The Savannah morning news., 1904-10-30
CHAPTER X.
THE HORSES FLAME AND SMOKE

iouSSr alone IN the house. for Sundry
othsr guests sat there partaking of
their morning meal. Among them were
a grave merchant from Damascus, an
other from Alexandria in Egypt, a man
VINO seemed to be an Arab chief.
Jew OF Jerusalem, and none other than
the English trader Thomas of Ipswich
their Fellow passenger, who greeted
them warmly Truly, they were a
strange and motley set of men. Con-
sider1ng them as the young and state
~ WIDOW Masouda moved from one to
the other, talking to each in turn while
she attended to their wants, it came
into Godwin's mind that they might be
spies meeting there to gain or ex-
changs information, or even to make
report to their hostess In whose pay
perhaps they were. Still If so, of this
they showed no sign, speaking for the
most part in French, which all of them
understood, on general matters such
as the heat of the weather, the price
OF transport animals or merchandise,
and the cities whittier they purposed to
travel.
The trader, Thomas, it seemed, had
intended to start for Jerusalem that
morning with his goods. But the rid
ing mule he had bought proved to be
lame from prick in the hoof, nor
were all his hired camels come down
from the mountains, so that he must
wait few days, or so he said. I'm
der these circumstances, he offered the
brethren his company in their ram
bltnSs about the town. This they
thought 1t wise not to refuse although
they felt little confidence in the man.
believing that it was he who had found
out their story and true names and
revealed them to Masouda, either
through talkativeness or with a pur-
pose.
However these things might be. this
Thomas proved of service to them,
since, although he was but just land
ed, he seemed to know all that had
passed in Syria since he left it, and
all that was passing then. Thus he
told them how Guy of Lusignan had
just made himself King in Jerusalem
on the death of the child Baldwin, and
how Raymond of Tripoli refused to ac-
knowledge him and was about to be
besieged in Liberals. How Saladin also
was gathering a great host at Damas-
Gus to make war upon the Christians,
and many other things, false and true.
In his company, then. and sometimes
in that if the other guests-none of
whom showed any curiosity concern
ing them, though whether this was
from good manners of for other rea-
sons they could not be sure-the breth-
rem passed the hours profltably enough.
1t was on the third morning of
their stay that their hostess Masouda,
with whom as yet they had no fur
Their private talk, asked them that if
they had not said that they wished
to buy horses. On their answering
Yes" she added that she had told
certain man to bring two for them
to look at, which were now in the sta
BILE beyond the garden. Thither they
went, accompanied by Masouda, to
find a grave Arab wrapped in a gar
ment of camels hair and carrying a
spear in his hand, standing at the
door of the cave which, as is common
in the East, where the heat is so great.
served the purpose of a stable. AS
they advanced toward him, MasoudE
said:
IF you like the horses, leave me to
bargain, and seem to understand moth
ing of my talk"
The Arab, who took no notice of
them, saluted Masouda and said to
her in Arabic:
els it then for Franks that l have
been ordered to bring the two price
less ones?"
What is that to you, my Uncle, Son
of the Sand?" she asked. Let them
be led forth that 1 may know whether
they are those for which I sent
Inc man TURNED ana called through
the door of the cave.
Flame, come hither!" AS he spoke
there was a sound of hoofs, and through
the low archway leapt the most beau
tiful horse that ever their eyes had
seen. 1t was grey in colour, with flow
ing name and tail, and on its fore
head was a black star; nor over tall,
but with a barrel-like shape of great
strength, smaIl-headed large-eyed,
Cd 10 t.,,1 a. L.
meath the knee, and round-hoofed. Out
it sprang snorting; then seeing it's
master, the Arab, checked itself and
stood still by him as though it had
been turned to stone.
Come hither, Smoke" called the
Arab again, and another horse appear
ed and ranged itself by the first. In
size and shape 1t was the same, but
the color was coal-black and the star
upon its forehead white. Also the
eye was more fiery
These are the horses" said the
Arab, Masouda translating. 'They are
twins, seven years old and never
backed until they were six, cast at a
birth by the swiftest mare in Syria,
and of a pedigree that can be counted
for a hundred years"
Horses indeed" said Wulf Horses
indeed But what is the price of
them"
Masouda repeated the question in
Arabic wherein the man replied in
the same tongue with a slight shrug
of the shoulders.
BE not foolish. You know this is
no question Of price, for they are be-
yond price. Say what you will"
He says" said Masouda, ''that 1t
is a hundred gold pieces for the pair.
Can you pay as nuch?"
The brethren looked at each other.
The sum was large
Such horses have saved mems lives
ere now" added Masouda, land / do
not think that 1 can ask him to take
less. seeing that did he but know II.
in Jerusalem they could be sold for
thrice as much. But If you wish,
could lend you money, since doubt
less you have jewels or other articles
Of value you could give as security
that ring in your breast, for instance,
Peter"
I'VE have the gold itself" answered
Wulf, who would have paid to his last
piece for those horses.
They buy" said Masouda.
''They buy, but can they rider" ask
ed the Arab. These horses are not
for children or pilgrims. Unless they
oan ride we'll they shall not have
them-no, not even IL you ask 1t of
me-"
Goodwin said that he thought scat
least, they would try. Then the
Arab, leaving the horses standing
there, went into the stable, and with
the help of two of the Inn servants,
brought out brides and saddles unlike
any they had seen. They were but
ttkickly-qullted pads stretching far
-.