Mussulmen and Greeks--who alike came to the marts--corrupted them,
and they became unbelievers, so that even the children in their
play mocked at the Church and Sacraments. In short, it was said
they were Manicheans."

"What is that?"

"People who believe that the powers of good and evil are co-equal
and co-eternal, that both God and the devil are to be worshipped.
At least this was laid to their charge; I know not if it be all
true.

"Well, the Church appealed for help to the chivalry of France; she
declared the goods and possessions of this unfortunate people
confiscate to them who should seize them, and offered heaven to
those who died in battle against them. Now these poor wretches
could write love songs and were clever at all kinds of art, but
they could not fight. My father was chosen to head the new crusade;
and even he was shocked at the murderous scenes, the massacres, the
burnings, which followed--God forbid I should ever witness the
like--they were blotted out from the earth."

The storm which had been gathering all this time now burst in its
full violence upon our travellers. Blinding flakes of snow, borne
with all the force of the wind, seemed to overwhelm them; soon the
tracks which alone marked the way became obliterated, and the
riders wandered aimlessly for more than an hour.

"What shall we do, Stephen? I have lost every trace of the way; my
poor beast threatens to give up."