten up with rust. They were of allages and of all countries, the greater part being mounted. A few womenand children followed the procession. The footfalls were unheard, andleft no mark behind them. The figures were transparent, bathed in astrange mist, to which the sun gave an opalescent gleam.
Having ranged themselves in column, they began to march onward, andMitaine retraversed the places which had se
emed to her so terrificon the preceding night: the stone bridge across the torrent, the wallcovered with creepers, and almost hidden by acacia boughs, the forest ofnaked stems--everything, in short, appeared full of gaiety now that thesun was shining.
She called to her the old man who had lately addressed her, and bade himtell her what were the tortures, the sight of which had so roused her.
"Those," said the dead man, "were the halls of nightmare, my child. TheLord of Fear gives his victims no rest. He and Sleep, who delivers theminto his hand, understand each other. Incubi, demons, vampires,and ghoules form his terrible executioners, and preside over thepunishments. You have seen them at their task, I need not attempt todescribe them!"
"What can defend us against them?"
"A clear conscience and a good digestion."
In a quarter of an hour Mitaine perceived the hut at which she hadstopped on the night before. The peasant was seated on the ground amonghis little ones.
"Thank heaven!" said she. "Poor old man, your feeble sight will not,doubtless, allow you to distinguish your son as yet. But you, his wife,you can no doubt perceive him."
"We have never ceased to see him since we parted," said she. "There isneither limit nor let to the vision of the dead."
The peasant turned his head, saw the procession approaching, recognisedMitaine, and, with a shout of surprise, at once ran to meet her.
Ere he had reached half-way, his glance fell on his father and his wife,and, overcome with joy, he sank on his knees, stretching out his armstowards them. He would fain have spoken, but could find no languageto express in fitting terms the joy he experienced. He scarce dared tomove, lest he should put to flight the beloved group he saw before him.When he had ascertained that he was not suffering from an illusion,tears filled his eyes, and, clasping his hands, he fell on his face,saying, "Kind Heaven, I am indeed grateful for this!"
I will not attempt to describe to you the joy of these three, whom deathhad, for a while, no power to separate. The mother covered her babeswith kisses. The peasant, now as aged as his father had been, could nottear himself from his arms. Their white beards mingled at each embrace.The first outburst of joy over, they all three turned to Mitaine, andkissed her hands.
"Who could have forewarned you of all this happiness, my son?" said thefather.
"Do you not know, then? My child, who, some years ago lost his reason,has become the cleverest of the family since daybreak this morning.Henceforth there are no saints in the calendar I shall revere as I doyou!" said he to Mitaine, who had no small difficulty in freeing herselffrom the demonstrations of gratitude of which she was the object. Shecalled for the horse which she had left with her host of the previousnight, and rode away at full gallop, followed by her fantastic escort.
In about six hours she saw the camp of Charlemagne. The sentinelson outpost duty, seeing a cloud of dust in the distance coming alongtowards them with such speed, fell back and gave the alarm.
"What is it?" said the Emperor. "Who are these that thus fall into ourhands? Go, Miton; mount your horse, take an escort, and inspect thesenew comers."
In a moment the whole camp was alive. Every one put on his corslet,laced his helm, seized his lance, and sprang to saddle. Miton chosethirty mounted knights and led them out.
"By my faith!" said he, "these be strange folks. To judge from theirsize they ought not to be far off, and yet I can hardly make them out.Can you see them better, Red John?" he asked one of his men.
"Not I! My wonder is as great as yours. But is not that a page in theimperial livery who is riding at their head?"
"By my life, it is Mitaine!" And Miton spurred forward at such speedthat in three minutes he was in his daughter's arms. The ghostlysquadron halted, and the thirty knights halted likewise, striving topacify their startled horses, which were snuffing the air, snorting withdilated nostrils, pawing the ground, and neighing as if ready to die ofterror.
"Who are these whom you are leading?"
"Those whom I have liberated."
"Liberated! How?"
"I will tell you all in the Emperor's presence. The sun is low already,and we have no time to spare."
Miton and his thirty knights, and Mitaine with her strange followers,rode towards the camp. Charlemagne, surrounded by his peers, came out tomeet them.
"By St. James! these people look as if they didn't belong to this world.And if I am not stupidly mistaken, it is my godchild who commands them."
Mitaine dismounted, and approached her royal godsire, who asked her,"Well, little one, what is this strange array? Do you know that I havea mind to punish you, and yet I haven't the heart to scold you, I am sorejoiced to see you again, and so anxious to learn who these are thataccompany you."
"My prisoners, sire!" And the spectres lowered their lances to showtheir submission to her.
"But whence come they? Have you been to seek them in another world?"
"By my faith, sire, I could almost believe I passed last night there;"and she related her adventures briefly to Charlemagne in the presence ofhis peers and knights.
"Come, let me embrace you, my darling. So it appears I have promised yousomething. What is it?"
"You promised me, sire, to ask Roland to take me into his service as asquire."
"It is Roland whom I reward by giving him such a treasure. What say you,nephew mine?"
