But, at the moment when all hope seemed lost, the interference of the young knight of the church prevented the execution of the crime about to be perpetrated.
Followed by his archers and men-at-arms, he rushed forward, and commanded that the prisoner should be released, in a tone and with gestures so commanding, that the astonished crowd was, for a time, arrested in their project, and a general silence ensued, presently broken by a voice at a distance, which exclaimed--"Noble and generous child! the blessing of Heaven be on thee!" All eyes were directed towards the speaker--an old man with silver hair, clothed in a dark mantle, with the hood drawn over his head: he stood on an elevated mound above the scene of action, and on finding himself observed hurried away from the spot.
Meantime, taking advantage of the awe his appearance had excited in the public mind, the knight hastened to the poor Cagot, cut with his sword the cords which bound him, and set him at liberty.

Amazement was painted on the victim's countenance, as he observed the relief which approached him: to be the object of care to a noble knight--to be defended, treated like a human creature was indeed a prodigy to him! The being, but an instant before stupified and inert, from whom insult and injury had drawn no cry nor tear, this evidence of humanity touched to the quick: he cast a long look of tenderness and gratitude on his deliverer; and large tears rolled down his bleeding cheeks.

But the panic of the instant soon passed away; hoarse murmurs arose, and threatening words, and the tumult recommenced, Odon d'Artiguelouve advanced to the knight, and demanded, in a haughty tone, by what right he interfered with the execution of the laws.
"'I am not a stranger to this country,' replied he, calmly, 'though it is some time since I quitted it; and I know its _fors_ and _customs_ probably as well as you can do, Messire.' "'Then,' answered Odon, 'you should know that a Cagot is forbidden to appear in an assembly of citizens, and that all commerce with them is expressly denied him; that he has no right to touch any article intended for their use; and yet you defend this wretch, who has defiled, by the contact of his accursed hand, the game which belongs to a gentleman.' "'It appears, then,' answered the knight, with bitter irony, 'that a gentleman singularly loves his game, since he attaches more value to a boar's head than to the life of a noble lady, which this poor Cagot preserved at the risk of injuring one of these precious animals.' "'Was it for high deeds of this nature,' interposed the Lady of Artiguelouve, seeing that her son's countenance fell, 'that the knight took his vows, when he received the honour of the accolade ?' "'I swore, madam,' answered the _caver_, 'to consecrate my arms to the service of religion, and the defence of the widow, the orphan, and the _unprotected_.' "'And by what enchantment,' rejoined Dame Garsende, 'does your knight-errantship behold in us giants or monsters ?' "'A loyal and christian knight ever sees a monster in oppression, madam.
No man can be punished before he is judged, and I see here neither jury, court of knights, or _cour majour_.' "'If that is all,' cried Odon, 'every formality shall be gone through.
Seize this miserable wretch, my friends, and drag him to the justice-seat; we will follow.'" An immediate movement was made to obey this order; but the knight again interfered.
"'It is well,' said he; 'but if you have a right to take him before a court, he has that of claiming sanctuary.

From whence come you, friend ?' he added, turning to the Cagot.
"'From the Vallee d'Aspe, sir knight,' was the answer.
"'Then, it would suffice to reach the Pene d'Escot, at the entrance of this valley, to be in an inviolable security, and we would, if it were necessary, escort you as far; but closer still a refuge attends you; you have only to reach the _circle of sanctuary_ which yon church of Aubertin offers.'"[45] [Footnote 45: By a charter of 1103, churches allowed an asylum within a space of thirty paces in circumference.

_Ecclesiae salvitatem habeant triginta passuum circumcirca .-- Marca._] * * * * * A great struggle now ensues, the Bearnais resolving to oppose the Cagot's entrance to the sanctuary, and the knight and his followers maintaining his attempt.