willingly send you what would somewhat mend your cheer."

"I thank you, sir," said Sir Kenneth, "but it needs not. Roswal
hath already stocked my larder for two weeks, since the sun of
Palestine, if it brings diseases, serves also to dry venison."

The two warriors parted much better friends than they had met;
but ere they separated, Thomas de Vaux informed himself at more
length of the circumstances attending the mission of the Eastern
physician, and received from the Scottish knight the credentials
which he had brought to King Richard on the part of Saladin.



CHAPTER VIII.

A wise physician, skilled our wounds to heal,
Is more than armies to the common weal. POPE'S ILLIAD.


"This is a strange tale, Sir Thomas," said the sick monarch, when
he had heard the report of the trusty Baron of Gilsland. "Art
thou sure this Scottish man is a tall man and true?"

"I cannot say, my lord," replied the jealous Borderer. "I live a
little too near the Scots to gather much truth among them, having
found them ever fair and false. But this man's bearing is that
of a true man, were he a devil as well as a Scot; that I must
needs say for him in conscience."