The only answer Roland gave was to clasp Mitaine in his arms. The littleheroine, ruddy with joy, turned to her escort to thank them. They haddisappeared! On seeing this, Charlemagne sank 011 his knees; his examplewas followed by all the rest, and Turpin recited the prayers for thedead.
Thus ended the adventure undertaken by Mitaine.
I wish I could tell you, my friends, that the Fortress of Fear wasdestroyed for good and all. I am compelled, as a veracious chronicler,to confess that it was rebuilt the same evening.
You will some day or other, my young friends, most assuredly fall inwith the Lord of Fear. Call to mind Mitaine whenever you do meet him,and remember that the monster can boast no weapons save those yousurrender to him--no power save that which you give him--no courage savethat which you lose.
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END OF THE THIRD BOOK
EPILOGUE -- RONCESVALLES -- A. D. 778.
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YOU have, I hope, not forgotten, my dear readers, that Charlemagne haddispatched Ganelon to Aquitaine. For the shame and injury of France, theCount of Mayence had turned this trip to good account, by establishinga perfect understanding between himself and our old and little-respectedfriend, Wolf. They decided on the destruction of Charlemagne and hispeers; but as for attacking them openly, they did not dream of that!
"I will undertake," said Ganelon, "to lead them into the mountains, ifyou will only place some twenty thousand Navarrese and Gascons on theheights that I will show you. Then we shall be able in perfect safety tocrush beneath the rocks this haughty and hated brood."
About the same period Marsillus had called his warriors together, andwas conversing with them, reposing in the shade on the white marblesteps of his palace.
"My friends, since this accursed Charles has set foot in Spain, wehave never had a moment's peace. Great as has been the bravery we havedisplayed, we have been everywhere worsted. We can do no more, for eachhas done his best. I suppose you are none of you less desirous than Ito yield this beautiful Spain to these Northern barbarians. Aid me,therefore, by your counsels to avenge our disasters."
Blancandrin, the wisest and most crafty of the Pagans, was the first tospeak.
"The fox often passes where the lion cannot. Well, then, since we failas lions, let us assume the part of foxes, instead of wasting our timein idle laments, and our resources in vain endeavours. Charles is veryproud; and when pride is warder, the city is ill-watched. Profess arespectful regard for this crowned bully; tell him you desire to bebaptised, and appoint a meeting with him in his own dominions. Promiseto meet him there by Michaelmas, with your principal nobles, to dohomage to him, and to ackn
owledge the Christian faith. Add further, thatyou will make him a present of three hundred mules, laden with goldand silver; a hundred chariots, filled with a countless stock of rarestuffs; numberless war-steeds; three hundred trained falcons, lions,and leopards broken-in for the chase; besides five hundred fair Saracendamsels, if such be his good pleasure. The invaders have been a longtime from home, and have left their estates in the charge of theirwives. There is not one of them who would not be glad of a rest. As soonas they have divided the booty, they will all be pressing the king toreturn, and when once they get home again, he will have no easy task toprevail on them to stir a second time."
"The advice is good, possibly, but Charles is not the man to besatisfied with simple promises."
"Send him hostages--ten, twenty, thirty, if he asks for them. Would itnot be better to lose a few women and children than the whole of Spain?I offer to give my son as a hostage, at the risk of his life."
This counsel was considered sound, and was approved by all.
"Go, then," said Marsillus to Blancandrin. "I promise you a splendidescort when you set out, and boundless rewards on your return. Exchangethe sword for the olive branch, and be not sparing in promises."
The envoys were accordingly mounted on white mules, with trappingsand bells of gold and silver, and before long set out for the camp ofCharlemagne.
When the envoys arrived, no time was lost in introducing them into theEmperor's presence. His Majesty of the snowy beard was sitting inhis orchard surrounded by his bravest warriors. The younger ones werepractising the use of arms; the elder were talking or playing at chess.
Blancandrin, after having saluted Charles with dignified courtesy,delivered his message so cunningly, that the nobles began to shout,"Hurrah, now we shall speedily return home!" Charlemagne, however,remained lost in meditation. It was not his habit to give way readilyeither to astonishment or disappointment. At last he rose and said, "Thenews you bring me causes me great pleasure. It King Marsillus isreally desirous of securing his soul's safety, let him meet me atAix-la-Chapelle, and I will welcome him there as a brother."
A tent was prepared for Blancandrin and his suite, on whom everyattention and boundless generosity were lavished.
The next day, after mass and matins, the Emperor wisely called togetherhis peers to learn what they thought of the speech of the envoy fromthe Court of the King of Saragossa. Naymes of Bavaria, a knight of greatrenown, and one of the king's best counsellors, rose and spoke:--"Sire,you have beaten the enemy wherever he has dared to offer battle. Of hisfortresses, not one stone rests on another; his cities have been burnt;his troops have been either killed or converted. You have raised thecross wherever it had been formerly overthrown; what can you desiremore? You are offered a ransom for the kingdom in which you will holdthe sovereign power; a nation of unbelievers demands baptism at yourhands, and offers you hostages. It would be a sin to continue a warfarewhich has no longer any object. Such is my opinion!"
