The Savannah morning news., 1904-10-02
Continued from Last Sundays Newsl
CHAPTER VI

and the weather being foul, Sir Andrew
and his household did not ride to Stan
gate, but attended mass in SteepIe
Church. Here, after service, according
to custom on this day. he gave lar
gesse to his tenants and villeins. and
with it his good wishes and a caution
that they should not become drunk at
their Yuletide feast. as was the COM
mon habit of the time.
I'VE shall not get the chance" said
Wulf, as they walked to the Hall,
"since the chaperone Georgios has not
delivered the wine, of which l hoped
to drink a cup tonight"
Perhaps he has sold it at a better
price to someone else; it would be like
a Cypriote," answered Sir Andrew,
smiling.
Then he went into the hall, and as
had been agreed between them, to-
gether the brethren gave their Christ
mas gifts to ROsamund She thanked
them prettily enough, and much ad-
mired the beauty of the work, laughing
when they told her that it had not yet
been paid for, and saying that, however
it was come by. she would wear both
tunic and veil at their feast. which
About 2 o'clock in the afternoon a
servant came into the hall to say that
a vain drawn by three horses and ac-
companied by two men, one of whom
led the horses. was coming down the
road from Steeple village.
"Our merchant-and in time after
ALL" said Wulf, and, followed by the
others, he went out to receive them.
Georgios it was sure enough,
IN oh
such as Cypriotes wear in winter and
seated on the head of one of his own
barrels.
Your pardon. knights" he said as
he scrambled nimbly to the ground.
1.-THE roads in this country are such
that, although l have left nearly half
my load at Stangate, it has taken me
four long hours to come from the Abb
bey here, most of which time we have
spent in mud-holes that have wearied
the horses and. as 1 fear. strained the
wheels of this crazy wagon Still, here
we are at last, and, noble sir, he
added bowling to Sir Andrew, here too
is the wine that your son bought OF
me-"
MY nephew" interrupted Sir An
drew.
"Once more your pardon. / thought
from their likeness to you that these
knights were your sons
HAS he bought all that stuff ask
ed Sir Andrew-for there were five
tubs on the wagon besides one or two
smaller kegs and some packages wrap
ped in sheepskin.
mo, alas" answered the Cypriote
ruefully, and struggling his shoulders
"Only two of them, Mavro. The rest
took to the Abbey. for l understood
the holy Prior to say that he would
purchase six casks. but it seems that
it was but three he needed.
HE said three" put in Wulf.
Did he, sir?" Then doubtless the
error was mine, who speak your
tongue but i'll. So l must drag the rest
back again over those accursed roads,
and he made another grimace. yet l
will ask YOU sir he added to Sir
Andrew, ito tighten the load little by
accepting this small keg of the old
sweet vintage that grows on the slopes
of Trooidos."
II remember it we'll" said Sir An
drew. with a smile; but, friend, 1 do
not wish to take your wine for moth
ing"
At these words the face of Georgios
bsamed.
YOU know my land of Cyprus? On,
then indeed 1 kiss your hands. and
surely you will not affront me by re
fusine this little present? Indeed, to
be frank, 1 can afford to lose its price
who have done a good trade, even here
in Essex" g.,
'As you will" said Sir Andrew. Il
thank you, and perhaps you have other
things to sell"
II have indeed a few enbroideries if
this most gracious lady would DE
pleased to look at them. Some carpets
also. such as the Mosiems used to pray
on in the name of their false prophet,
Mahomet." and turning, he spat upon
the ground. o,,--,..,. >,
IT perceive you are Christian
fought against them. l have known
many a good Mussuman. Nor do
think It necessary to spit at the name
of Mahomet, who to my mind was 9
great man deceived by the artlflce OF
Satan"
Neither do L." said Goodwin reflec-
lively. ITS true servants should hght
the enemies of the cross ana pray Ioi
their souls, not spit at them.
The merchant looked at them Curl
ously. lingering the silver crucifix that
hung upon his breast. The captors Oh
the Holy City thought otherwise ne
said, when they rode into the Mosque
Ell Aksa up to their horses knees III
blood, and | have been taught other
wise. But the times grow Hpeldi a."
after all. what right has a poor trader
whose mind. alasi is set more on gain
than on the sufferings of the blessed
Son of Mary" and he crossed himself
ito form "a judgment upon such high
matters? Pardon me. | accept your
reproof, who perhaps am bigoted.'
Yet, had they but know it, this re
proof was to save the life of many a
man that night.
May l ask help with these pack
ages ?" he went on. las / cannot open
them here and to move the casks
Nay. the little keg | will carry my
self. as ] nope that you will taste OF
It at your Christmas feast 1t must
be gently handled, though l fear me
that those roads of yours will not i'm
prove it's quality" Then twisting It
from the end of the vain onto his
shoulder in such a fashion that 1t re-
manned upright, he walked off lightly
towards the open door of the hall.
For one not tall that man is
strangely strong" thought Wulf, whC
followed with a bale Of carpets.
Then the other casks of wine were
stored away in the stone cellar be-
meath the hall.
Leaving his servant a silent, stupid
looking dark-eyed fellow named Pc
tros-to bait the horses, Georgios en-
tered the hall and began to unpact
his carpets and embroderieS with al
the skill of one who had been trained
in the bazaars Of Cairo, Damascus
or Nicoaia Beautiful things they were
which he had to show; broideries tha