Boulag Akasir had by this time come to the environs of Bordeaux and was
threatening that city. He established his camp a short distance away,
his army consisting of twenty thousand troops, and feeling sure of
victory, commenced at once to devastate the suburbs.
These exciting events, while they in a measure diverted Maugis from
his perplexity and gloom by appealing to his warlike spirit, by no
means lightened the intense depression. The coldness of Yolande and
her inexplicable aversion and avoidance of him were maddening. Do what
he would, she would not meet him and a note that he addressed to her
demanding the reason of her strange conduct was returned to him with
the seal unbroken.
Had Maugis been less absorbed by the prospect of being united to
Yolande when he first entered the court of King Yon, he would have seen
among the entourage of the king an evil face that glanced at him in no
friendly way. It was that of a monk, who had but recently arrived from
the north, and whose great learning and piety had gained him almost
instant favor and an influential position in court. This friar, Anselm
Gorieux, was the uncle of the perfidious Ganelon, who was inspired by
bitter hatred and jealousy of Maugis. This monk hated Maugis, as well
on his own account, because in a conflict at wit with Maugis, at a
banquet, the latter had turned the laugh against him and caused his
proud soul to chafe under the humiliation, and to resolve upon the
direst revenge. He had purposely come to the court of King Yon, in the
interest of his nephew, urged by him to seek the ear of Yolande and
prejudice Maugis, persistently hoping that with his rival dethroned
from her favor his own chances might improve, and that he yet might be
able to win her.
The crafty monk found little difficulty in gaining the confidence of
Yolande, to whose fervent religious nature his great piety, humility
and learning at once appealed.
Cautiously, so as not to alarm his timid prey, he held much discourse
with her upon the awful power of the evil one; how he possessed himself
of the souls of those who were willing to barter them for worldly gain.
Then he held up to her, casually, Maugis as such a one; told her that
even an emissary of Satan had abode under his father’s roof, and under
the guise of a learned man of the east had taught the young man the
worst of black arts and sorceries.
The monk told her Maugis had been won over to Satan, had become a
sorcerer, and a practicer of all the foul arts. He showed her how
the great exploits that had made him the hero of the day were simply
manifestations of the evil one to whom he had sold his soul; that his
time of glory was brief, and he, and all who loved him, would finally
rest under the curse of God.
Yolande, as she slowly comprehended these dreadful revelations, was
grief-stricken and dismayed. Her idol was shattered, and although she
concealed the anguish that consumed her heart, she nearly sobbed her
reason away in the quiet of her chamber.
The surprise of Friar Anselm was indeed great at the unexpected
presence of Maugis at the court. He had not looked for this and would
have certainly devoted himself to prejudicing the king also, only the
exciting events then occurring gave him no opportunity.
Meanwhile a force of the Saracens was devastating the suburbs of
Bordeaux, and the alarm caused by this movement spread quickly.
Maugis, to observe for himself the operations, mounted the walls, and
his trained eye saw at once it was only a small part of the main army
of the enemy who were making the attack. He then advised his brothers
and his cousin Renaud to arm and place themselves in readiness at the
head of their men. Arming himself also he hastened to the king.
He gave King Yon the assurance that the advance guard of the enemy
would be destroyed, and having accomplished that he would attack the
main army, he and his brothers, and that they would drive him from the
field. He recommended the king to hold himself in readiness to come to
their succor if it should be required. As he left the royal presence he
cast one look at Yolande, who stood there pale and proud, but who only
gazed upon him coldly. He little knew that within, and beneath that
forbidding exterior, her gentle heart was surging with love and pity
for him.
A sad heart makes some men more determined, and it was this feeling
that possessed Maugis as he hastened to place himself at the head of
the attacking party.
When he saw the forces of Maugis emerge from the gate of Bordeaux,
Boulag Akasir advanced promptly to meet him. His unvarying successes
had made him arrogant and over-confident, and when he perceived this
small army of King Yon he hoped to capture it. But he counted without
Maugis, who, cool and calm, disposed his troops skillfully and quietly
encouraged his men both by voice and gesture.