After this speech, Roland was not slow to spring to his feet.
"So it is you, then, Naymes, whom I hear? and can you give such counsel?Marsillus is your enemy, sire, and you have scarcely treated him in away to make him very anxious to embrace you. Do not turn your back uponSpain until your undertaking is accomplished; we have been here longeralready than was necessary for its completion. Send home those bravesoldiers who have tired of war before they have completed theirconquest, and I venture to say that with those who remain you shallplant the cross within sight of Africa, if such be your good pleasure.How can you trust the words of a Pagan? Have you already forgotten thefate to which Marsillus condemned two of your nobles, the Counts Basanand Basilic? They went on an embassy from you to the King of Saragossa,and he had them beheaded on Mount Hautille. It was your honour, sire,which that day fell beneath the infidel axe. Will you let them trampleit under foot because a few prudent warriors would be glad to abandonthis undertaking? Go, then, but I must remain! I shall stay here to makemy death so glorious that you will all envy me."
During this speech Charles knitted his brows and tugged his longmoustache; seeing which, Ganelon rose in his turn.
"These be proud words, forsooth! I could not but ask myself when I heardthem whether we live in the reign of Roland or of Charlemagne. This sortof thing is easily spoken, and sounds remarkably well, like everythingthat's hollow. We are told to retreat; are we in the habit of doingso? Does it not look as if Roland had been conquering Spain while wefollowed at a respectful distance? Forgive my anger, sire, but I cannothelp speaking somewhat freely. Take no one's counsel but your own, sire,and you will do right."
Thereupon Charlemagne asked his knights which of them would like tocarry his message to Marsillus. All rose and offered to go, Roland beingmore importunate than all the others.
"You'll deafen me, nephew," said the Emperor. "I shall certainly notsend you on a mission you have just condemned. My friend Ganelon shallcarry my wishes to the King of Saragossa. To him will I entrust thegauntlet and truncheon."
"That is indeed a wise choice," said Roland, laughing. "You will nowherefind a more cautious ambassador."
"Enough said! By my beard, nephew mine, you will provoke me too farpresently. Be seated, and wait until I bid you speak."
"Sire," said Ganelon, "from such a mission one does not always return.I recommend to your care my son Baldwin, who will one day be a bravewarrior."
Charlemagne handed the gauntlet to the Count of Mayence, who let it fallon the ground. "A bad omen!" said the Franks, seeing it. "Roland may beright after all!"
"You will hear of me before long, gentlemen," said Ganelon, with anill-favoured smile.
Then, furnished with truncheon and letter, he made ready to set out onhis mission.
Ganelon and Blancandrin, followed by the Saracen body-guard, journeyedfor three days side by side. The Pagan was not slow to perceive in amoment the hatred entertained by the Count of Mayence for Roland, and herejoiced to see it. Let us hear what they are talking about.
"Whence comes it," said Blancandrin, "that your sovereign, instead ofseeking an alliance with us, made war on us so fiercely?"
"It is Roland who is always egging him on. But for him, we should longsince have returned to France."
They reached the camp of Marsillus. Fifty thousand Saracens surroundedthe King of Saragossa, but they maintained perfect silence, for fear oflosing a syllable of what was going to be said.
"May Allah and Mahomet preserve you, beloved sovereign! We have borneyour message, and we bring back to you one of the noblest peers of theCourt of France, to decide with you on peace or war."
"I am prepared to give him an immediate audience."
Marsillus and Ganelon remained shut up together for two hours--twohours, which laid the foundation of ages of regret. When the tent was oo re-opened the 'King of Saragossa came out, leaning on the arm of theFrench envoy. Had Roland come instead of Ganelon, that would never havehappened.
"Gentlemen," said Marsillus to his nobles, "welcome the preserver ofSpain! This lord, although a Christian, is a true friend to us, and Idesire that he be treated as such."
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A Saracen advanced, drew his sword from its sheath, and presented it toGanelon.
"This weapon is the best in the world," said he. "Its jewelled hiltalone is estimated at thirty thousand bezants, at the lowest, and yetthe blade is even more valuable. Accept it, and may it serve you wellagainst Roland."
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"I will put it to the test," said the Count of Mayence, coolly; and thetraitor and unbeliever kissed each other.
The queen passed by Marsillus stopped her _cortege_, and bade herdismount, saying, "This is our best of friends. You owe it to him thatwe shall remain under that Spanish sky which you love so much. Embracehim for the love of us all."
"With all my heart," said the Sultana. "I wish you also, Sir Ganelon,to bear to your wife from me these bracelets, which are the finest in mypossession. Neither the Pope at Rome nor the Emperor at Aix-la-C
hapellecan boast anything to equal them among all their treasures."
All vied in paying the Count attention, and in loading him with the mostprecious gifts. .
The same evening Ganelon returned to the French camp, accompanied bypresents and hostages for the Emperor.
Three days later, at early dawn, Ganelon and his escort arrived atCharlemagne's quarters.
"So you have returned," said Charles. "Have you sped well with yourmission?"
