“When the blast has passed away,” said Conrade, “the straws, which it made dance to its pipe, will settle to earth again.”
“But knowest thou not besides,” said the Templar, “that it seems, if this new purpose of conquest shall be abandoned and pass away, and each mighty prince shall again be left to such guidance as his own scanty brain can supply, Richard may yet probably become King of Jerusalem by compact, and establish those terms of treaty with the Soldan which thou thyself thought'st him so likely to spurn at?”
“Now, by Mahound and Termagaunt, for Christian oaths are out of fashion,” said Conrade, “sayest thou the proud King of England would unite his blood with a heathen Soldan? My policy threw in that ingredient to make the whole treaty an abomination to him. As bad for us that he become our master by an agreement, as by victory.”
“Thy policy hath ill calculated Richard's digestion,” answered the Templar; “I know his mind by a whisper from the Archbishop. And then thy master-stroke respecting yonder banner—it has passed off with no more respect than two cubits of embroidered silk merited. Marquis Conrade, thy wit begins to halt; I will trust thy finespun measures no longer, but will try my own. Knowest thou not the people whom the Saracens call Charegites?”
“Surely,” answered the Marquis; “they are desperate and besotted enthusiasts, who devote their lives to the advancement of religion—-somewhat like Templars, only they are never known to pause in the race of their calling.”
“Jest not,” answered the scowling monk. “Know that one of these men has set down in his bloody vow the name of the Island Emperor yonder, to be hewn down as the chief enemy of the Moslem faith.”
“A most judicious paynim,” said Conrade. “May Mohammed send him his paradise for a reward!”
“He was taken in the camp by one of our squires, and in private examination frankly avowed his fixed and determined purpose to me,” said the Grand Master.
“Now the heavens pardon them who prevented the purpose of this most judicious Charegite!” answered Conrade.
“He is my prisoner,” added the Templar, “and secluded from speech with others, as thou mayest suppose; but prisons have been broken—”