At a given signal the troops of Maugis charged upon the enemy with
great vigor, and they being accustomed to conduct just the reverse
from their opponents, stopped, struck with stupor. Boulag Akasir, who
saw at once that it was their chief who had infused that small army
with so much ardor, rushed upon Maugis to fell him, but the latter
skillfully parried the awful blow, which instead laid low a knight of
Bordeaux. Alard, in his turn, attacked the Saracen, but that celebrated
warrior seemed to bear a charmed life and evaded with amazing dexterity
the furious blows aimed at him.
The battle then became general all along the line. The brothers Aymon
were everywhere, and each performed prodigious deeds of valor.
Yolande, breathless with anxiety and almost fainting, witnessed the
bravery of Maugis from the walls, and in her inmost heart could not
believe that such great actions could be inspired by the evil one.
It was now King Yon, who, until this time had remained a spectator,
could no longer resist action, and giving his war-cry, rushed at the
head of his troops to the side of Maugis, and hurled himself upon
the Saracens, taking them completely by surprise. But they resisted
desperately, as Saracens always do, because their religion would never
permit them to fly, and who would stand and even submit to have their
throats cut rather than retreat.
Boulag, seeing his army diminishing every minute, and wishing to
preserve his soldiers for another battle under more favorable auspices,
gave the signal to retreat. But that order was contrary to the law of
Mohammed and his troops executed it very unwillingly.
During this period of hesitation, Maugis, supported by his Cousin
Renaud and his brothers, were creating havoc in the ranks of the
confused enemy, until, finally, becoming panic-stricken, the Saracens
took to flight.
Boulag himself turned his back and fled, with Maugis in pursuit.
The chief of the Saracens was mounted on an Arab horse of great speed,
and Bayard, the magnificent horse of Maugis, had great difficulty in
keeping up with him. But he persistently followed until the chase had
kept up for three hours, and fully thirty miles had been covered at
this terrific pace. The blood of Maugis was up and it was a pursuit of
life and death.
In the meantime every one thought that Maugis was lost. They searched
for him everywhere, but he could not be found. They gave him up for
dead and the whole army uttered cries of sorrow and despair. The three
brothers of Maugis were inconsolable. Supported by her maidens, Yolande
was removed, half-fainting to her chamber. It was in vain King Yon
tried to reassure the brothers.
Renaud, however, who never despaired, assembled two hundred soldiers,
and accompanied by the king and the three brothers, followed in the
tracks of the pursuer and pursued.
[Illustration: OLD SPANISH HOUSES.]
Meanwhile, Maugis had caught up with Boulag Akasir, who, trembling at
the persistence of the pursuit, and infuriated withal, saw that he
could not escape defending himself, and suddenly turned and struck at
Maugis with his lance. Quick as the movement was, Maugis luckily saw
it and with consummate skill parried the blow with such force that the
weapon of Boulag was shivered in pieces over his shield. Profiting
by the momentary stupefaction of his enemy, Maugis felled the horse
of the Saracen to the ground, stunned by a blow of his sword. Boulag
was himself stunned, but quickly arose to his feet and faced Maugis.
He, however, with true chivalry, would not take advantage of his
position, but descended from his own horse to do battle with him on
equal footing, even courteously waiting for his opponent to recover his
breath.
Then there commenced a terrible conflict, a duel to the death, in which
the furious strokes and parryings followed each other with lightning
rapidity. But the brave Boulag finally fell to the earth sore wounded.
In an instant Maugis was upon him and was about to give him a finishing
stroke, when Boulag cried: “Grace! I pray thee!”
“Dog of an infidel,” replied Maugis, “thou doest well to crave mercy,
thou who hast never given!”
“Sir knight,” pleaded Boulag, “I will give thee anything thou mayst ask
of me, so long as my life be spared.”
“No!” answered Maugis, “I will take nothing from thee, but thou art
brave and I will accord thee life only on one condition. That is that
you abjure thy religion of Mohammed and become converted to mine.”
“I accept thy terms,” cried Boulag, “the more willing because I never
have been a firm believer in Mohammed.”
Then regaining his feet he tendered his sword to Maugis, but Maugis
generously refused to take it from him.
They then mounted horse and set out for Bordeaux. Maugis, with his
prisoner, giving thanks that he had been able to exterminate the army
of the Saracens.
Thus the conqueror and the conquered were quietly pursuing their way
to the city, whiling the time in conversation on religion and other
topics, when they were met unexpectedly by King Yon and his suite.
Thereupon there was a most happy meeting between Maugis, his three
brothers and his Cousin Renaud.
