"Thou tellest me wonders."

"Through the forest--and in the fortress,--through the wildest
solitudes,--through the most populous towns,--have my comrades borne
this silver wand unmolested and unscathed; wherever we pass along,
thousands hail us, and tears of joy bless the messengers of him who
hath expelled the brigand from his hold, the tyrant from his castle, and
ensured the gains of the merchant and the hut of the peasant."

"Pardieu," said Montreal, with a stern smile, "I ought to be thankful
for the preference shown to me; I have not yet received the commands,
nor felt the vengeance, of the Tribune; yet, methinks, my humble castle
lies just within the patrimony of St. Peter."

"Pardon me, Signor Cavalier," said the youth; "but do I address the
renowned Knight of St. John, warrior of the Cross, yet leader of
banditti?"

"Boy, you are bold; I am Walter de Montreal."

"I am bound, then, Sir Knight, to your castle."

"Take care how thou reach it before me, or thou standest a fair chance
of a quick exit. How now, my friends!" seeing that the crowd at these
words gathered closer round the messenger, "Think ye that I, who have
my mate in kings, would find a victim in an unarmed boy? Fie! give
way--give way. Young man, follow me homeward; you are safe in my castle
as in your mother's arms." So saying, Montreal, with great dignity
and deliberate gravity, rode slowly towards his castle, his soldiers,
wondering, at a little distance, and the white-robed messenger following