Raymond’s Heroic Ride
Our young hero rode with a stout heart. His steed showed itself a worthy
representative of the splendid Arab breed. The waves of a gently flowing
stream could not have borne him more easily. His horse’s hoofs hardly
disturbed the soil. It glided with the swiftness of the wind or the
swallow, rather than ran, and was so perfectly trained that it obeyed
the slightest touch upon its shoulder or pull upon the bridle. It never
needed the spur and yet the rider, as the noble animal sped along with
flying mane and distended nostrils, making the sparks and gravel fly,
knew that it could make still greater speed, should that be necessary.
Raymond rode at this speed for nearly an hour. The night was very dark
and so still that only the echoes of his horse’s hoof-beats were heard
among the neighboring hills as he flew at a swift trot through the
ravines and passes. At times he heard the cry of the hungry jackals in
the dense forest, but no other sounds reached his ears.
Thus in the silent solitude of the forest, far from friends but perhaps
close to lurking enemies, our hero said good-bye to his youthful days
almost before he had entered upon them, and boldly took up the work of
manhood. He knew nothing of that silly fear which arises from the
imagination. However or wherever he might encounter an enemy, he
determined to show his knighthood if that enemy met him manfully. The
possibility of defeat never occurred to him. He felt himself under
divine protection. He believed, as his comrades did, that this war
against the Turks was well-pleasing to God, and that all engaged in it
were under His special protection, for had not God been with them thus
far in all their troubles? Had He not already guided Conrad well-nigh to
the accomplishment of his purpose? Since the honor of bringing that
purpose to completion had been assigned to him, surely God would guide
him also and bring him to success.
With such uplifting thoughts his soul was filled as he rode rapidly on,
watching carefully all about him lest he should be surprised by some
unseen danger. His road now lay between two walls of rock, which loudly
echoed the clatter of his horse’s hoofs. The stony ground made the
slightest sound audible. It was one of those spots which the Turks had
defended so obstinately and which the Christians had taken in their
recent gallant attack. While thinking of the possibility that the enemy
might be lying in wait upon the mountain sides, if not for him then for
the army, and that the outlet of the pass might be blocked, a slight
tremor, but not of fear, seized him as he heard a sharp whiz through the
air and a sudden blow upon his armor, which he at once knew was caused
by an arrow. Like a flash he touched his steed’s flank. The Arab
bounded, gave a loud snort, and then flew like the storm-wind. Stooping
a little in his saddle, Raymond glanced up the heights. He thought he
saw dark figures gliding about who had delayed attacking him in their
uncertainty whether he was friend or foe.
There was a great difference between the hoof-beats of the Arab and
those of the Crusaders’ horses. Misled by this and by their inability to
see distinctly in the thick darkness, the Turks lost an easy victim. But
Raymond was not yet out of danger. He heard individual calls, which the
echoes repeated over and over again. It was clear they came from
outposts warning those in the distance of his approach. He still further
increased his speed, for delay now was dangerous, thinking that by
swifter flight he might reach the end of the pass before the Turks could
oppose him in force. While he was still some distance from it, the moon
rose and shed its faint lustre upon the mountain sides, making his
enemies look like ghosts. As he urged his horse to its utmost speed,
that he might not be an easy mark, the ravine was suddenly illuminated
with moonlight, and directly ahead of him a faint streak of light
appeared. It was the outlet of the pass and beyond it the open country
was flooded with the radiance of the moon. With thankful heart he looked
up to heaven, gently patted his noble horse, which, seeming to
understand the meaning of his caresses, shook its mane, tossed its head,
and bounded along exultantly.
Imagine Raymond’s feelings, however, when he espied two dark figures at
the outlet of the pass whom he instantly recognized as Turkish horsemen.
His good lance was levelled at once, ready for a strong thrust with his
right hand, while his left held his shield before his breast. He rushed
upon them at a furious gallop with the intention of running down the one
on the right, at the same time protecting himself against the other with
his shield. He had hardly formed his plan when a skilfully aimed arrow
hit his shield and fell to the earth. His practised eye saw that it came
from the right side. All that he had now to fear was the other enemy
with his keen scymitar. He must dispose of him before the archer had
time to place another arrow. In an instant he was upon him, ran his
lance into his breast and threw him from his horse. The animal struggled
and pranced about so furiously that the archer was confused and his
arrow flew wide of its mark. The prospect of victory encouraged our
young hero. Emboldened by the success of his first onset, and expecting
to be attacked at any instant by the enemy in his rear, he swiftly
turned, levelled his lance, and rushed upon his enemy. The Turk was
ready for the attack, but as he had no means of protecting himself
against the thrust of the lance, he dodged aside. The lance struck a
tree near by with such force that it was broken in two. The Turk’s eyes
glistened with fiendish delight like those of a hyena. He swung his
scymitar above Raymond’s head with the intention of severing it at a
blow. The Turk’s dexterity with this weapon made the situation extremely
dangerous for our friend. He seized his shattered lance, however, and
hurled it with such force that it averted the scymitar from its course
and knocked his enemy’s turban off. The Turk was furious with rage, but
Raymond was cool. He drew his sword and like a flash smote the Turk’s
uncovered head. A dark stream of blood gushed forth, and a muttered
“Giaour”[29] escaped from his lips, as he fell from his steed dead.
