CHAPTER XVII.

Some days after the departure of Maugis, Duke Richard de Normandie presented to Charlemagne the three brothers of Maugis, who remained in France. The emperor received them kindly and restored to their possession all their rights and property. During the same month the camp was broken up, and the imperial army marched to the city of Liege, which became for the time the capital for the empire.

Meanwhile, Maugis, habited as a pilgrim, convinced himself that the occult knowledge he possessed and had reluctantly used when pursued to the last extremity by Charlemagne, was the gift of Satan, rather than the strange manifestations of natural laws, whose workings were unknown at this period, except to the occult wisdom of the East, had determined to abandon all warlike actions, and by devoting himself to prayer and meditation, seek atonement in them for the terrible faults against God he had committed; but this was not to be, as events subsequently proved.

Having at last arrived in view of the holy city, Jerusalem, then in possession of the infidels, and before which the Christian army was encamped, laying siege thereto—an army composed of noble knights, assembled from all parts of Europe, who thought that they had been called to redeem the sacred city from the sacrilegious possession of the Saracens, to the glory of God, and the insurance of their own souls to an eternity in Paradise.

The first occupation of Maugis was to prepare himself an humble abode in a secluded spot within view of the holy city, where he could give himself up to prayer and meditation undisturbed.

It chanced one day, that on going to a spring nearby to procure water, he encountered a Christian knight, who studied his face with interest for a long time and then said to him:

“Permit me, holy father, if I be not committing an indiscretion, to ask who you are; something tells me that beneath that sacred habit you are hiding a brave warrior; as for myself, I am the Comte de Rance.”

“My lord,” responded Maugis, “while I have no motive for hiding my name, I must have your word that the disclosure I make shall be in confidence. I am Maugis of Montaubon, eldest son of the Duke d’Aymon. I had incurred the anger of Charlemagne in keeping a neutrality in a war between him and my relative. For that reason he pursued me from that day, without ceasing, until recently we made peace, when he pardoned my brothers and all my relatives, on the condition that I should leave for the holy land, making the pilgrimage to expiate my faults and the promise that I would stay until he recalled me.”

At these words Count de Rance sprang from his horse, and falling on his knee before him, said:

“By thy deeds, sir knight, thou hast proved thyself to be one of the most noble men the world hath known. Surely thy duty to God at this most critical juncture in our affairs, when our arms against the Saracens seem to prevail not, lies not in prayer, but in warlike deeds, which thou hast proved thyself so fitted to perform. I tender thee my homage and faith and supplicate thee to command me and mine. There be other noble knights who will gladly accept thy leadership.”

To this Maugis agreed, and accompanied the count to the camp of the Christian army, where being made known, the noble knights on all sides hastened to greet him, and followed the example of the Count de Rance in paying him homage and tendering him unanimously command of all their forces, and offered him the privilege of sharing in the booty already captured from the enemy. This latter proposition, however, Maugis declined to accept, taking only a horse and arms and armor.

The next day grand _fêtes_ were celebrated in honor of the advent of the new commander, and these being concluded, they proceeded to dispose their forces for a new activity against the infidels.

At a council of war then held, Maugis arranged a plan to lure their foes out of the city by causing them to think the Crusaders had raised the siege and were abandoning their camp. All these strategic preparations were made with the greatest silence and secrecy.

At daybreak the following day the Saracens beheld the retreat, and thinking the camp abandoned, duly commenced to march out. They were only allowed to advance to a point where their retreat could be readily cut off. Maugis had secretly sent a number of troops, in command of the Count de Rance, under the walls of the city, with instructions to cut the enemy to pieces when they attempted to re-enter.

When the proper moment arrived, Maugis turned and hurled the main body of troops upon the enemy so unexpectedly as to carry terror and dismay into their ranks. They would have retreated, but it was in vain; the Count de Rance appeared in their rear and prevented their entering the city. The battle then waxed furious on both sides. The chief of the Saracens at the head of his soldiers, fighting desperately, showed the greatest valor, but Maugis was everywhere, and pushed his troops forward in a manner that rendered useless all efforts of the enemy to escape.

