BROIEFORT, THE BLACK ARABIAN l6l 



softly in reply ; he struck his foot upon the stone 

 pavement as if to say that he was ready to be 

 going. Ogier brought out his saddle, now so 

 long unused, and the bridle with the golden bits. 

 Broiefort leaped into the air for very gladness. 

 And when his master threw the rich trappings 

 upon his back, tightened the saddle-girths, and 

 laid the reins over his neck, he seemed beside him- 

 self with joy. Then Ogier donned his own ar- 

 mor, buckled his good sword to his side, and put 

 his bright steel helmet upon his head. Leading 

 the horse across the courtyard, he opened the 

 castle gate quietly and peeped out. The be- 

 siegers were all asleep in their tents; even the 

 sentinels were sprawled upon the ground, dream- 

 ing of their homes and their loved ones in far- 

 away Aquitaine. 



Ogier let down the drawbridge very softly, and 

 then, mounting Broiefort, he rode out of the 

 fortress which had sheltered him so long. Good 

 Broiefort seemed to understand everything. 

 With eyes open very wide and ears alert to catch 

 every sound, he stepped so lightly that the most 

 wakeful of the besiegers did not hear him. The 

 birds were singing in the tree-tops as they passed 

 through Charlemagne's camp, but not a soldier 



10 



