Just at this moment a young horseman rode furiously into the court-yard.
It was Roland, Sir Godfrey’s son. “Great news!” he began at once. “Another Crusade has been declared—and I am going. Merry Christmas! Where’s Elaine? Where’s the Dragon?”
Father Anselm’s quick brain seized this chance. He and his monks should make a more stately exit than he had planned.
“See,” he said in a clear voice to his monks, “how all is coming true that was revealed to me this night! My son,” he continued, turning to young Roland, “thy brave resolve reached me ere thou hadst made it. Know it has been through thee that the Dragon has gone!”
Upon this there was profound silence.
“And now,” he added solemnly, “farewell. The monks of Oyster-le-Main go hence to the Holy Land also, to battle for the true Faith. Behold! we have made us ready to meet the toil.”
His haughty tones ceased, and he made a sign. The gray gowns fell to the snow, and revealed a stalwart, fierce-looking crew in black armour. But the Abbot kept his gray gown.
“You’ll stay for the wedding?” inquired Sir Godfrey of him.
“Our duty lies to the sea. Farewell, for I shall never see thy face again.”
He turned. Hubert gathered up the hide of the crocodile and threw a friendly glance back at Geoffrey. Then again raising their song, the black band slowly marched out under the gate and away over the snow until the ridge hid them from sight, and only their singing could be heard in the distant fields.