The People in Country and Town 4 1 J off all our people, and has gone hence unhindered. Woe is me ! He has left us a grim trophy for toll on the king's highway." To whom Count Arnalt : "Who can this be whose might has done ye this ill ? Were he a merchant, woman, he must needs have a train and pay toll for his wares." Those who had come with the woman bore witness : " He carries a shield, his banner is flecked with rust, yet in all Frankland know we no knight whose armor is so costly and beautiful, like the sun's beam to look upon and eke his doublet and his shield. As he put us to rout he cried wildly, ' Monjoie ! ' ' The count cried : " Cowards all ! Did ye not even know it is not seemly to treat a knight like a tradesman ? What should a knight give for toll ? Ye durst not murmur if he took all your lives. Yet for the king's sake, whose crown my sister wears, I must after him." With his knights, he armed and hastened after the mar- grave. A little way from the town they overtook him, and the count gave him battle. Both bore themselves bravely. They did not give over fighting until the count became aware that the stranger knight was his own brother. After a parley, Arnalt let William ride on to seek the king. Then the burghers clamored to know why he was suffereu to go free. To whom the count : " It is William, the mar- grave ; I can in no wise suffer him to be killed here on French ground. The burghers of Orleans have borne them- selves like clumsy boors. Ye dolts ! How could my brother pay toll like a merchant ? Even he who knows but ill the just dues of knights knows that he goes free of tax." Meanwhile William rode on his way, and in due time reached Moulon. A great crowd was gathered there for a royal festival, and the knight could find no place to lodge. At last he went forth from the town. He took off his helmet and stretched himself on the grass beside the road. Then came a merchant from the town and begged him most cour- teously to do honor to all merchants by going to lodge with him. The merchant's name was Wimar, and he was born of knightly blood. He said, "If ye will but grant me this
