But in the
last encounter the Saracen had lost his sword and his quiver of
arrows, both of which were attached to the girdle which he was
obliged to abandon. He had also lost his turban in the struggle.
These disadvantages seemed to incline the Moslem to a truce. He
approached the Christian with his right hand extended, but no
longer in a menacing attitude.
"There is truce betwixt our nations," he said, in the lingua
franca commonly used for the purpose of communication with the
Crusaders; "wherefore should there be war betwixt thee and me?
Let there be peace betwixt us."
"I am well contented," answered he of the Couchant Leopard; "but
what security dost thou offer that thou wilt observe the truce?"
"The word of a follower of the Prophet was never broken,"
answered the Emir. "It is thou, brave Nazarene, from whom I
should demand security, did I not know that treason seldom dwells
with courage."
The Crusader felt that the confidence of the Moslem made him
ashamed of his own doubts.
"By the cross of my sword," he said, laying his hand on the
weapon as he spoke, "I will be true companion to thee, Saracen,
while our fortune wills that we remain in company together.
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