So saying, he was turning his mule's head away, when the Palmer, in his

turn, took hold of his gaberdine. "Nay, but Isaac, thou knowest not all

the risk. The steed may be slain, the armour injured--for I will spare

neither horse nor man. Besides, those of thy tribe give nothing for

nothing; something there must be paid for their use."

The Jew twisted himself in the saddle, like a man in a fit of the colic;

but his better feelings predominated over those which were most familiar

to him. "I care not," he said, "I care not--let me go. If there is

damage, it will cost you nothing--if there is usage money, Kirjath

Jairam will forgive it for the sake of his kinsman Isaac. Fare thee

well!--Yet hark thee, good youth," said he, turning about, "thrust

thyself not too forward into this vain hurly-burly--I speak not for

endangering the steed, and coat of armour, but for the sake of thine own

life and limbs."

"Gramercy for thy caution," said the Palmer, again smiling; "I will use

thy courtesy frankly, and it will go hard with me but I will requite

it."

They parted, and took different roads for the town of Sheffield.




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