But Sir Andrew made no comment, only he said: "Tell me your story, and be careful that you speak the truth." "Why should I not, who have nothing to hide ?" answered Nicholas.
"I was captured by some Arabs as I journeyed to the Jordan upon a pilgrimage, who, when they found that I had no goods to be robbed of, would have killed me.

This, indeed, they were about to do, had not some of Saladin's soldiers come by and commanded them to hold their hands and give me over to them.

They did so, and the soldiers took me to Damascus.

There I was imprisoned, but not close, and then it was that I saw Lozelle, or, at least, a Christian man who had some such name, and, as he seemed to be in favour with the Saracens, I begged him to intercede for me.
Afterwards I was brought before the court of Saladin, and having questioned me, the Sultan himself told me that I must either worship the false prophet or die, to which you can guess my answer.

So they led me away, as I thought, to death, but none offered to do me hurt.
"Three days later Saladin sent for me again, and offered to spare my life if I would swear an oath, which oath was that I should take a certain package and deliver it to you, or to your daughter named the Lady Rosamund here at your hall of Steeple, in Essex, and bring back the answer to Damascus.