The Boy Crusaders (Paperback)

Excerpt: ... his hands resting, as if for support, on his charger's neck. 'In truth, ' replied Joinville, after examining the horseman, 'it is the Count of Brittany;' as, closely pursued by Saracens, the wounded warrior gained the bridge, and ever and anon turned round and shouted mockingly to his pursuers. 'By St. Denis, ' exclaimed the count, 'one thing is certain: he is not afraid of his pursuers.' And almost as the Count of Soissons spoke, the Count of Brittany was followed by two warriors, who made their way through the Saracens, literally smiting to the earth all who came in their way. 146 Nothing, it seemed, could resist their progress; and their path was tracked with blood. On they came, scornfully scattering their foes till they reached the bridge, when reining up where the Lord of Joinville was posted, they stopped to take breath, after their almost superhuman exertions. One had in his hand a battle-axe; the other a sword. The battle-axe was stained red with gore; the sword was hacked till it looked 'like a saw of dark and purple tint.' One was Bisset, the English knight, the other was the Grand Master of the Temple. The horses of both were wounded all over; the helmets of both were deeply dinted. Bisset's mail was almost hacked to pieces; the Templar's vestments were torn to rags, his cuirass pierced, and his eye and face wounded and bleeding. 'You bring tidings of woe?' said the Count of Soissons. 'Woe, in truth, ' answered Bisset; for the grand master could not even muster voice to speak; 'of all who rode into Mansourah this morning, not a man, save ourselves, lives to tell the tale.' 'And what of the Count of Artois, sir knight?' asked Joinville. 'I know not, ' replied Bisset, briefly; 'the count disappeared early, and doubtless died with the comrades of his jeopardy.' 'No, ' interrupted the Count of Brittany, faintly, 'he was drowned while attempting to save himself by flight. At least, ' added he, 'so I have been told.' And in truth, to this day it...