Two hours before, he had entered the lists, mounted on his steed, followed by a brilliant suite of kings, emits, and alcaldes, and preceded by a band of barbarous music; proud of his strength, relying on his own bravery, boasting, and threatening. But if Heaven does not favour the cause of the lion, it not unfrequently happens that the Iamb gets considerably the better of him. The enraged Garlan. CHAPTER XIII. THE TWO ROGUES RELEASED. THE whole assembly was so full of other matters, that no one gave a thought to Ganelon or Wolf. Pinabel, the nephew of the Count of Mayence, was the first to recollect them. Approaching Charlemagne, he inquired if it would not be proper to release the two suspended knights, and if the king would entrust the task to him. “That concerns Roland,” said the king; “he has achieved their deliverance, and therefore they are his property. Go, then, nephew, and take down the two heroes, who are cutting so very sorry a figure up yonder. You will, of course, think it proper to give them the use of their wings.” Roland was talking with Aude, and was not particularly pleased at the interruption. However, he went to the chapel, where he arrived in a very bad humour. “It is very hard,” said he to Ganelon, “to be put to inconvenience every minute for people who are not the least grateful for what one does. When a man hasn’t the strength to carry out an enterprise, he should not attempt it. This is the second time that I have had to release you from a state of suspense, and for no fault of mine. For Heaven’s sake, in future don’t put the credit of France in jeopardy lightly. Remember, you are not the only Frenchman in the world, and also that I cannot always be close at your heels to repair your blunders.” And, without further delay, he restored the two suspended knights to the ground, and returned to the fair Aude. “Well,” said Wolf to Ganelon, “are you in the humour to digest affronts like those?” “I fancy, my lord duke, you have had your share of them too, and they don’t seem to disagree with you.” “It would be only right to chastise him for his insolence.” “And pray what hinders you?” said the count, smiling. “The same reason that teaches you patience. This Roland is a brute and a----” Cut here the idlers congregated around the two vanquished knights, and mocked at them unsparingly. Not being anxious to supply public amusement gratis, they thought fit to retreat, and returned to their tents, where they passed the night in the formation of projects that were far from Christian, though they originated in Christian brains. [Illustration: 085] [Illustration: 086] CHAPTER XIV. THE CORSELET OF CAMBRIC. IT is nine o clock. All is quiet in the camp. The fires have been extinguished as a measure of prudence, and only the moon is allowed to gleam.