"Sire, you have nothing more to do here! The gallant King Marsillus isaltogether your devoted liegeman. Behold the treasures he sends you, asa guarantee of others yet more valuable. See, too, the hostages whomI have chosen, thirty in number, all of them of the noblest rank. Ina month the King of the Saracens will visit you at the French Court toreceive baptism, together with all his nobles and knights."
"You could not bring me more welcome news, and I rejoice greatly that Ichose you for the mission. Before long _you_ will have reason to rejoiceat it too!"
His audience concluded, Ganelon retired with his nephew Pinabel, to whomhe wished to reveal the real state of the case. It happened that Mitainepreceded them into the stable, towards which the traitor took his way,and knowing the hate the count bore to Roland, her friend, she wascurious to hear him speak openly. She therefore crept up in the manger,and hid herself among the hay in the rack.
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This second Judas, going up to his horse, began to talk as follows:--
"Marsillus, who had treated me distantly enough in the morning,apologised at night for so doing, and, as a slight reparation, presentedme with some valuable sables. I gave him to understand the dreadful fatethat awaited him, and assured him that Roland was the only obstacle inthe way of our return to France. 'Hope for no mercy,' said I, 'whileRoland lives.' 'How can we kill him?' said he. Whereupon I answered, Iwould undertake to do it with his assistance. 'What can I do?' he asked.'I will tell you what I have planned,' said I. 'Before long we shall beon the march for France. The most dangerous post is the rear-guard, andthat Roland will claim. When he reaches the pass of Roncesvalles,surrounded by the flower of our chivalry, twenty thousand Navarrese andGascons, posted there by me, will hurl down a very shower of rocks. Takeadvantage of the surprise, and with two hundred thousand men fall onthem in the rear. I won't guarantee your men's lives, but you must carryon the battle incessantly, and at last Roland must be slain.' 'It isvery well said,' answered the king; 'this counsel is worth ten mules,laden with gold pieces, and I will pay you that sum yearly as long as Ilive.'"
At this point Pinabel, observing that Ganelon's horse, although it hadjust come off a long journey, only smelt at the rack without touchingits contents, took a pitchfork, and in order to find out what hinderedthe animal from eating, thrust it into the hay. One of the prongspierced Mitaine's thigh, but she nevertheless remained silent,determined not to lose for a cry the advantage of the conversation shehad overheard.
"There's nothing there," said Pinabel.
"What did you think there would be? Don't you know that a good horsenever eats much in the morning?" And with that the worthy couple quittedthe stable.
Mitaine had great difficulty in crawling back to Miton's tent. Shedressed her wound with a celebrated ointment, which is still in greatuse--the "Balm of Miton-Mitaine"--and was able to present herself thesame evening before Roland.
The Count of Mans listened to what his squire had to tell.
"This is good news you bring me, little one; and, with the aid ofHeaven, I will find a way thereby to rid the world of this traitorGanelon."
"What!" said Mitaine; "will you not alter your line of march?"
"Remember this: he who finds a snake in his path has two alternatives tochoose between. He can either make a _detour_, and continue his route,by doing which he leaves an enemy in his rear; or he can go straightto the monster and kill it, which is the safer course. There is, bythe way, a third solution of the matter--flight; but, of course, no onewould dream of that. I shall take care not to neglect the opportunitywhich is offered me. In the meantime, swear to keep strict silence onthis point!"
The trumpets resounded through the camp of Marsillus. The unbelieversplaced themselves in ambush beside the French line of march, and waitedfor the next morning.
The clarions rang out through the camp of Charlemagne. The hour ofdeparture had come. Charles rode proudly amid his gallant knights.
"Who will lead the rear-guard through the passes of Cisaire?" asked theEmperor of his nobles.
"Count Roland," suggested Ganelon, "since he is the bravest. Does notthe place of danger belong to him?"
"Count of Mayence, some evil intention influences that speech."
"Why so, sire?" interposed Roland. "Sir Ganelon is right. The task ismine--I claim it."
"So be it," said the Emperor. "My peers shall accompany you withtwenty-five thousand horsemen."
"The Saracens will have a hot day's work," said Ganelon to himself.
The Saracens were concealed in the forests at the entrance of the pass.The Navarrese and Gascons (everlasting shame upon them!) were lyingin ambush on the heights, ready to hurl death upon their brotherChristians.
The vanguard, consisting of twenty thousand men, led by Ogier the Dane,was first to present itself. But it was not they who were wanted---theywere allowed to pass.
Charlemagne came next, with Ganelon in attendance upon him. For sixhours the troops, the wagons, the booty, were slowly marching throughthe defile. There was an abundance of wealth; but who dared touch it?They were suffered to pass. Finally came the rear-guard, led by Roland.Then the Pagans began to be on the move, the Gascons prepared foraction. The great carnage was about to begin.
Marsillus was on horseback at the head of his troops. Buriabel, King ofAlexandria, came swaggering up to him.
"Sire, I have brought you thirty thousand soldiers, fully armed. I havenot hesitated to risk my life in your service. In return for this, Ionly ask one thing--the honour of despatching Roland. If I meet him, hedies!"
