When Abd-el-Kader returned for Rosen-Aer, he had donned his battle costume. He wore a brilliant steel cuirass, and a red turban wrapped around his gilded casque. A scimitar of marvelous workmanship hung from his belt; its sheath as well as its handle of massive gold was ornamented with arabesques of corals and diamonds. The Arab warrior said to Rosen-Aer with suppressed emotion: "Allow me to embrace you as a daughter." Rosen-Aer gave Abd-el-Kader her forehead, saying: "I pray that your children may long retain their father." The Arab and the Gallic woman left the harem together. Outside they met the five sons of the chief--Abd-Allah, Hasam, Abul-Casem, Mahomet and Ibraham, the youngest, all in full armor, on horseback and carrying over their arms long and light white woolen cloaks with black tufts. The youngest of the family, a lad of barely fifteen, alighted from his horse when he saw Rosen-Aer, took her hand, kissed it respectfully and said: "You have been a mother to me; before departing for battle I greet you as a son." The Gallic woman thought of her son Amael, who also was fifteen years when he departed from the valley of Charolles, and answered the young man: "May God protect you, you who are now to incur the risk of war for the first time!" "'Believers, when you march upon the enemy, be unshakable,' says the prophet," the lad replied with mild yet grave voice. "We are going to deliver battle to the infidel Franks. I shall fight bravely under the eyes of my father.... God alone disposes of our lives. His will be done." Once more kissing the hand of Rosen-Aer, the young Arab helped her mount her mule that was led by a black slave. From the distance the martial bray of the Saracen clarions was heard. Abd-el-Kader waved his last adieu to Rosen-Aer, and the Arab, with whom age had not weakened the martial ardor of younger years, leaped upon his horse and galloped off, followed by his five sons. For a few moments longer the Gallic woman followed with her eyes the long white cloaks that the rapid course of the Arab and his five children raised to the wind. When they had disappeared in a cloud of dust at a turning of the street, Rosen-Aer ordered the black slave to lead the mule towards the main gate of the town in order to ride out and reach the colonist's house. PART I. THE CONVENT OF ST. SATURNINE CHAPTER I. THE LAST OF THE MEROVINGIANS. About a month had elapsed since the departure of Abd-el-Kader and his five sons to meet Charles Martel in battle.