Gerard did not ride so boldly forth from the
gate, nor did he spur his horse into the freshness
of the morning beyond the city. Rather did he am-
ble soberly at the pace of one who goes unwillingly
upon a disliked errand so that Huon must needs
rein back to company him. And when his brother
laughingly chid him for his snail-like creeping,
Gerard surprised Huon beyond measure with a
breathless answer:
"Brother, I fear me that no good will come to
either of us from this venture. Let us back to Bor-
deaux and that speedily!"
Loud indeed then did Huon laugh, and cry that
his brother was a babe and already crying for his
mother's arms. But Gerard showed no anger at
this taunt. Rather he turned once more and gazed
with great longing at the towers and walls of Bor-
deaux.
"Evil lies before us," he continued. "Aye, great
evil comes of this journey. Last night I did dream
that I rode on this same highway and out of the
bushes there did spring upon us a raging leopard
23
his jaws agape with hunger. Me he did bear to
earth and rend with dripping fangs so that my
soul was driven from my body and I was dead. But
you, my brother, escaped his fury. So plain was
my dream that I do deem it a warning sent from
Heaven that we should not travel on this
wayў" r
But Huon shook his head. "More likely it be an
omen sent by the Devil to tempt us from our duty
to the King, so that we will break our pledged
word. Seeўthis day is fair and the countryside
most good to look upon. Our road is smooth before
us and behind ride twenty good knights and
squires to serve us well. Put aside your foolish
fears, Gerard, they are but shadows and no fit
musing for a grown knight."
So Gerard spoke no more. But in his heart he
knew anger against his brother, that Huon would
so easily dismiss his warning. And he thought
that long had it been thus, that Huon, bold and