"You forget, it appears to me," said the King of Saragossa, in a severetone, "that I am here. I am not in the habit of handing over difficulttasks to others; Roland belongs to me! You will have enough to do withthe rest."
Then, armed to the teeth, they rode forward in serried ranks.
The Franks entered the pass. Roland halted them, and spoke:--"Brothersin arms! We are going to have a tough day's work. But few of us willever again behold fair France. Ganelon, the traitor, has brought us tothis evil pass! He has sold us to the Saracens. In a few minutesthese rocks will be hurled down upon us, and we shall hear the Saracentrumpets sounding. They do not know that we are forewarned, and thesound of our bugles will be the signal. Let those who are in doubt aboutour safety, therefore, leave us to join the main body. But let those,who desire wounds more awful than death--those who are ready tosacrifice their lives, in order to be revenged on Ganelon--let thoseremain with me!" Not a single knight quitted the ranks.
"If any one of us escapes, his life must be devoted to the exterminationof Ganelon, and all his race. For my part, I swear to do this!"
All repeated the oath. Roland heard behind him a voice, shriller thanany of the others, cry, "By the Shrine of St. Landri, death to the Countof Mayence!"
He turned, and saw Mitaine.
"Ah, unhappy child, what are you doing here? You know well what fateawaits us. Is this a place for babes-in-arms?"
"You do wrong to blame me, sir knight. You will, perhaps, have reason tobe sorry for your words before sunset."
Mitaine was on the summit of a peak. She gazed around on all sides, andsoon discovered the enemy. The sun was shining brightly, and glistenedon corslet and casque, spear and pennon. At the same moment the neighingof horses reached her ear.
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"The Saracens are coming from the Spanish side. They are so many innumber, it is difficult to understand how any troops can be left toguard the cities. If we had to encounter so large a Christian army, theresult would be doub
tful. But these are Pagans, and Heaven will not failus."
"If that be the case," said Oliver, "you had better sound your horn,friend Roland. Charlemagne has not gone far and will return at once toour aid on hearing it."
"We must wield swords, not horns, here. The way is open, if you fear theadventure is too arduous."
"Trust me, comrade; in a few moments it will be too late. Wind yourhorn!"
"You give me base counsel! It shall never be told that Roland quittedhis grasp of Durandal to wind his horn for aid against Pagans!"
"So be it," said Oliver. "We will not quarrel about it."
Roland turned to Gautier de Luz, and said to him--
"Dismount, Gautier, and let two thousand of our knights do the same.You will take the command of them, climb the mountain, and take theseaccursed Gascons in the rear before we enter the pass. Cut themup without mercy, like dogs as they are, and then, when you haveaccomplished the task, sound on your horn. We shall then draw on theSaracens in pursuit, and when I give the signal, do you roll down onthem the rocks prepared for our destruction."
"Well conceived," said Hoel of Nantes. "An excellent jest. I would notexchange my place here for anything in the whole world!"
Two thousand knights dismounted, and with Gautier de Luz at their head,commenced the ascent. Mitaine, more active and lighter than the others,went first to reconnoitre. Roland followed them with his eyes until theydisappeared behind the rocks.
In about a quarter of an hour, which, I can assure you, seemed longenough to those below, a great uproar broke out, and the Navarrese andGascons appeared in disorder on the cliffs. They were close pressed, andthose who were not put to the sword on the spot, were flung down intothe ravine, in which there was soon an almost insurmountable heap ofdead bodies. There was hardly a bush that was not adorned with somebleeding fragment or other.
Presently was heard the bugle note which announced that the heights weretaken, and Roland, followed by some thousands of knights, rode out tomeet the Saracens.
"What is the meaning of this?" said Marsillus, on beholding theChristians issuing from the pass. "It strikes me these brave warriorsare afraid to attempt the pass. But we know how to compel them to do so.Their graves are dug there, and there they must sleep this night--andnowhere else!"
Thirty thousand Saracens spurred forward in haste, and grew doublycourageous on beholding the Christians turn to retreat.
"What have they been telling us about the courage of these people?" saidArroth, the nephew of Marsillus. "So far, there has been more of thechase than the combat. We need hardly have come in such numbers."
"Your words are wanting in sense," said Turgis of Toulouse. "Pray Heavento allow your brains to grow old enough to perceive the folly."
The Saracens entered the defile in pursuit of the Franks, who hadsurmounted all the obstacles in the pass. Their pursuers, however,halted in wonder before the heap of dead bodies that barred theirpassage. Roland took advantage of their hesitation and gave the signal,on hearing Avhich Gautier de Luz set to work. Huge blocks of stonecrashed down from overhead, involving horses and men; living, dead, andwounded; Saracens, Gascons, and Navarrese, in one common destruction.The pass was completely blocked up.
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"Truly," said Roland, "Ganelon contrived this trap very cleverly. Butone cannot foresee everything in this world, and in this instance it isthe hare that is hunting; the hounds!"
