When Gilbert was a young man, he took upon him our Lord's cross by way of penance, and set out for the Holy Land, accompanied by a single serving man, whose name was Richard. As these two were on their way with others to offer up their prayers at the holy places, they were surprised by an ambuscade, made prisoners, and given in chains to be the slaves of a certain Amurath, and chief of the Pagans. Here they remained some time, earning a scanty subsistence by the daily labour of their hands. A year and half passed away in this Sclavonian bondage, and Gilbert began to attract more notice and respect than the others, particularly in the eyes of Amurath, with whom he got into such favour, that he often, though still in chains, waited on him at table, and conversed with him and his guests on the customs and manners of different countries. For his sake, also, much favour was extended to his fellow captives, principally by the mediation of Amurath's only daughter, a beautiful and courtly damsel, who, as will be shown presently, was smitten with love for the captive Gilbert.
One day the young lady took an opportunity of speaking to him more freely than usual, and asked him what country and city he came from, also about the doctrines and life of the Christians, what was the nature of their creed, and hope of reward in a future life. To this Gilbert replied, that he was an Englishman, and that he lived at London, to which he added an exposition of the Christian faith, as he was best able to give it. "And would you dare to die," says the damsel, "for your God, and for that faith of Christ which you profess?" "Most willingly," replied he, " would I die in the cause of my God." On hearing this, the girl seemed penetrated with the words which he had spoken, and declared, that for his sake she would become a Christian, if he would pledge himself, by the faith which he professed, to take her for his wife." But he said nothing in reply, deliberating within himself, and apprehensive of deceit; and though she urged it, he not only declined to acquiesce at once, but put her off from day to day, and showed great reluctance to consent at all to her proposal.
The damsel was much afflicted at his continued hesitation, and became, as is usual with women a prey to anxiety. Meanwhile, at the end of a year and half from their first capture, Gilbert and his fellow-prisoners began to form plans or escaping. One night they broke their chains, and issuing from their prison, arrived, after travelling the whole night, within the Christian frontiers. In the morning, the overseer of slaves went, as was his custom, to bring them out to their work, and finding the prisoners gone, pursued them at the head of a numerous band, until he arrived at the territory of the Christians, where in anger he was obliged to abandon the pursuit. But Amurath's daughter, learning this intelligence, began from that moment to meditate on the best way of securing her own escape and following the fugitives.
Night and day were given up to deliberation, until at length, one night, when all were buried in sleep, she arose by herself, and concealing her design from every one, she took a small quantity of provisions with her, that she might not be encumbered, and committed herself to all the dangers of such a stealthy flight, forgetful in the excitement of her anticipated escape, of all the wealth of her father, which would, after his death, have come to her. Wonderful indeed was the courage of this woman, and the depth of her love which emboldened her to execute so difficult and dangerous a deed! Noble as she was, and the heiress to a rich estate, she cast aside the parental tie, and though frail and delicate, she braved all the terrors of poverty, all the dangers of a long extent of country and of a stormy sea, alone and unaided, for the love of one man so far away from her, so utterly a stranger to her; though it was uncertain whether she ever should find him, or even if he was yet alive, still less certain whether he would marry her, even when he should be found!
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