“That is a fearsome sight,” Cnut said, crossing himself.

“It looks as if it was the mouth of purgatory,” exclaimed another, standing by.

Cuthbert himself was amazed, for the instruction he had received from Father Francis was of too slight a nature to include the story of volcanoes.  A priest, however, who accompanied the ship in the character of leech and confessor, explained the nature of the phenomenon to his astonished listeners, and told them that over on the mainland was a mountain which at times vomited forth such masses of stones and of liquid rock that it had swallowed up and covered many great cities.  There was also, he told them, another mountain of the same sort, even more vast, on the island of Sicily itself; but that this had seldom, as far back as man could remember, done any great harm.

Sailing on, in another day they arrived off the coast of Sicily itself, and sailing up the straits between it and the mainland they landed at Messina.  Here a considerable portion of the French army had already arrived, having been brought down from Genoa.

There was no news of the King of England; and, as often happens, the saying “The more haste the less speed,” had been verified here.

It was some days later before King Richard arrived, having been driven from his course by tempests, well-nigh cast ashore, and having besides gone through many adventures.  Three weeks later the whole of the army of the Crusaders were gathered around Messina, where it was intended to remain some little time before starting.  It was a gay time; and the kings vied with each other in entertainments, joustings, and tournaments.  The Italian knights also made a brave show, and it might have been thought that this huge army of men were gathered there simply for amusement and feasting.  In the tournaments every effort was made to prevent any feeling of national rivalry, and although parties of knights held their own against all comers, these were most carefully selected to represent several nationalities, and therefore victory, on whichsoever side it fell, excited no feelings of bitterness.

Alone, King Richard was undoubtedly the strongest cavalier of the two armies.  Against his ponderous strength no knight could keep his seat; and this was so palpable that after many victories King Richard was forced to retire from the lists from want of competitors, and to take his place on the dais with the more peace-loving King of France.

The gayety of the camp was heightened by the arrival of many nobles and dames from Italy.  Here, too, came the Queen of Navarre, bringing with her the beautiful Princess Berengaria.

“Methinks,” the Earl of Evesham said to Cuthbert a fortnight after the arrival of the queen “that unless my eyes deceive me the princess is likely to be a cause of trouble.”

“In what way?” asked Cuthbert with surprise, for he had been struck with her marvelous beauty, and wondered greatly what mischief so fair a being could do.