The Pagans who returned to the King of Saragossa were barely eightthousand, including the wounded who had escaped destruction. They hadflung away their banners and their arms in order to facilitate theirflight.
"Is this what you promised us?" they cried, threateningly, to Marsillus."We have just fallen into a snare laid for us by Ganelon. Ah, dastard ofa Roland, treacherous Count of Mayence, coward of an Emperor, you shallhear more of us yet! By Mahomet, our vengeance shall be something tospeak of, rascals!"
A hundred thousand Saracen knights pricked forward at full speed, takinga different road, which permitted them to cut off the retreat of theFranks. In the meantime Gautier de Luz and Mitaine had rejoined Roland.
Archbishop Turpin had ridden to a slight eminence. The twenty thousandknights were on their knees around him.
"Prepare to perish nobly, my brothers-in-arms," said he to them. "Theheroes who do not shrink from the fight will sleep in Paradise bysunset. All your past sins shall be atoned for by cuts or thrusts ofsword or lance. I absolve you all from this moment!"
He gave them his blessing, and they rose, comforted and encouraged.
Presently the sound of the enemies' horses was heard, and before longthe two armies had encountered each other. Lances were shattered--thefield wras covered with fragments of arms and armour. Death had made aspeedy harvest, and riderless horses were galloping hither and thither,amid the groans and cries of the wounded.
Everywhere destruction was being dealt out.
At the head of the Saracens rode Arroth, nephew of Marsillus.
"By Allah! Charlemagne must be childish to give the command of therear-guard of his forces to Roland."
The Count of Mans heard him, but answered not. Lance in rest, he rodedown on him. Good heavens! what a thrust!--nothing could resist it. Itclave the shield of the nephew of the King of Saragossa, pierced hischest, broke his spine, and pinned him to the earth.
Fauseron, brother of King Marsillus, beheld Miton, and shouted tohim--"Your Emperor, Charlemagne, must be sorely jealous of the fame ofhis knights, to send them to be slaughtered thus."
Miton dashed at him with uplifted blade, and dealt him three terrificwounds: a partridge might have flown through any one of them with ease.
"You lie, knave!" cried the father of Mitaine; "our Charles is thebravest of the brave, and whoever questions it shall die the death of adog--as you die!"
Anseis charged at Turgis of Toulouse, and ran him through with hislance. The white pennon was stained crimson with the thrust.
But I should never finish if I told you all the wonderful blows theyinterchanged. At last the spear of Roland shivered. He drew Durandal andrushed into the thickest of the fight, slicing off heads with his swordas easily as a pigeon severs the heads of millet with its sharp beak.
The fury of the combat was redoubled. The Franks performed prodigies ofvalour, but the Saracens seemed never to tire of being slaughtered. Nosooner were thirty thousand Pagans stretched on the earth than thirtythousand more offered themselves for slaughter. The swords were bluntedwith repeated blows, but the strength of the heroes wearied not. Howmany Christians had received the crown of martyrdom! Yonder they lay,trampled under the horses' hoofs, while their mothers, their wives,their daughters were, perchance, singing cheerily as they awaited theirreturn.
At length came a time when there were no more Saracens left to kill. Ofa hundred thousand Pagans but two survived.
"Mountjoy St. Denis!" resounded over the field. But lo! King Marsillusarrived with the main body.
They had only encountered the advanced guard!
"Brethren," said Turpin, pointing to the Saracens with his mace, "yondercomes our death-struggle. Let us be polite, and go meet it; we shallonly be in Paradise the sooner!" and he rode off as swiftly as if hebestrode a swallow.
"Shame, false friend, to outstrip me!" cried Roland, spurringVeillantif. "Bishop, do not perish without e!"
Once more the contest raged furiously. Turpin perceived Abyme, the mostunbelieving Pagan of them all.
"What deity do you serve?" cried the bishop.
"None," said the heretic; whereupon, with three mighty blows of hismace, Turpin scattered over the field the amethysts, topazes, andcarbuncles that covered the Pagan's shield. At the third blow the soulof Abyme fled to the regions below.
Climborin smote down Angelier of Gascony, but he did not live more thanten seconds to enjoy his conquest. Miton had seen the deed, lowered hislance, and pierced the Pagan's throat.
"There, dog! you may go boast of your victory!" said he, as he rode off.
Oliver had rested but little all this while; he drove right and leftat the ranks of the enemy, brandishing Hauteclaire, mowing the Saracensdown like stubble.
His shield was of gold, charged with a red cross.
"That is a foul blazon," said Valdabron, striking the shield with hislance.
"Nevertheless, you shall bow to it," answered the brother of Aude, andwith one back-stroke he beheaded the paynim.
The Duke Sanche was slain: it was Haucuidant who struck the fatal blow;by his hand, too, perished Gerin and Anseis, Beranger and Guy de St.Antoine. But Roland rode right at the Pagan, and with the hilt ofDurandal crushed his face in, and flung him, an unrecognisable corpseunder his horse's hoofs.
"It is truly sad that we can only kill once a hound who has done so muchmischief."
