The  enchanter,  with  an  aspect  still  cloudier,  bade
Ashtaroth  lay  down  that  look,   and '  made  signs  as  if
he  would  resort  to  angrier  compulsion  ;   and  the  devil,  ,
alarmed,   loosened  his  tongue,   and  said,  ^^  You  have
not  told  me  what  you  desire  to  know  of  Rinaldo."

*^I  desire  to  know  what  he  has  been  doing,  and
where  he  is."

^^He  has  been  conquering  and  baptizing  the  world,
east  and  west,"  said  the  demon,  ^'  and  is  now  in
Egypt  with   Ricciardetto."

'^  And  what  has  Gan  been  plotting  with  Mar-
silius  ?  "  inquired  Malagigi  ;  ^^  and  what  is  to  come
ofit?"

^'1  know  not,"  said  the  devil.  ^^  I  was  not  at-
tending to  Gan  at  the  time,  and  we  fallen  spirits  know
not  the  future.  All  I  discern  is  that  by  the  signs  and
comets  in  the  heavens  something  dreadful  is  about  to
happen  —  something  very  strange,  treacherous,  and
bloody  ;  and  that  Gan  has  a  seat  ready  prepared  for
him  in  hell."

^*  Within  three  days,"  cried  the  enchanter,  loudly,
'*  bring  Rinaldo  and  Ricciardetto  into  the  pass  of
Roncesvalles.  Do  it,  and  I  hereby  undertake  to
summon  thee  no  more."


THE    BATTLE    OF    RONCESVALLES.     1 87

^^  Suppose  they  will  not  trust  themselves  with  me  ?  "
said  the  spirit.
*'  Enter  Rinaldo's  horse,  and  bring  him,  whether  he
trust  thee  or  not."

*'It  shall  be  done,"  returned  the  demon.
There  was  an  earthquake,  and  Ashtaroth  disap-
peared.