The Count de Rance then unmasked the gate, and falling upon their rear, cut them to pieces, profiting at the moment when the Saracens were flying in retreat.

Their chief had been taken prisoner, when the inhabitants of Jerusalem came to the rescue of the infidels by opening a gate which had escaped the observations of the Crusaders. The pursuers would have followed the fugitives into the city, but it was too late. The gates were closed upon them, and it was in vain that they endeavored to force them. By this time the walls swarmed with the soldiers of the infidel. Maugis, however, would not give up, now that his troops were enthused by the victory, and caused a heavy timber to be brought, which was hurled with all the force that twenty men could bring to bear against the gate, regardless of the destruction wrought upon them by the enemy on the walls above. When men were stricken down at the battering ram, new ones came forward to take their places, and at last the gates having yielded, the knights and soldiers victoriously penetrated the city, slaying all whom they encountered on the way.

All resistance now being hopeless, the principal citizens, reduced to the last extremity, appeared before Maugis, and yielded up to him everything and supplicated him for an armistice, and he accorded them a two days’ truce, pending the ratification of a definitive treaty of peace.

When this news went abroad among the people they with one accord gave thanks to Maugis. The ancient city, which had been in a state of fear and consternation, now resounded with cries of joy. They would have Maugis occupy the palace and become ruler of the city, but he refused to do so, preferring his humble abode for all the luxury of the infidels.

Maugis remained in Jerusalem only sufficient time to establish order and provide for the safeguard of the people from the infidels, and then concluded a definite treaty of peace with the latter. Laying aside his arms, and assuming once more the habit of a pilgrim, he retired to his hermitage.

The story of the exploits of Maugis was not slow in reaching France, and caused the emperor to marvel greatly at the deeds of the brave man, and resolving that he had lived long enough away from his family, he sent at once a messenger to him, bidding him to return to Montaubon, that he had completely pardoned him, and was anxious to see him once more.

Maugis, on receiving this message, would not remain a day longer than possible on that strange soil. He embarked on a magnificent vessel, presented by the King of Jerusalem, having been given many valuable presents, and set sail homeward. Alas! fate had in store for him many more vicissitudes; his fond hopes to be again in the midst of his family were to be denied.

At first the voyage was prosperous, but at last they were attacked by pirates in great force, and after being delayed by adverse winds they finally encountered a tempest and nearly wrecked. They at last landed at Palermo, on the Island of Sicily. There the king received them with honors and gave Maugis a brilliant reception, and would have him remain with him for some time, but Maugis declined.

It was while he was waiting at Palermo, repairing the damage done to his ship by the tempest, and recruiting himself after the rigors of his voyage, that an extraordinary event occurred. A war was declared against the King of Sicily by the Saracens, and before any precaution could be taken a large army landed on his coast. The King of Sicily, not being prepared to meet this great force, was in great fear, but Maugis reassured him that he would disembarrass Sicily of the Saracens, whom he had already defeated in Palestine. The Sicilian army was hastily assembled before Palermo, and Maugis placed himself at its head.

Everything being gotten quickly in readiness, Maugis marched out to meet the Saracens without delay, who, thinking they were marching to surprise their enemy unprepared for the unexpected change in the position, caused by the sudden appearance of the Sicilian army, hesitated, while the Sicilians advanced upon them firmly.

Emiraza, the chief of the infidels, whom Maugis had already defeated at Jerusalem, little thought who he had opposing him once more. He galloped forward to see if he could discover what caused this bold interference with his designs, and when he animated his troops and brought them forward to battle he soon perceived he was to meet with a very stubborn resistance. Seeing a group of knights at the head of the Sicilian army, he charged upon them with his escort. At that instant the cry of “Montaubon!” rang in his ears. He stopped still, trembling, and asked how it was possible that Maugis could be found in Sicily, when it was over five months since he had departed from Palestine to return to France.

