noon
It is full of colour , mystery , plot , and counterplot , and Sir Kenneth 's performances in withstanding the jealous enemies of Richard Coeur-de-Lion glow with life . Conrade of Montserrat , Richard 's opponent in the armies of the Crusaders , was a well-known figure in the wars against the Saracens , and when he perished at their hands , it was said that Richard instigated his death . _ I. -- The Knight of the Leopard _ The burning sun of Syria had not yet attained its highest point when a Knight of the Red Cross was pacing slowly along the sandy deserts in the vicinity of the Dead Sea . At noon he joyfully hailed the sight of two or three palm trees , and his good horse , too , lifted up his head as if he snuffed from afar off the living waters which marked the place of repose and refreshment . But a distant form separated itself from the trees , and advanced towards the knight at a speed which soon showed a Saracen cavalier . The Crusader , whose arms were a couchant leopard , disengaged his lance , and well acquainted with the customs of Eastern warriors , made a dead halt , confident that his own weight would give him the advantage if the enemy advanced to the actual shock ; but the Saracen , wheeling his horse with inimitable dexterity , rode round the Christian , who , constantly turning , frustrated his attempts to attack him in an unguarded point , until , desirous to terminate the elusory warfare , the knight suddenly seized the mace which hung at his saddle-bow , and hurled it at the head of the Emir , who , though beaten to the ground , instantly sprang again into his seat and regained the advantage , enlarging his circles , and discharging arrows . At the seventh , the Christian knight dropped heavily to the ground , and the Saracen dismounting to examine his fallen foe , suddenly found himself in his grasp .