“Father Abraham!” said Isaac of York , when the first course was run betwixt the Templar and the Disinherited Knight, “how fiercely that Gentile rides! Ah, the good horse that was brought all the long way from Barbary , he takes no more care of him than if he were a wild ass’s colt⁠—and the noble armour, that was worth so many zecchins to Joseph Pareira, the armourer of Milan , besides seventy in the hundred of profits, he cares for it as little as if he had found it in the highways!”

“If he risks his own person and limbs, father,” said Rebecca, “in doing such a dreadful battle, he can scarce be expected to spare his horse and armour.”

“Child!” replied Isaac, somewhat heated, “thou knowest not what thou speakest⁠—His neck and limbs are his own, but his horse and armour belong to⁠—Holy Jacob! what was I about to say!⁠—Nevertheless, it is a good youth⁠—See, Rebecca! see, he is again about to go up to battle against the Philistine⁠—Pray, child⁠—pray for the safety of the good youth⁠—and of the speedy horse, and the rich armour.⁠—God of my fathers!” he again exclaimed, “he hath conquered, and the uncircumcised Philistine hath fallen before his lance⁠—even as Og the King of Bashan , and Sihon, King of the Amorites, fell before the sword of our fathers!⁠—Surely he shall take their gold and their silver, and their warhorses, and their armour of brass and of steel, for a prey and for a spoil.”

The same anxiety did the worthy Jew display during every course that was run, seldom failing to hazard a hasty calculation concerning the value of the horse and armour which was forfeited to the champion upon each new success. There had been therefore no small interest taken in the success of the Disinherited Knight, by those who occupied the part of the lists before which he now paused.