Meanwhile, regaining his courage, he continued his charge upon the invincible group of knights, and was repulsed, and Maugis, taking advantage of the confusion this repulse occasioned, threw his forces upon the Saracens and completely routed them. In vain it was the infidels offered a heroic resistance, they were forced to the seashore.

Emiraza, relying upon the swiftness of his horse, reached the shore, plunged into the waves, and sought to gain his galley. When his soldiers, later, were stopped by the sea, they were pressed upon by the victorious Sicilians, until finally they were either killed or made prisoners to the last man.

This victory covered Maugis with more glory than ever. He was complimented by magnificent _fêtes_ and given great honors. The king himself would have him share his crown, but Maugis refused. He had but one thought and that was to go home to his own country; to be reunited with his family was his sole ambition.

After a few days spent in _fêtes_ and rejoicing, Maugis embarked, and after a short and uneventful voyage in due time reached Dordogne, whereupon, being apprised of their arrival, Richard, Alard, and Guichard went forward to meet him.

They were followed by all the nobility of the vicinity. The people formed themselves in a line along the road, and their progress was marked by cheers and acclamations, and with his name in every one’s mouth, Maugis finally arrived at the palace.

His first thought was for his well-beloved wife. He was astonished not to see her among the others. He interrogated his brothers, and they only responded by silence.

“What signifies this silence?” he demanded of them. “Have you yet another misfortune to announce to me? Has Providence again stricken me?”

“You must have courage, my dear Maugis,” responded Alard. “Your noble wife is dead, and died with your name upon her lips. During your absence, and in the failure to receive news of you, everyone thought you dead. Yolande refused to be consoled. Certain noblemen dared to raise their eyes to her, and when they sought to convince her you were no more, she would not hear, and finally one of them took to her a piece of your armor, pretending it to be a relic of your decease. Yolande was deceived by this, and from that day commenced to despair. It was in vain that Charlemagne assured her of your safety, and even a courier was sent to Jerusalem to determine it. Everybody assured her that you were living, but she was death-stricken. She faded in our arms and passed away, dying in the sweet satisfaction that you had not ceased to love her.”

This sorrowful news caused Maugis the most intense anguish. The strongman bowed his head and wept bitterly. He would not be consoled, and calling together his brothers and his sons, he told them he had formed a resolution that he should lose no time in carrying out. Said he:

“I have been blessed with all the triumphs that a man could desire. I have acquired a universal renown. Nothing is wanting for me in honors or glory. Alas! what use is it all to me now, when I have not Yolande to participate in it with me? I was so anxious to be with my family again. I thought that I could spend the rest of my days among you, but she is no more. It is a loss I never can forget; therefore have I taken this resolution: I will quit the world, and retiring to some solitude I will await the day when I can rejoin her.”

It happened that Renaud, the cousin of Maugis, had made a similar resolve previously, to the same effect, and was now in some solitary retreat, having bid adieu to his relatives.

All attempts to change the resolution of Maugis to carry out this plan failed, and he only hesitated when told that he should remain and watch over his children until they had passed the tender age.

It was about this time that the sons of Aymon were apprised of the death of their aged father. The brothers desired Maugis to partition the property equally among them, but he nobly abandoned all to them, not even reserving Montaubon. Then for a long time he devoted his days to the education of his sons. He instructed them himself in all the forms and exercises of knighthood, placing continually before them a noble example to follow. He saw with pleasure that one day his children would fulfill all his hopes in force, in courage, and in honor.

When this noble father felt certain his sons would equal him he took them apart one day and said to them:

“You are no longer children. The time has come when you should be occupied with serious things. Your rank and your duty compels you to consecrate yourselves to your country. Go now to the court, find the Emperor Charlemagne, and pray him to accept you as his knights.”