Raymond now fully realized the danger of the position he had been in,
and his victory seemed almost miraculous. Alarmed by his experience and
dreading new dangers, he urged his horse to swifter flight. Danger was
more imminent on those broad moonlit plains; for his enemies, who had
been swarming round him in the mountains, would certainly betake
themselves to the open country as a more favorable spot for their
operations and more likely to result in his capture, as their horses
were fresh and well fed. The cowardly thought of avoiding battle,
however and whenever it might come, never occurred to him; indeed, for
an instant, he was inclined to halt and face his pursuers. His better
judgment, however, told him this would be a mistake, for in that case he
might fail to accomplish his purpose of reaching the army and delivering
his message. He reflected that the lives of thousands hung upon his
success, and among these thousands was the noble Emperor and hero, the
flower of chivalry. So he still rushed on, for horse and rider were
unwearied. Two hours later they skirted a dark forest, shadowed by a
mountain range, the last he would have to cross, for upon its other side
were the army’s outposts, and thence the road led straight to the
Emperor’s camp. The road here was not so rough as that where he had made
such a fortunate escape. It wound through gently rolling foothills, and
was seldom stony, the most of it being covered with a soft, springy
turf, upon which his horse’s hoofs made but little noise. While his
progress was easier and swifter, still it was to be taken into account
that horsemen could approach him on every side and that his pursuers had
no obstacles in their way.
The nature of the locality made it more difficult to find the way in
some places than it was in the mountain region, where the wild torrents
which dashed from the rocks in the rainy season left dry beds which
could be used as pathways. The dense foliage of the trees also hardly
allowed the moonlight to penetrate it, and more than once Raymond was in
doubt whether he was on the right road. He tried other directions
several times but this invariably made his horse restless and
ungovernable. At last he decided to let it take its own way, for he was
well aware that the horse is often the surest guide. The noble animal
must have travelled that way many times while he himself was going over
it for the first time, and besides this he had but little time to study
his way. Stroking his horse, who had already become very dear to him, as
if to compensate him for the injustice done to his sagacity, he let him
choose his own way. As it no longer seemed necessary to make such great
haste he rode more quietly and found by the position of the moon, which
at times peeped through openings in the trees, that he was now riding in
the right direction to reach the end of his journey.
[Illustration: _Raymond’s Ride_]
As Raymond slowly climbed the heights and grew calmer, he almost forgot
all dangers, for he felt he was near his friends and supposed that his
wearied enemies would not risk a near approach to their still formidable
opponents in the camp by daylight. He actually imagined that he saw the
white tents of the Christians glistening in the moonlight, where
treeless vistas admitted an open view. His heart leaped for joy as he
reflected that he was bringing consolation and encouragement to so many
thousands, and a tear stood in his eyes as he thought of their suffering
and fancied the joyful impression his news would make. He pursued his
way almost carelessly. He was nearing the end of his journey and gave
little heed to his surroundings. It is not singular, therefore, that he
was alarmed by a sudden noise. Looking back he saw that he was followed.
He thought that three horsemen, riding furiously, were seeking to
overtake him, hoping to capture him by surprise rather than by attack.
Raymond slackened his pace an instant to ascertain the real nature of
his danger and the best means of avoiding it. It was impossible for him
to make a successful resistance, for even should he escape their arrows
he must have a hand-to-hand contest, one against three, and give up as
soon as he was surrounded by them. He was all the more helpless against
numbers as he had lost his lance and had only his sword for protection.
Flight was his only alternative, and he felt sure that once out of
arrow-shot he would escape.
Throwing his shield across his back he urged his horse to its greatest
speed. It shot away like an arrow. The hanging boughs of the trees often
brushed his face and he repeatedly crashed through thickets of dense
bushes, which snapped and broke. It was like the magic wild hunt for the
slender, swift stag of the forest, so quiet were the hoof-beats.
Notwithstanding all the efforts of his noble steed he gained no
advantage over his pursuers. In an incredibly short time they approached
him at the foot of the range. Raymond could see no trace of the camp,
not even a sentry. Had he been deceived when he thought he saw the
tents? Were his friends still farther away than he had supposed? What if
his pursuers should be taking different routes to head him off? Looking
around with hasty glance he noticed that only two were now following
him. He had been carefully instructed by his father not to act upon
guesswork but to have a fixed course always in view for an emergency. He
decided to give battle only as a last resort, but he was determined that
two of them should die before he lost his life. Saying to himself “With
God’s help, I will win,” he rode on.
