The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-10-09
THE BRETHREN
A Romance of the Crusades
BY H. RIDER HAGGARD.

-S~CSSSSSSSSSASO
sired.
Down with him and seize the
Prlncess! said voice. 1t was that
Oh Georgios, no longer humble with a
merchants obsequious whine, but
speaking in tones of cold command
and in the Arabic tongue.
For moment the swarthy mob hung
PACK, as well they might in fact of
that glittering sword Then with a cry
OF Salah-ed-din! Salah-ed-din!" on
they surged, with flashing spears and
sclmetars. The overthrown table was
IN front of them, and one leapt upon
lts edse, but as he leapt, the old knight,
all MS years and sickness forgotten
now, sprang forward and struck down.
wards, so heavy a blow that in the
udrkenlng mouth or the passage the
sparks Streamed out, and where the
Saracen's head had been, appeared his
heels Back Sir Andrew stepped again
TO win space for his sword-play, while
round the ends of the table broke two
nerce-faced men. At one of them
Rosamund shot with her bow, and the
arrow pierced his thigh. but as he fell
he struck with his keen scimetar and
shore the end off the bow, so that it
was useless. The second man caught
ms foot in the bar of the oak chair
which he did not see, and went down
prone, while Sir Andrew, taking no
need of him, rushed with a shout at
the crowd who followed, and catching
their blows upon his shield, rained
down others so desperate that, being
hampered by their very number they
gave before him, and staggered back
along the passage.
Guard your right, father" cried
Rosamund. He sprang around, to see
the Saracen who had fallen, on his
feet again. At him he went, nor did
the man wait the onset. but turned to
fly, only to find a haven in the house
of Death, for the great sword caught
him between the neck and shoulders.
Now a voice cried:
I'VE make poor sport with this old
non, and lose men. Keep clear of
his claws, and whelm him with spear
casts''
Aye, through my breast; and go,
tell that tale to Salah-ed dim"
Then, clear and calm was heard the
command of Georgios. He who harms
a hair of the Princess dies. Take
them both living if We may, but lay
no hand on her. Stay, let us talk"
So they ceased from their onslaught
and began to consult together.
Rosamund touched her father and
pointed to the man who lay upon the
floor with an arrow through his thigh.
He was struggling to his knees, rails
ing the heavy scimetar in his hand.
Sir Andrew lifted his sword as "a hus-
bandman lifts stick to kill a rat,
then he let it fall again, saying:
Il fight not the wounded. Drop that
steel, and get you back to your own
folk"
The fellow obeyed him-yes, and even
touched the floor with his forehead in
salaam as he crawled away, for he
knew that he had been given his life,
and that the deed was noble towards
him who had planned a towards stroke
Then Georgios stepped forward, no
longer the same Georgios who had
sold poisoned wine and Eastern en-
broideries, but a proud-looking, high
browed Saracen, clad in the mail
which he wore beneath his merchants
robe, and in place of the crucifix wear
ing on his breast great star-shaped
jewel, the emblem of his house and
rank.
Sir Andrew" he said, "hearken to
me. I pray you. Noble was that act"
and he pointed to the wounded man
being drawn away by his fellows,
land noble has been your defence
well worthy of your lineage and your
knighthood. 1t is tale that my mas
ter" and he bowed as he said the
Allah that we return to him in safety.
Also you will think that l have play
ed a knave's trick upon you, overconn-
ing the might of those gallant knights,
Sir Goodwin and Sir Wulf, not with
sword blows but with drugged wine.
and treating all your servants in like
fashion, since not one of them can
shake off its fumes before to-morrow's
light. So indeed it is-a very scurvy
trick which / shall remember with
shame to my lifes end, and that per-
chance may yet fall back upon my head
in blood and vengeance. Yet bethink
you how we stand, and forgive us.
We are but a little company of men
in your great country, hidden, as it
were, in a den of lions, who, IL they
saw us, would Slay us without mercy.
That, indeed, is a small thing, for
what are our lives, of which your
sword has taken 1.-THE, and not only
yours, but those of the twin brethren
on the quay by the water?"
81 thought it, broke in Sir Andrew
contemptuously. Indeed, the deed was
worthy of you-twenty or more men
against two"
Georgios held up his hand.
Judge us not harshly" he said,
speaking slowly, who for his own ends
wished to gain time, you who have
read the letter of our lord. See you,
these were my commands: To secure
the Lady Rose of the World as best /
might, but If possible without blood
shed. Now I was reconnoitering the
country with a troop of the sailors
a