fled before the lions, who shook their manes in furious rage and looked about them for more victims. With tears in their eyes the two youths stood by the side of their dying father. They had laid their dear one under a great oak tree, which extended its branches over him like protecting arms, and sought to stanch his wound. The sight bitterly grieved the Emperor as he approached. He had found the steed and shield of his old comrade-in-arms, and well knew what he had lost; but the spot showed clearly what his life had cost the enemy, for the shield was covered with blood and a wall of slain lay beside it. He at once ordered that his brave friend should be taken to his own tent and cared for as such a friend deserved. “Were it possible to purchase thy life, thou faithful one, I would give this day’s honor,” said the Emperor, with great emotion. “Thanks, my noble sovereign, for thy true friendship, which accompanies me even to the grave,” said Conrad; “but I feel I shall not long enjoy it. Death steadily approaches, and my life swiftly nears its close. But it would be a great consolation in my dying hour to know that my sons will be cared for. I brought them here in the morning of their life that they might see how brave knights can die for God and their Emperor. I think I myself have set them the best example—I can do no more. Take them when I am gone.” “I will care for them,” said the Emperor, “as if they were my own sons, and they shall always be near me. I pledge my life for them as freely and as courageously as thou hast pledged thine for me.” The dying Conrad cast a look of gratitude upon the Emperor, then turned to his sons, pressed their hands to his heart with all his remaining strength, and said: “Be worthy of your ancestors your whole life long—turn not a step from the path—of virtue—true to your Emperor to—the last breath—to innocence a—protector—to evil-doers and blasphemers—an avenging judge—and—I die willingly.” Thus Conrad of Feuchtwangen passed away. All were in tears. Even the Emperor’s eyes were moist. At last he ordered that the body should be buried with the highest honors, and that Raymond and Conrad should follow him to his tent and stay with him in future. Chapter X Capture of the Brothers The brothers passed a sorrowful and sleepless night. Though they felt greatly honored by the Emperor’s protection, they would rather have grown to manhood under their father’s eyes, learned their highest duties from his lips, and, inspired by his example, have reached his lofty standard of honor. They fervently prayed for strength to face the inevitable, but no rest came to their tired bodies. Raymond suffered pain in his wounded arm, and Conrad, who was greatly overcome by his own exertions and by the loss of his father, was even more greatly troubled by the fear that he might lose his brother also and be left utterly alone.