The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-10-09
Continued from last Sundays News.

p
CHAPTER VI-Continued.
So Georgios arose. and took a large
jug and a silver tankard from the side
board. where such things were dis
played. With these he went to the
little key which. it will be remember
ed, had been stood ready upon the
trestles, and bending over it, while
he drew the spigots. filled the vessels
to the brim. Then he beckoned to a
reeve sitting at the lower table to bring
him a leather jack that stood upon the
board. Having rinsed it out with wine.
ne nlled that also, handing it with
the jug to the reeve to drink their
lords health on this Yule night. The
silver vessel he bore back to the high
table, and with his own hand filed
the horn cups of all present, Rosa
mund alone excepted, for she would
touch none. although he pressed her
hard and looked vexed at her refusal.
Indeed, it was because it seemed to
PAIN the man that Sir Andrew. ever
courteous took a little himself, al
though, when his back was turned, he
hlled the goblet up with water. At
length, when all was ready, Georgios
charged, or seemed to charge, his own
AAOii oAiO, 1lllllS SAID:
Let us drink. everyone of us here
to the noble knight, Sir Andrew
Darcy, to whom 1 wish, in the phrase
OF my own people, that he may live
Tor ever. Drink, friends, drink deep,
for never will wine such as this pass
your lips again." Then, lifting his
beaker, he appeared to drain it in
great gulps-an example, which all
followed, even Sir Andrew drinking a
little from his cup. which was three
parts filled with water. There follow
ed long murmur of satisfaction.
Wine! 1t is nectar!" said Wulf.
Aye" put in the chaplain, Matthew;
adam might have drunk this in the
Garden" while from the lower table
came jovial shouts of praise of this
smooth, creamlike vintage.
Certainly that wine was both rich
and strong. Thus after his sup of
1t, a veil seemed as it were to fall
on the mind of Sir Andrew and cover
it up. 1t lifted again, and 10! his
brain was full of memories and fore
sights. Circumstances which he had
forgotten for many years came back
to him altogether, like a crowd of
children tumbling out to play. These
passed, and he grew suddenly afraid
Yet what had he to fear that night?
The gates across the moat were lock-
- anu ITuSly men, d score
'zOr more of them, ate in his outbuild-
ings within those gates: while others,
still more trusted. sat in his hall: and
on his right hand and on his left were
those two strong and valiant knights,
Sir Goodwin and Sir Wulf. No. there
was nothing to fear-and yet he felt
afraid. Suddenly he heard a voice
speak. 1t was Rosamunds; and she
said:
why is there such silence, father?
A while ago | heard the servants and
bondsmen carousing in the barn; now
they are still as death. Oh, and look!
Are all here drunken? Goodwin"
But as she spoke Godwin's head fell
forward on the board, while Wulf rose,
half drew his sword, then threw his
arm about the neck of the priest, and
sank with him to the ground AS it
was with these. so it seemed with all,
for folk rocked to and fro, then sank
to sleep, everyone of them, save the
merchant Georgios who rose to call
another toast.
stranger" said Sir Andrew, in a
heavy voice. your wine is very
strong"
TT would seem so, Sir Knight" he
answered, but 1 will wake them from
their wassail." Springing from the
dais lightly as cat, he ran down the
Air!" Now, coming to the door, he
threw it wide open, and drawing a sill
yer whistle from his robe, blew it long
and loud. What" he laughed, do
they still sleep? Why, then, 1 must
give a toast that will rouse them ALL
and selling horn mug, he waved it
and shouted:
drink to the Lady Rose of the World,
Princess of Baalbec, and niece to my
royal master, Yusuf Salah-ed-din, who
sends me to lead her to hint"
"Oh, father shrieked Rosamund,
''the wine was drugged and we are
betrayed"
AS the words passed her lips there
rose the sound of running feet, and
through the open door of the far end
of the hall burst in a score or over
of armed men. Then at last Sir An
drew saw and understood.
With a roar of rage like that Of a
wounded lion, he seized his daughter
and dragged her back with him down
the passage into the solar where a fire
burned and lights had been lit ready
for their retiring, flinging to and bolt
ing the door behind them.
Swift" he said, as he tore his gown
from him, there is no escape. but at
least I can die fighting for you. Give
me nv mail"
She snatched the hauberk from the
wall, and while they Numbered at the
door, did it on to 'him-aye, and his
steel helm also, and gave him his long
sword and his shield.
Now" he said, help me-" And
they thrust the oak table forward, and
overset it i'm front of the door, and
threw the chairs and stools on either
side. that men might stumble on Them
There is a bow" he said, land you
can use il as / have taught you. Get
to one side and out of reach of the
sword sweeps, and shoot past me as
they rush it may stay one Of Them
Oh. that Goodwin and Wulf were here,
and we would still learn these Pay
MIN dogs a lesson!"
Rosamund made no answer but
there came into her mind vision of
the agony of Goodwin and of Wulf
should they ever awake again to learn
what had CHANGED to her and them.
She looked around. Against the wall
stood a little desk, at which Goodwin
was wont to write. and it lay pen and
parchment. She seized them, and as
the door gave slowly inwards,
ecra wled:
Follow me to Saladin. In that |
hope live on.-Rosamund."
Then as the stout door at length
crashed inward she turned what she
had written face downwards on the
desk, and Selling the bow, set an ar
row on it's string. Now IL was down
and on rushed the mob up the six feet
- A Iar aN