“Sire,” then said Maugis, “I deliver up to thee Boulag Akasir, who
has delivered himself into my hands and hath abjured his religion to
be henceforth a Christian. I pray thee grant him all the regard due a
brave knight.”
“Brave knight!” exclaimed the king to Maugis, “I should ill, indeed,
requite thee, savior of my kingdom, did I other than thou desirest
with this mighty warrior. So be it. He shall be presented to our court
with a dignity becoming his rank, and the past shall be forgotten.”
In the excess of his gratitude. King Yon further insisted on dividing
his kingdom into three parts. One to be given Maugis, one to the three
brothers and Renaud, and the remaining portion to the army.
Maugis would not hear of this and was inflexible in his refusal to
accept.
King Yon was much disconcerted by the declination of Maugis to accept
any reward, and casting about in his mind for some delicate way to
reward him for his inestimable services, the thought came of offering
him the hand of his beautiful sister. He could think of no greater
way of showing his regard, but at the time he remained silent on the
subject.
Boulag, having in due form been made a Christian, was longing ardently
to return to his native land. He appealed to the tender-hearted Yolande
to secure him this boon. She willingly undertook to do so, and pleaded
his cause so earnestly with the king that the request was granted,
provided he paid to Maugis a ransom; the king courteously pretending to
conduct the negotiations in the name of Maugis. The king, agreeable to
the proposition of Boulag himself, fixed the ransom at six mule-loads
of gold and that he also abandon Toulouse, and the country thereabouts.
Having thus been freed, Boulag, accompanied by some faithful servitors,
departed for his own land.
Yon, who had now become richer and more powerful than ever, tried to
induce Maugis to accept entire the ransom of Boulag, but he again
refused, praying the king to reserve his bounty until the day came when
he should demand his services.
That day was very soon in presenting itself.
The war being concluded, and Boulag having departed with his followers
from the territories of King Yon, there remained little for Maugis, his
three brothers and Renaud to do, but ride about the country and pursue
the chase.
One day Maugis, followed by his companions, were riding out when a view
burst upon their eyes that caused them, as if moved by one impulse,
to stop. They were riding on the banks of the Dordogne. The eyes of
Maugis were fixed upon a mountain on the other side of the river which,
surrounded by beautiful plains, rose high into the blue sky. Easy of
access, while perfect for defense, its top presented a fine level
surface upon which to build.
This site suggested to Maugis an idea he had long entertained. Said he:
“Montfort no longer exists, but we can easily replace it if we choose.
Here is a situation which combines all the necessary conditions of
impregnability, and here we could brave the anger of Charlemagne.”
His companions being equally impressed in favor of this idea, the five
gave the place a most careful examination, and on their return to the
court they sought the royal presence, and Maugis said: “Sire, we are
homeless and would make for ourselves an abiding place. We have found
a certain mountain near the river Dordogne, on which we could build a
château, if we have thy royal favor.”
King Yon, anxious to reward the great services of the brave knights,
was about to give his consent when the crafty monk, Gorieux, stepped to
his side and whispered in his ear:
“Sire! I pray thee have a care. Dost want the wrath of Charlemagne to
descend on thee, then harbor these outlaws, for such they be, and no
sooner shall the emperor learn that thou hast housed them and enriched
them than thy peace, and perhaps thy life, will be jeopardized.”
At these words the king only frowned and replied: “Dost suppose the
fear of any such consequences will deter me from rewarding these brave
men who have saved me my kingdom and my very life?” and turning to
the five knights he not only gave them the mountain, but besides,
authorized them to construct a château upon it, and gave them likewise
all the land that surrounded it.
Such a great favor as this did not fail to create jealousy among
certain of his courtiers. One of his peers, who was in love with the
beautiful Yolande, and who had been jealous of Maugis ever since
his arrival, could not support the idea of this being carried out
without an attempt to discourage the king from making a false move. He
therefore remarked:
“Sire! without doubt these brave knights are masters of the situation,
but is it wise or for thy well being to support and nourish a foreign
force at thy door, whom chance might make thy master, or is it wise to
support these men in all their exigencies? Reward them well and suffer
them to depart.”
The king, however, was not to be moved, and appealing to Maugis, said:
“Sir knight! if I grant thee this favor it would be well we should know
what to expect from thee on thy part, for in so doing I put myself at
thy mercy in a certain sense, but,” continued the king, “I have every
confidence and I believe you will never abuse it.”