Then the knight stood up in his stirrups, and gazed around him. Mercifulheavens, what a sight! Out of the twenty thousand Franks who had comethere, but sixty remained alive.
"By my hopes of Heaven!" said Roland, "I should die the happier if Icould but bear Marsillus with me to the grave. But how can I find himamid such a melee?"
Mitaine heard him.
"I will show him to you, if you will follow me;" and she began to stripoff her armour piecemeal. Roland caught her by the arm to stop her--?
"What proof of madness are you going to give us now?"
"You take wisdom for folly, my lord. Do you think I should be sufferedto pass, wearing your colours? My mother used to scold me for spoilingmy clothes; they might get damaged now."
"And you think I am going to let you perish like this?"
"Is it not absurd to make all this difficulty about it? Have we not comehere to die?"
And Mitaine freed herself from his grasp, and sprang on a Saracen horsethat she caught as it went riderless by. She was naked to the waist, andher golden hair floated around her shoulders. She seemed like the spiritof youth. Death fled from the presence of such lofty courage.
"Come and seek me, dastard of a Croquemitaine!" she cried. "Here I amwell protected from thee."
Roland followed her; his eyes were blinded with tears.
"Merciful heaven! what will they say of me for all these deaths? I shallscarce dare to show myself to-night in Paradise."
Mitaine had caught sight of the King of Saragossa, and made direct forhim, without looking right or left. Miton, whose headlong courage hadcarried him into the ranks of the foe, was beside her, surrounded by theSaracens. He was striking out right and left at random, thinking onlyto hack and hew the bodies of Pagans. Alas for the double misfortune!Mitaine drew near him and her father's sword traced a gory slash acrossher shoulder. She turned, and father and child recognised each other.
"Is it you my father? It was a good stroke, but 'tis wasted!" Horrifiedat the sight, Miton for a second forgot to defend himself.
In another moment poor Mita was a widow!
Meanwhile Mitaine had ridden close up to Marsillus, and rising up inher stirrups, to make sure Roland should see her, smote him on the face,crying, as loud as she was able--"Behold the King of Saragossa! Mountjoyfor Charlemagne!"
She could say no more. Marganice, King of Carthage, and uncle ofMarsillus, dealt her a blow on the chest that was far heavier than wasneeded. The poor girl sank, insensible, and rolled under the horse'shoofs, with blood gushing from her lips and nostrils.
When Roland saw this, his rage overpowered him. He drew near Oliver, andsaid, "Brother, shall we go slay that boastful Marsillus yonder?"
"It shall be done," said the other.
They dashed forward, followed by a few of the Franks still remaining onthe field--Beuve, Lord of Beaune and Dijon, whose death was a sore lossto Charles--Yve, and Yvoire, and Gerard of Roussillon. Roland and Oliverpenetrated farthest into the infidel ranks; at last they came within afew paces of Marsillus.
"Is it you, then, whom they call the King Marsillus?" said Roland.
"It is a name the Franks will not forget."
"I am called Roland. If you never knew me before you shall know meto-day;" and with that he smote off the King's right hand as he raisedit to strike.
The Saracens shouted in alarm, "Mahomet preserve us!" and fled likedoves before an eagle. If they had found legs to bring them thither,they had found wings to take them away.
There remained on the field only a thousand Ethiopians, the forcesof Marganice. They were drawn up at a distance, and seemed undecidedwhether to advance. Roland put his horn to his lips, and blew a blast sopowerful that it echoed and re-echoed for twenty leagues around.
"What are you doing?" said Oliver. "Have you lost all shame, and do youno longer fear to sound for help against Pagans?"
"These are cruel words, comrade!"
"Why disturb Charlemagne for such a trifle? We are three yet. If youhad been less brave we should not have bequeathed this defeat toour country. If you sound the bugle on my behalf, do not troubleyourself--henceforth I do not desire to live. If for Turpin, our friendonly survives by a miracle, and will be dead before any one can come tohis aid. If you sound, it is for yourself; and, by Heaven's truth! youwill be a brave man to face Charlemagne."
"Truly," said Turpin, "you might do better than quarrel now. Wind yourhorn, Roland, not for our sakes, but for the honour of France. We shallbe avenged, and our bones will be laid in consecrated soil. Wind yourhorn, Roland!"
The Count of Mans lifted his bugle to his lips, and blew so loud andlong, that the veins in his temples stood up like ropes, and the bloodflowed from his mouth.
The Emperor reined up his steed.
"Did you hear, as I did, the bugle of Roland?"
The Count of Mayence trembled, but he answered, "'Tis some goatherdcalling together his flock."
"Do you think I've grown childish, that I should mistake a horn for apipe? It was Roland's horn, past a doubt."
"Well, sire, he sounds his bugle for nothing often; perchance he ischasing some wild animal."
"By your leave, sire, the horn has a mournful sound," said Naymesof Bavaria, "and it is but due to your peers to go and see what hasbefallen them."
"You are right, friend. Ganelon, you will remain here;" and Charlescalled for Besgue, his head cook, and entrusted to him the custody ofthe Count of Mayence.
