“Oh, no, no!” said Raymond. “I am no longer a boy. I can take care of myself. Spare your tired bones, for you are no longer the youngest, and my strength is sufficient.” “I do not dispute that. Who could, after seeing the many deeds you have performed?” “Then assign me to the duty.” “It is all the more dangerous because of the strength required. Even if you had a giant’s strength it might be of no avail. You must remember that the enemy are swarming about us on all sides. They are hovering between us and the army, like birds of prey, seeking to swoop down upon their victims. Foresight and skill, cunning and shrewdness, alone can avail, and only one whose steed can equal the speed of their horses may hope to escape unharmed.” “That I can do better than any of the rest of you,” said Raymond. “You are not aware that I have captured a Turkish horse, one of those incomparable coursers. Having lighter armor than the rest of you, I can surely go without danger.” “That is fortunate. It almost seems as if the Divine Hand were pointing the way to the accomplishment of our wishes,” said Conrad. “I have no objection, and assign you to this difficult task. But be wary and alert. Delay not a moment. Let not weariness overcome you, and be not deceived by the quiet around you. It is only the noble lion who openly seeks his prey; the bloodthirsty tiger lies in wait for the approach of its unsuspecting victim. So it is with our enemies. When you reach the camp, hasten to the Emperor’s tent, and if you have to rouse him from sleep, do so, and urge haste upon him and the army. If that is of no avail, then tell them of this valley. Tell them they will find an end to their privations here and they will long for wings to fly hither. Now depart with God’s blessing, and may He go with you.” A hearty embrace followed these words. The boy went out, mounted his horse, and flew across the valley like the wind. The last rays of the setting sun gilded the mountain tops, and those in the valley saw the young hero riding as if in a blaze of golden glory, and waving his hand to them in greeting, as he disappeared behind the heights. The little band were soon sleeping, all save the sentinels, who noiselessly paced their rounds, listening and watching for any suspicious sound or object. Chapter VIII Raymond’s Heroic Ride