In reply the five knights kneeled before the king, kissed his hand and
then swore eternal fidelity.
The brothers and Maugis were not long in commencing the work and the
fortress was rapidly constructed. The fortifications were made truly
formidable, and the mountain bestrewn with heavy walls and towers to
protect the principal works, which in due time were finished.
Maugis and Renaud prayed that King Yon would come and baptize the
new fortress, an invitation which he courteously accepted, and the
imposing ceremonies were attended by all the court. Maugis, however,
observed with a sad heart the absence of Yolande. His mind was torn
with various doubts and conjectures to account for the strange conduct
of the princess, and he resolved at the first opportunity to seek an
interview and demand an explanation.
The fortress was named Montaubon, and Maugis then sent to all the
surrounding country and caused to be published an edict of the king,
that whosoever would take service under Maugis in the new city would be
granted six years freedom.[1]
[Footnote 1: In those feudal days the common people were in a condition
of serfdom, little better than slavery.]
This had the effect of rapidly filling the new city with inhabitants,
and soon Maugis, Renaud and the three brothers took possession of their
new domain.
Meanwhile the complaints of the discontented courtiers grew louder
and deeper, and rumors of the alliance of Maugis with the evil one,
cautiously spread by the crafty monk, flew from lip to lip, until
reaching the ears of Maugis, caused him to become aware of the
seriousness of the position and the impending liability of his falling
under the displeasure of the king. Active steps must at once be taken,
and he, who had never a thought of breaking his oath, at once renewed
his oath of fidelity.
The council of state was convened when he presented himself, and he
took the occasion to face his accusers and demand of the discontented
to formulate their complaints to his face, and that he would
satisfactorily explain anything that could be offered.
Then spoke Adelbert Leon de Bayonne: “Sire!” said he, “it doubtless be
true this knight hast rendered thee great service and it is fitting
thou should reward him, but thou art not called upon to abandon all
caution and deliver thyself into his power. He is now installed in a
strong fortress, and with a powerful army in the midst of thy kingdom
thou hast placed him in a position of power over thee.”
“And what else be there to my disfavor?” demanded Maugis.
“Sire!” said Gorieux, the monk, “there is much reason for believing
this knight hath given himself into the service of the evil one. It
is well known that he, in his tender youth, hath been in the power of
a learned magician of the East, a worker of evil, a follower of the
evil arts, a minion of Satan, who hath instilled into him much magical
knowledge, and hath persuaded him to give his soul up to Satan.”
A dark frown overspread the face of Maugis at these words, but he
controlled himself.
“Are there others who would accuse me?” he demanded, fixing his stern
gaze on the assembled courtiers.
Silence was the only reply, and stepping forward, Maugis said
impressively: “Sire! if it be true that I am in the service of Satan,
how ill hath he requited me? I am persecuted by the emperor, attacked,
pursued, hunted and banished from my home. It is true, a learned pundit
from the East, a good and holy man, though his beliefs were not our
beliefs, was my tutor. It is true he taught me much of occult things,
but only relating to the laws of nature, which are as an open book to
the wise of the Orient. It is true that this knowledge of the mysteries
of nature, when I seek to direct them to my use, would give me certain
powers over men, and it is true that this noble, wise man died blessing
those who had saved him from death and counseling me ever to be true to
my faith and my honor. Callest thou this noble philosopher a minion of
evil? Can any man say here aught but that in battle I have relied on
any occult aid other than this good sword and my strong arm? Or, if I
be a follower of the evil one, why should I seek to make Boulag Akasir
a Christian?”
These brave and candid words made a deep impression on the council.
“More, sire!” continued Maugis, “I stand now ready to swear my fealty
to my God and his saints and to never henceforth on any occasion seek
to use my occult powers; to utterly abandon and to never recall them.
As to my fidelity to your majesty, my brothers and myself have given
our word, and you all know we are incapable of breaking it. If thou
knowest of any other means whereby we can reassure you, be pleased to
indicate them and we will accept them.”
The fairness, the candor, and the noble bearing of Maugis convinced the
king of his sincerity, and even those who hated the brave knight were
conquered though not changed.
The council then broke up, the king retiring with Godefroy de Moulin,
his counselor, promising to consider the matter and soon give his
decision.