"Sire," said he, "since thus it must be, I promise to pay the sum you require, but what time do you grant me to find so mighty a ransom?"
"Hugh," said the King, "I accord you the grace of one year. If within the year you count me out the tale of these besants, I will take it gladly; but if you fail to gain it, then must you return to your prison, and I will hold you more willingly still."
"Sire, I pledge my word and my faith. Now deliver me such a safe conduct that I may return in surety to my own land."
"Hugh, before you part I have a privy word to speak to you."
"Sire, with all my heart, and where?"
"In this tent, close by."
When they were entered into the pavilion, the Emperor Saladin sought to know of Sir Hugh in what fashion a man was made knight of the Christian chivalry, and required of him that he should show it to his eyes.
"Sire, whom then should I dub knight?"
"Myself," answered the King.
"Sire, God forbid that I should be so false as to confer so high a gift and so fair a lordship even upon the body of so mighty a prince as you."