"It is the duty of your scullions to guard this criminal. Have you anystout rope to put him to the question with?"
"I have, sire, the rope, saving your presence, with which I tie up thepigs when I stick them."
"That will do well! And now, my comrades, let us hasten to Roland."
"There is no need to hurry," said Ganelon, with a grin; "Roland does notring the bell until mass is over."
"Even so, renegade," said the Emperor, "we may arrive in time forvespers, and so much the worse for the Pagans."
Roland was the only one left alive on the plains of Roncesvalles. Tothe shouts and yells of conflict had succeeded a silence infinitely moreterrible.
Dismayed at their success, the Saracens had fled. The work wasaccomplished; the vultures would fitly succeed them. Insatiableparasites of the King of Saragossa, these new comers seldom had time towipe their beaks between the banquets.
Roland dismounted for the first time in the four-and-twenty hours.The brave knight could scarcely stand. Leaning his brow on his horse'ssaddle, he cried like a child--he had poured out all his blood, and hehad nothing left to shed but tears!
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His wounds seemed nothing to him. It was despair that was killing him.In his grief he knelt beside the body of Oliver, and clasped it in hisarms. He laid it on the turf, unlaced the helmet, kissed the cold brow,stripped off the armour, and examined it all over, unable to believethat he had really lost such a friend and companion in arms.
He did the same for Turpin, Miton, and Gautier de Luz. But of what availwas it to lavish cares upon the lifeless clay? Their spirits were inheaven.
Roland raised his head. He fancied he heard a faint but sweet voicepronounce his name. What happiness if there yet survived some one!
r />
"Do you not know me, my dear lord? Come hither and bid me farewell!"
Pale, stretched on the field among the slain, lay the godchild ofCharlemagne.
"Heaven be praised, my pretty one! To see you still alive makes mealmost fancy Heaven smiles upon me. You will not die--I would not be thecause of your death! Charles will be here soon, and will bear you backto our own beloved France."
"You deceive yourself, Roland. I shall never again behold the greatEmperor--never again my native land! Before long I shall meet my fatheronce more. But tell me, have the Saracens retreated?"
"They have retreated into Spain."
"Then the victory belongs to us two! By the shrine of St. Landri! I amhappier than I ever dreamed of being."
Roland knelt down, took off one of his great gold spurs, and fixed it onMitaine's heel.
"There, brave little hero, none ever better merited the rank of knight!"and he buckled it on. The two little feet of the squire would have bothfitted easily into the single spur.
In an ecstacy of joy, Mitaine raised herself, and flung her arms roundRoland's neck.
"Quick, quick, my beloved lord! give me the accolade, for I feel I amdying!"
And Mitaine sank back on the turf, plucked with a last effort two bladesof grass, which she fashioned into a cross, and expired while kissing itwith fervour.
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Roland felt very solitary now. Feeling the shades of death gatheringround him, he stole up to Veillantif.
"My brave charger, your mouth is not meant for the bit of the Saracen,nor your sides for the Pagan spur."
And Roland, having kissed its soft muzzle, killed his favourite steedwith one blow of Durandal.
"Now, my treasured Durandal, what shall I do with thee? Thy hiltencloses one of the teeth of St. Peter, and a hair from the beard of St.Denis. Neither must thou fall into the hands of unbelievers!"
He called up all his strength, and struck his sword upon the granite. Itclave the rock, without denting its blade. Three times he essayed again,but with no better success.
His sight was failing him. A cold chill seized him. He sank down besidea granite peak, stretched upon his invincible sword, that people mightknow well that he died a conqueror.
Roland had just ceased to breathe when Charlemagne arrived on the field.
You will imagine, my young friends, that the Emperor made the Saracenspay dearly for the loss of his knights. It was not until he had utterlydestroyed the infidel army that Charles would consent to dismount fromhis horse on the plains of Roncesvalles. Alas! the butchery of Saracenscould not restore life to Roland or his companions.
Poor Charlemagne! he tore his grey hair and long beard, and havingordered the bodies of the Count of Mans, Turpin, Oliver, Miton, andMitaine to be placed in coffins of black marble, he had them borne backto France with every mark of honour.
As he approached Aix-la-Chapelle the Emperor saw a long, long line ofweeping women, all attired in black, coming out to meet him. It was thefair Aude, supported by her widowed sister Mita, and followed by a suiteof three hundred ladies.
Charlemagne, deeply affected by the sight of such affliction,dismounted, and pressed the fair Aude to his heart.
"My poor child!" said he, "you are a widow or ever you were a bride."
The fair Aude opened her lips to reply, but she had not the strength tospeak.
The Emperor felt her sink back in his arms, and, turning to theattendants, he asked--
"Is there a place for her in the coffin by the side of Roland?"
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A few days later were celebrated with great pomp the obsequies of thebetrothed of the Count of Mans. At the same hour, draged on a hurdle,between two of the executioner's assistants, the disfigured corpse ofthe traitor Ganelon was carried to the charnel.
"And Croquemitaine, won't you tell us something about it?" you would askme.
Croquemitaine does not exist, my dears.
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THE END.
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