If their numbers are now few, it is because their lives have been freely waged and wasted." "I grant it true," said the King; "and for the good offices I have done your land I require you to remember that, as a principal member of the Christian league, I have a right to know the negotiations of my confederates.

Do me, therefore, the justice to tell me what I have a title to be acquainted with, and which I am certain to know more truly from you than from others." "My lord," said the Scot, "thus conjured, I will speak the truth; for I well believe that your purposes towards the principal object of our expedition are single-hearted and honest, and it is more than I dare warrant for others of the Holy League.

Be pleased, therefore, to know my charge was to propose, through the medium of the hermit of Engaddi--a holy man, respected and protected by Saladin himself--" "A continuation of the truce, I doubt not," said Richard, hastily interrupting him.
"No, by Saint Andrew, my liege," said the Scottish knight; "but the establishment of a lasting peace, and the withdrawing our armies from Palestine." "Saint George!" said Richard, in astonishment.

"Ill as I have justly thought of them, I could not have dreamed they would have humbled themselves to such dishonour.

Speak, Sir Kenneth, with what will did you carry such a message ?" "With right good will, my lord," said Kenneth; "because, when we had lost our noble leader, under whose guidance alone I hoped for victory, I saw none who could succeed him likely to lead us to conquest, and I accounted it well in such circumstances to avoid defeat." "And on what conditions was this hopeful peace to be contracted ?" said King Richard, painfully suppressing the passion with which his heart was almost bursting.
"These were not entrusted to me, my lord," answered the Knight of the Couchant Leopard.