He reined in his horse, and standing in his stirrups very tall
and virile, he addressed them.

"People of Coimbra," he announced, "I go to obtain this city's
absolution from the ban that has been laid upon it. I shall
return before sunset. Till then do you keep the peace."

The voice of the multitude was raised again, this time to hail
him as the father and protector of the Portuguese, and to invoke
the blessing of Heaven upon his handsome head.

Riding between Moniz and Nunes, and followed by his glittering
men-at-arms, he crossed the city and took the road along the
river by which it was known that the legate had departed. All
that morning they rode briskly amain, the Infante fasting, as he
had risen, yet unconscious of hunger and of all else but the
purpose that was consuming him. He rode in utter silence, his
face set, his brows stern; and Moniz, watching him furtively the
while, wondered what thoughts were stirring in that rash,
impetuous young brain, and was afraid.

Towards noon at last they overtook the legate's party. They
espied his mule-litter at the door of an inn in a little village
some ten miles beyond the foothills of the Bussaco range. The
Infante reined up sharply, a hoarse, fierce cry escaping him,
akin to that of some creature of the wild when it espies its
prey.

Moniz put forth a hand to seize his arm.