The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1874-07-19

"ae "eak ana ISlnt with loss of bIos
and In his heart there reigned a desolsti
worse than death. While they hurried h
aiong the high road, under the pale light
tno evening sky, there came to him a vision
the beloved, gentle mother at home, who "
even then praying on her knees for him. ]
} asked but one question
} "Whose captive am Ip
ihey understood the meaning of his word
although his language was unknown to the,
and harsh voice replied:
You are the prisoner of our mighty lo
solymon, the Saracen ehief-Solvmon. WI
lives near Damascus
Then the young knights heart stood almo
still. "''
For what am reserved, my God ,u he erie
wildly. "Why have fallen into the hands
the man who slew my father =,
The great loss of blood so weaksned hi,
'na' ne ceased to know the hours as the
roiiea on he was only conscious of the roue
arms that supported him on that dreary ion,
ney. Yet those pains were all of use for h
offered them in union with the sufferinps of h;
Divine Master.
Inc magnificent palace of Soiymon wa
reached at last, and they threw the wear
eAp'iVe into narrow CELL. It was neithe
damp nor dark. The Saracen chief had nj
Wish TO harm his prisoner; he desired that h.
snooio recover, in order that the heavy ransom
might come to him. It was q small, low room
at the western end of the building. but i
overlooked part the magnificent gardens ths
belonged to the palace. A rude bed was nre
pared, and the young crusader was laid upor
IT, his wounds were dressed by skilful hands
coohng drinks were placed at his side, and or.
ders were given that he should want for moth.
ing. Great would be the sum of eold.u said
the Saracen chief, sent for the ransom of the
comely Christian who now languished upon
that sick bed" Ripe rich fruits were given
him' and when the fever caused by his wounds
abated, they gave him the generous wine of
the grape, that gladdens the hearts of men.
.Ihere was much wonder in the vopno
knights mind he had not thought of the ran.
son. and he marvelled why this kindness was
shown to him.
Among the prisoners of Solymon tber. wsrs
men of almost every nation: there vera oon-
ives 'rom sunny France and fair Italy; from
spain, the home of chivalry and every other
|atno4ic nation whose sons had Joined in the
Holy Wars.
Inc greater part of the captives were treated
Win oarbarous cruelty. Forced to labor
oaded with chains, ill-treated in eyery wav
LepriVed OF sufficient food, it was woe to the
christians who fell into the hands of the sor-
Gems.
"hen large ransom was looked for, "a in
ne case OF Bertrand Talbot the ill-treatment
'as not carried far. When all hope or chance
I obtaining ransom was over, then the can.
ives dragged on weary life, full of SUFFERING
nd deprived of hope.
Slowly enough did health and strenetb -a-
arn to our Ladys knight. He never ceaaoa
D call upon his Lady and Queen for be1n .Ss
eliverance. "AN
1no soul little understands the discipline
ias Is sent in all love to prepare it for the
tories OF heaven. The proud must endpre
ardent, fiery natures must learn
10 suoiitne lesson of meekness and patience
ne discipline sent to prepare the soul of the
'ung crusader for it's future glory was that of
long and painful imprisonment, Wherein al,
lat was most human died away from him. and
Is heart became detached from all eartb,, |
llngs, and intlamed only with the des;ro os |
eaven.
CHAPTER III.
when Bertrand was able to leave his he'd
,o slt up, he gazed with rapture of DELIGHT
'ne gorgeous flowers and magnificent gar
ms upon which his window opened. II was
scene OF marvellous beauty to him: the
Arleo oeauty, the glowing colors of the richly
'riumed plants, the fountains where each
op Oh spray was like rainbow, the pictu-
sque and graceful shrubs, the trees of luxpri-