“We did not reply; and the conflict which then took place, soon became terrific.  We were almost equal in number, and well armed.  But neither of us had that powder of sulphur and fire which strikes and kills the most valiant, even by the most cowardly hand.

“We, therefore, fought hand to hand; and those of us who only defended ourselves, disabled several men, by the extreme fatigue which we caused them in warding off all their blows.

“I do not know whether the Iron-Hearted perceived this; but toward evening, about sunset, he sounded a retreat.  At that instant, our army, according to our decision, paused, and we thought the conflict was over; but it was only suspended, that Theobald might send me a challenge to fight single-handed.

“I immediately advanced, and heard my brethren say, ’Arnold, may God preserve thee!  We pray for thee!’

“Theobald, with closed visor, approached me.  Our horses neighed, while the two armies each uttered a cry, only a space necessary for the combat being left between them.

“I advanced, and in the profound silence which surrounded us, said aloud to Theobald, ’Jesus has shed his blood for us.  He sees us from heaven; he bids us love one another.  Why, Theobald, will you not hear him?  Why will you shed my blood, and, if you can, take my life?’

“‘Perish the infidels!’ replied the Iron-Hearted, approaching me and brandishing an enormous sword.

“‘Well, then, I am ready for you,’ I exclaimed, drawing down my visor also.  ‘Let God be our judge!’ I will defend myself—­but I will not strike.’

“On saying these words, I held up my shield and fixed myself firmly in the stirrups of my saddle.  We had both laid down our lances, and were armed only with a sword—­mine was still in its scabbard.

“It seemed to me that Theobald trembled, when I spoke to him of the love of Jesus; but as soon as I had raised my shield, he became furious, and seizing his sword with both hands, he urged his horse against mine, and struck me on the head with all his force, so that I was overthrown and my casque cleft by the blow.

“See in this, my father, the hand of God; for it was thus that he saved my life.  When I came to myself, I was in a cottage, in the midst of a wood, and surrounded by three of my brethren, who had transported me thither.  My wound was stanched; I did not suffer much, and my soul was in perfect peace.  I was able to sleep a little towards the latter part of this night—­alas, so fatal for the unfortunate Theobald and his men!”

“To his men also?” asked Gottfried, almost betraying the secret of his heart.

“Ah! the vengeance of our soldiers, I was told, was terrible!  As soon as they saw me fall, they threw themselves furiously upon the enemy.  Theobald, they said, was overwhelmed by numbers and killed in a thick wood, whither he had fled.  His troops were repulsed and routed, and many lives lost; and about midnight a soldier came from one of the chieftains, to tell us that they were about to seize on the fort of Rothenwald.