was to be cast for the life or
death of Rebecca. It was a scene of bustle and life, as if the whole vicinity
had poured forth its inhabitants to a village wake or rural feast. But the
earnest desire to look on blood and death is not peculiar to those dark ages;
though in the gladiatorial exercise of single combat and general tourney, they
were habituated to the bloody spectacle of brave men falling by each other's
hands. Even in our own days, when morals are better understood, an execution, a
bruising match, a riot, or a meeting of radical reformers, collects, at
considerable hazard to themselves, immense crowds of spectators, otherwise
little interested, except to see how matters are to be conducted, or whether the
heroes of the day are, in the heroic language of insurgent tailors, flints or
dunghills.
    The eyes, therefore, of a very considerable multitude were bent on the gate
of the Preceptory of Templestowe, with the purpose of witnessing the procession;
while still greater numbers had already surrounded the tilt-yard belonging to
that establishment. This enclosure was formed on a piece of level ground
adjoining to the Preceptory, which had been levelled with care, for the exercise
of military and chivalrous sports. It occupied the brow of a soft and gentle
eminence, was carefully palisaded around, and, as the Templars willingly invited
spectators to be witnesses of their skill in feats of chivalry, was amply
supplied with galleries and benches for their use.
    On the present occasion, a throne was erected for the Grand Master at the
east end, surrounded with seats of distinction for the Preceptors, and Knights
of the Order. Over these floated the sacred standard, called Le Beau-seant,
which was the ensign, as its name was the battle-cry of the Templars.
    At the opposite end of the lists was a pile of faggots, so arranged around a
stake, deeply fixed in the ground, as to leave a space for the victim whom they
were destined to consume, to enter within the fatal circle in order to be
chained to the stake by the fetters which hung ready for the purpose. Beside
this deadly apparatus stood four black slaves, whose colour and African
features, then so little known in England, appalled the multitude, who gazed on
them as on demons employed about their own diabolical exercises. These men
stirred not excepting now and then, under the direction of one who seemed their
chief, to shift and replace the ready fuel. They looked not on the multitude. In
fact, they seemed insensible of their presence, and of everything