courtesy which he felt was due from him to the travellers he despoiled.

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The count had gathered round him a collection of the best assorted ruffians of every country; Saxons, Danes, Lombards, Jews, and Saracens, lent him a hand to forward the interests of the Evil One. One morning he called them all together, and said to them—-

"I have pleasant news for you. We have the opportunity of playing a pretty trick on some Saxon traders. I have just been informed that a caravan, consisting of thirty mules, laden with treasure, and conveyed by a small escort, is about to cross the Hartz Mountains this morning, to attend the fair of St. Denis. I have conceived the design of protecting French commerce, and putting a stop to the opposition which is meditated against it. Under the protection of our patron saints, the two thieves, we will make ourselves masters of this venture."

Ganelon and his rascals placed themselves in ambush along the border of the forest, and before long saw a thick cloud of dust rising along the road in the distance.

"Here," cried they, "beyond a doubt, are those we are waiting for. Let us save them three-quarters of their journey;" and they rushed forward, sword in hand. The two opposing storms of dust approached each other, and from the further came the cry, "i' what are you doing? You'll destroy the beasts!"

Ganelon and his men had charged into the midst of an army of porkers, driven by Westphalian swineherds.