He soon realized that the distance between himself and his pursuers was
lessening. One of the latter must have noticed it also, for he had taken
his bow and was holding an arrow in his right hand. Raymond felt a
terrible apprehension that he might be killed almost at the goal he was
striving to reach. The road now turned a little to the left and caution
was still more necessary. An arrow grazed his face. Had his horse made
its last step an instant sooner or an inch farther, he might have fallen
and been trampled upon. He had hardly time to realize this, however,
when a Turk with fiercely gleaming eyes rode out of the thickets.
Swinging his scymitar he confronted Raymond, who met him with his sword.
The horses came together at such furious speed that the Turk was thrown,
and Raymond’s steed came down upon his knees. He was down for an instant
only, for his rider helped him to his feet with a stout pull and he at
once dashed on, while the Turk’s horse was panting and snorting,
evidently as much enraged as his master, who sent curses after Raymond
as he rode along exultantly.
Suddenly a halberdier confronted him. His horse stopped so quickly that
Raymond was nearly thrown. It was a foot-soldier of the Emperor’s army
and at his call several others came up. How grateful that call in the
dear mother tongue sounded! His only thought was, “Saved, saved.” He
made himself known, pointed to his enemies, who shot their arrows and
shouted curses at them, and then took themselves off.
Raymond explained to the outposts the nature of his mission in a few
words. Then he inquired the shortest way to the Emperor’s tent, and as
he hurried on his way to it the warriors’ eyes beamed with joy and their
lips uttered thanksgivings. Raymond’s message was received with general
exultation. The warriors rushed up to him, caressed and kissed him, and
could hardly find words to express their joy. Weariness and despondency
vanished. The shout, “Forward, forward,” resounded everywhere. After
hearing Raymond’s report, to the great delight of all, the Emperor
issued the order to move. Tents were struck at once, and the advance,
led by Raymond, plunged into the darkness of the forest, while the rest
followed as eagerly as if on the way to some richly appointed banquet.
Though the fresh night air lessened their fatigue somewhat, it was still
very great. The tired soldiers, little refreshed by their short sleep,
dragged themselves along with much effort. It was so dark they could not
distinguish the rough places in the road. Their weary feet continually
slipped and those on foot repeatedly fell, while horses stumbled over
roots of trees and other obstacles. The farther they went the more
unmistakable were the evidences that the Turks were aware of their
movements and were on the alert themselves. Those in the advance had to
look out for themselves as best they could, but even after the utmost
precautions many horses were badly wounded and some of the poorly
protected foot-soldiers were killed.
The real fighting began when the first valley was reached. The knights
fought with all their remaining strength, and many a Turk, brought to
bay, was slain. They entered the narrow pass, where Raymond had made his
victorious fight, with grave apprehensions. The Turks in small bands
disputed every inch of the ground with dogged pertinacity, while others
concealed behind rocks and thickets, sent showers of arrows into their
ranks. The knights in the advance protected themselves with their
shields; but the arrows fell like hail into the dense mass of those
behind them, and it was only here and there that they escaped injury by
holding their halberds obliquely. Most of the arrows, however, reached
the mark only too surely. They hugged the rocky walls upon which the
enemy were standing, as closely as possible, and held up broken branches
for their protection. Many of those who neglected such precautions were
wounded.
As morning dawned, their danger increased, for now they were clearly
exposed to the assaults of the continually increasing enemy. Many of the
Christians wrung their hands in despair, bewailed their apparent fate,
and implored God to save them. Just as the last hope of rescue seemed to
vanish, a band of the enemy suddenly halted in their front and appeared
to be making a hurried inspection of the mountain sides. Almost
immediately they rode at full speed to the outlet of the pass and
disappeared. The Crusaders were astonished by this movement, and feared
some new trick on the enemy’s part; but Raymond joyfully assured them
they were nearing the end, and that assistance was certainly on the way.
His assurances revived their hopes. They advanced at a quicker pace, and
had hardly gone a hundred yards before they found the Turks in battle
with the Germans. At a sign from their leader the knights in front
levelled their lances and charged upon the enemy, who, finding
themselves assailed on two sides, gave way at the first onset. The
exhausted warriors exulted when they saw them in flight, and a moment
later father and son were in each other’s arms; for it was Conrad who
had come to the rescue. After consultation between the leaders it was
decided to keep at a safe distance until they had time to rest, after
which they would consult the Emperor and decide upon their future
operations. When told of the dangers to which the Crusaders were exposed
in that mountain region, Conrad determined to send a force, as soon as
all were rested, and clear it of the enemy.
My young readers already know the impression which that beautiful valley
made upon the vanguard. It was all the greater upon the army, whose joy
was boundless. Troop after troop poured out of the pass. The wide plain
was soon crowded with the entire German force. The banks of the stream
were densely lined with horses and men, and it was a long time before
the last of the army emerged. Finally the Emperor appeared, surrounded
by the bravest of his army. He had personally directed every movement
for the protection of his men, and refused to rest until the last one
had safely reached the valley. Enthusiastic shouts of welcome greeted
them, which the mountains reëchoed, announcing to the Turks that the
courage of the Christian host was still unbroken.
Gnashing their teeth with rage, the Turks disappeared like ghostly
shadows among the mountains which separated the two armies.