EASTWARD.
IT was July, as I have intimated, when the ship 'Hilda,' which carried
Walter Espec and Guy Muschamp, left the shores of England; and, soon
after having lost sight of land, both began to experience a little of
that vague fear of 'the blue above and the blue below,' which, in the
thirteenth century, made some of the boldest feudal warriors, when they
embarked, invoke the protection of the saints in Paradise.
'On my faith, good Walter,' remarked Guy, with less than his wonted
gaiety, for the ship was beginning to toss, and he was beginning to feel
rather sea sick, 'I cannot but think that the man is a great fool, who,
having wronged any of his neighbours, or having any mortal sin on his
conscience, puts himself in such peril as this; for, when he goes to
sleep at night, he knows not if in the morning he may not find himself
under the waves.'
'May the saints preserve us from such a fate,' replied Walter,
thoughtfully; 'yet I own I feel so uneasy that I can hardly believe
myself a descendant of the kings of the north who made the ocean their
home, and called the tempest their servant, and never felt so joyous as
when they were treading the pine plank, and giving the reins to their
great sea horses.'
'On my faith,' said Guy, who was every moment becoming more
uncomfortable,'I cannot but marvel much at the eccentricity of their
tastes, and could almost wish myself back to the castle of Wark.'
'Nevertheless,' replied Walter, 'we must bear in mind that, having taken
the Cross and vowed to combat the Saracens, it beseems us not, as
Christians and gentlemen, to look backward.'
At the time when this conversation took place, the sea was comparatively
calm, and the weather most favourable; and the skipper, naturally
overjoyed with his good fortune in both respects, predicted a speedy
voyage. In this, however, he was in some measure disappointed. Many
circumstances occurred to retard the progress of the Saxon Earl and his
companions towards Cyprus; and, what with prolonged calms, and contrary
winds, and foul weather, it was late in autumn ere they neared the
island where the King of France and his chivalry had, for their
misfortune, resolved on passing the winter.
So far all was well, and the Boy Crusaders, now recovered from their
sickness, rejoiced in the anticipation of soon reaching Cyprus. But the
dangers of the voyage were not yet over, and one evening, about vespers,
while Walter and Guy were regaling their imaginations with the prospect
of being speedily in the company of the warriors of France, the mariners
found that they were unpleasantly close to a great mountain of Barbary.
Not relishing their position--for they had the fear of the Saracens of
Barbary before their eyes--the mariners pressed on, and during the night
made all the sail they could, and flattered themselves that they had run
at least fifty leagues. But what was their surprise when day broke, to
find that they were still off the mountain which they fancied they must
have left behind. Great, moreover, was their alarm as they thought of
the piratical natives; and, albeit they laboured hard all that day and
all that night to make sail, when the sun rose next morning--it was
Saturday--the mountain, from which they were so anxious to escape, was
still near at hand. All on board expressed their alarm on discovering
that the mariners deemed their position perilous; and the Earl, on
learning how matters stood, appeared on deck, and summoned the master of
the ship.
'In wonder's name, skipper,' said he, sternly, 'how happens this?'
'In truth, my lord earl,' replied the skipper, much perplexed, 'I cannot
tell how it happens; but this I know, that we all run great risk of our
lives.'
'In what way?'
'From the Saracens of Barbary, who are cruel and savage, and who are as
likely as not to come down in swarms and attack us.'
The idea of captivity and chains occurred to every one who listened, and
even the Earl changed countenance. At that moment, however, one of the
chaplains stepped forward. He was a discreet churchman, and his words
were ever treated with high respect.
'My lord earl and gentlemen,' said the chaplain; 'I never remember any
distress in our parish, either from too much abundance or from want of
rain, or from any other plague, but that God delivered us from it, and
caused everything to happen as well as could have been wished, when a
procession had been made three times with devotion on a Saturday.'
'Wherefore,' suggested the Earl, 'you would have us do likewise, as
deeming the ceremony likely to deliver us from our peril?'
'Even so,' continued the churchman. 'I recommend, noble Earl, that, as
this day is Saturday, we instantly commence walking in procession round
the masts of the ship.'
'By all means,' replied the Earl, 'let us forthwith walk in procession
as you recommend. Worse than foolish would it be on our parts to neglect
such a ceremony. A simple remedy, on my faith, for such an evil.'
Accordingly, the skipper issued orders through the ship; and all on
board were assembled on deck, and, headed by the priests, solemnly
walked in procession round the masts, singing as they walked; and,
however it came to pass, the ceremony seemed to have the effect which
the chaplain had prognosticated. From that moment everything went
smoothly. Almost immediately afterwards they lost sight of the mountain,
and cast all fear of the Saracens of Barbary to the winds; and ere long
they had the gratification of hearing the cry of 'Land,' and of seeing
before their eyes the far-famed island of Cyprus.
It was latest autumn, however; and Cyprus did not look by any means so
bright and beautiful as the Boy Crusaders had, during the voyage,
anticipated. Indeed, clouds rested over the range of mountains that
intersects the island lengthways. The rain had fallen somewhat heavily,
and the aspect of the place was so decidedly dismal and disheartening,
that, as the two squires landed, their countenances expressed much
disappointment.
'Now, by St. John of Beverley,' exclaimed Guy, giving expression to his
feelings, 'I marvel much that this lovely queen, Venus, of whom
minstrels have sung so much, should, when she doubtless had her free
choice as to a residence, have so highly favoured this place.
'Tastes differ,' replied Walter, rather gloomily. 'Certainly, had I my
choice of a residence, I should fix my abode elsewhere.'
'But what have we here?' cried Guy, as he pointed to countless casks of
wine piled high, one on the other, and to huge heaps of wheat, barley,
and other grains, which the purveyors of King Louis had some time before
prepared for his grand enterprise. 'Beshrew me, if, at a distance, I did
not imagine the casks of wine to be houses, and the heaps of corn
mountains.'
'Anyhow,' observed Walter, 'the sight of the wine and the corn should
give us comfort; for it is clear that the King of France, however
saintly, does not forget that men have mouths, nor mean his army to die
of hunger or thirst.'
'On my faith,' said Guy, 'I have a strong desire to catch a glance of
this miracle of saintliness. I marvel if he rides about Cyprus on a
Spanish steed, magnificently harnessed, as chronicles tell of Richard
Coeur de Lion doing, dressed in a tunic of rose-coloured satin, and a
mantle of striped and silver tissue, brocaded with half moons, and a
scarlet bonnet brocaded with gold, and wearing a Damascus blade with a
golden hilt in a silver sheath--oh, what a fine figure the English king
must have cut!'
'However,' said Walter, 'I fancy King Louis is not quite so splendid in
his appearance as Coeur de Lion was. But we shall see him ere long.'
'Ay,' cried Guy; 'we must have a peep at the royal saint. Meanwhile,
good Walter, one thing is certain--that we are in Cyprus.'