I will guide you by the secret paths of the forest, known as well to me as to any forester that ranges it, and I will not leave you till you are under safe conduct of some chief or baron going to the tournament, whose good-will you have probably the means of securing." As the ears of Isaac received the hopes of escape which this speech intimated, he began gradually, and inch by inch, as it were, to raise himself up from the ground, until he fairly rested upon his knees, throwing back his long grey hair and beard, and fixing his keen black eyes upon the Palmer's face, with a look expressive at once of hope and fear, not unmingled with suspicion.

But when he heard the concluding part of the sentence, his original terror appeared to revive in full force, and he dropt once more on his face, exclaiming, "'I' possess the means of securing good-will! alas! there is but one road to the favour of a Christian, and how can the poor Jew find it, whom extortions have already reduced to the misery of Lazarus ?" Then, as if suspicion had overpowered his other feelings, he suddenly exclaimed, "For the love of God, young man, betray me not--for the sake of the Great Father who made us all, Jew as well as Gentile, Israelite and Ishmaelite--do me no treason! I have not means to secure the good-will of a Christian beggar, were he rating it at a single penny." As he spoke these last words, he raised himself, and grasped the Palmer's mantle with a look of the most earnest entreaty.

The pilgrim extricated himself, as if there were contamination in the touch.
"Wert thou loaded with all the wealth of thy tribe," he said, "what interest have I to injure thee ?--In this dress I am vowed to poverty, nor do I change it for aught save a horse and a coat of mail.

Yet think not that I care for thy company, or propose myself advantage by it; remain here if thou wilt--Cedric the Saxon may protect thee." "Alas!" said the Jew, "he will not let me travel in his train--Saxon or Norman will be equally ashamed of the poor Israelite; and to travel by myself through the domains of Philip de Malvoisin and Reginald Front-de-Boeuf--Good youth, I will go with you!--Let us haste--let us gird up our loins--let us flee!--Here is thy staff, why wilt thou tarry ?" "I tarry not," said the Pilgrim, giving way to the urgency of his companion; "but I must secure the means of leaving this place--follow me." He led the way to the adjoining cell, which, as the reader is apprised, was occupied by Gurth the swineherd.--"Arise, Gurth," said the Pilgrim, "arise quickly.

Undo the postern gate, and let out the Jew and me." Gurth, whose occupation, though now held so mean, gave him as much consequence in Saxon England as that of Eumaeus in Ithaca, was offended at the familiar and commanding tone assumed by the Palmer.