It was a long story. When the story-teller began there were some signs of impatience; but before he had proceeded far, every one present was intent upon the speaker's lips.

It was a wonderful story, and was sweetly and wonderfully told. The sweet musical voice of the speaker touched every listener. The story-teller swayed the audience as a summer breeze sways a field of ripening grain. And when he finished all rose as with one impulse and gave a mighty cheer that fairly rent the pavilion.

"This youth," said Eleanor, when the applause had subsided, “hath so eclipsed the other singers, both in the ingenuity of his tale and in the art of delivery, that I confer upon him the golden laurels, and crown him king of the contest."

“Most noble queen," cried Berenger, stammering and blushing, as he was pushed forward against his will to the throne, "I pray your pardon, but I can in no wise accept the reward you are pleased to give to my poor efforts. Others have merited better, especially your princely son." "There can be but one judge here," replied Eleanor. "Is that your only reason for refusing the prize?"

Nay, royal lady; there is another. This prize is given to Berenger, the wanderer. I am, pardon me, Berengaria; I entered this contest in a spirit of play. Again I pray for your pardon." And lifting her cap, a shower of golden

hair fell to her waist.

The queen tried to speak, but an outburst of applause

drowned her voice. When the merriment had subsided, Richard stepped forward and begged grace for the fair culprit.

"She is absolved," said the queen graciously, "and to thee, my Richard, I decree these silver roses; but to Berengaria the perfect golden laurels, and I proclaim her till the next Court the queen of all troubadours."

III. How RICHARD WENT ON A CRUSADE

"I pray thee," said Richard to Berengaria, after the Court was over for the day, "tell me what became of the fifty suits of jeweled armor of which you told."

"They were never heard of more," replied Berengaria. "It is supposed that the Moorish ladies carried them back to Spain, but they have never been seen since that day in any joust or battle."

"And thou, my lady mother, who hast followed a crusade to the Holy Land, and hast met many a Saracen prince, hast thou noticed a coat of mail thus bejeweled?"

"Jeweled mail and weapons have I seen in great plenty. Now that I think, there was a young Emir named Saladin who wore only red stones. They may have been carbuncles."

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Then," said Richard, "I swear that I will go a crusader to seek out this Saladin and recover from him his enchanted armor."

"Make not, my son, such a rash vow," replied Eleanor.

"The cross of the crusader must not be assumed so lightly."

It was only a short time after this event when King Henry died and left the throne to Richard.

"A shaft has now fallen upon our friendship," said Blondel to Richard; "the merry days are over, and castle and cot shall know us no more."

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Nay, nay, my friend," said Richard, "all shall be as it has been. Thy friendship is dearer to me than my crown.'

"Nay, sire," replied the minstrel, "were I to desire that, I should be a false friend to thee. When thou art king, thou art king. If there come an hour in the day, at any time, when thy kingship calls thee not, then remember thy friend."

Then Blondel withdrew from Court and would not permit that the king should seek him, as in the olden days. For that, Richard loved him all the more, and the friendship was not broken, but waxed stronger. The king perceived the truth of the minstrel's words, and reflected that Blondel had ever been a wise companion, and had often guarded his steps safely where alone he had fared but ill.

Now it happened that the Pope was calling for a crusader against Saladin, who was overrunning the Holy Land, and Richard, ever ready for action, remembered his desire to fight this same Saladin. So he made an agreement with Philip of France, and in a short time they set out to redeem Palestine, though not until Richard had made the fair queen of the troubadours queen also of England.

Therefore Richard and Berengaria set out to the Holy Land, but Blondel, the faithful friend, remained at home to look after the interests of his master.

He knew that there would need to be a friendly eye on affairs in England, for he knew well the nature of John, the king's scheming brother, and his associates.

Richard took with him more soldiers and better equipment than had ever been taken on a crusade; yet things went not well with him. There were misfortunes by land and by sea. And the Turks were good fighters. What Richard won from them one day they won back the next. So it fell that Richard failed to get possession of the enchanted armor of Saladin, and failed to win back the Holy Sepulcher.

Then came news that things were going ill at home, and unless Richard wished to lose his throne he must return at once. Besides, there were jealousies between the French soldiers and the soldiers of Richard. He saw that nothing could be accomplished; so he set out for England.

Having gone part way by water, he decided to leave the ship with a band of faithful followers, and finish the journey by land. He thought by this plan he would arrive in England before he was expected, and so he might discover his enemies ere they dreamt of his coming.

And doubtless this would have been a wise plan; but unfortunately Richard had to travel through the domains of two of his bitterest enemies, Duke Leopold of Austria, and the king of Germany.

Of these things Richard thought little, for he was not of a cautious disposition. Had Blondel been by his side, he never would have taken a step so rash. But as it was,

he set out joyfully upon the adventure.

He had not gone far, however, when he received warning that Duke Leopold had learned of his traveling across country.

"See ye," said Richard to his companions, "we must be cautious; I would not be taken by this hostile duke for much. I will press onward therefore with this page, and ye shall travel by other ways." So he and the little page rode on alone.

But Richard did not know how to be discreet.

It soon came to the ears of Leopold that a merchant pilgrim was traveling through the land, whose page bought bread with gold pieces and wore lace of a costly kind. Leopold at once guessed who that merchant pilgrim might be, and clapped him into a strong dungeon, fastening a dozen stout bolts behind his back.

Henry, king of Germany, heard of this, and thought it more fit that so important a prisoner should be in a king's charge. So he made representations to Leopold, and in the end bought Richard for a large sum of money. Then he conveyed the royal prisoner to a lonely castle which stood upon a rock, far away in the distant valley. In that castle had been done many deeds of which men spoke with changing face and pallid lips.