There was a general exclamation of treason, and Austria, nearest
to whom Saladin stood with the bloody sabre in his hand, started
back as if apprehensive that his turn was to come next. Richard
and others laid hand on their swords.
"Fear nothing, noble Austria," said Saladin, as composedly as if
nothing had happened,--"nor you, royal England, be wroth at what
you have seen. Not for his manifold treasons--not for the
attempt which, as may be vouched by his own squire, he instigated
against King Richard's life--not that he pursued the Prince of
Scotland and myself in the desert, reducing us to save our lives
by the speed of our horses--not that he had stirred up the
Maronites to attack us upon this very occasion, had I not brought
up unexpectedly so many Arabs as rendered the scheme abortive--
not for any or all of these crimes does he now lie there,
although each were deserving such a doom--but because, scarce
half an hour ere he polluted our presence, as the simoom
empoisons the atmosphere, he poniarded his comrade and
accomplice, Conrade of Montserrat, lest he should confess the
infamous plots in which they had both been engaged.
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