That will be your fate."
"Do suffer us to go, we do not fear death," pleaded Francis and
Illuminato, again and again.
"I do not know what is in your minds in this," said the Cardinal, "but
beware--if you go--that your thoughts are always to God."
"We only wish to go for great good, if we can work it," replied
Francis.
"Then if you wish it so much," the Cardinal at last agreed, "you may
go."
So Francis and Illuminato girded their loins and tightened their
sandals and set away from the Crusading Army towards the very camp of
the enemy.
As he walked Francis sang with his full, loud, clear voice. These were
the words that he sang:
Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they
comfort me.
As they walked along over the sandy waste they saw two small sheep
nibbling the sparse grass growing near the Nile.
"Be of good cheer," said Francis to Illuminato, smiling, "it is the
fulfilling of the Gospel words 'Behold I send you as sheep in the
midst of wolves.'"
Then there appeared some Saracen soldiers. They were, at first, for
letting the two unarmed men go by; but, on questioning Francis, they
grew angrier and angrier.
"Are you deserters from the Christian camp?" they asked.
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