imports; and by the goat, alluding to his garb of goat-skins, he
means himself. We must keep him in sight, however, for he is as
fleet as a dromedary."

In fact, the task was a difficult one, for though the reverend
guide stopped from time to time, and waved his hand, as if to
encourage them to come on, yet, well acquainted with all the
winding dells and passes of the desert, and gifted with uncommon
activity, which, perhaps, an unsettled state of mind kept in
constant exercise, he led the knights through chasms and along
footpaths where even the light-armed Saracen, with his well-trained barb, was in considerable risk, and
where the iron-sheathed European and his over-burdened steed found themselves in
such imminent peril as the rider would gladly have exchanged for
the dangers of a general action. Glad he was when, at length,
after this wild race, he beheld the holy man who had led it
standing in front of a cavern, with a large torch in his hand,
composed of a piece of wood dipped in bitumen, which cast a broad
and flickering light, and emitted a strong sulphureous smell.

Undeterred by the stifling vapour, the knight threw himself from
his horse and entered the cavern, which afforded small appearance
of accommodation. The cell was divided into two parts, in the
outward of which were an altar of stone and a crucifix made of
reeds: this served the anchorite for his chapel. On one side of
this outward cave the Christian knight, though not without
scruple, arising from religious reverence to the objects around,
fastened up his horse, and arranged him for the night, in
imitation of the Saracen, who gave him to understand that such
was the custom of the place. The hermit, meanwhile, was busied
putting his inner apartment in order to receive his guests, and