The Savannah morning news., 1904-10-30
Continued from Last Sundays News.

CHAPTER VIIL-Continued.
Then they undid their baggage, and
having taken from it clean garments.
washed themselves after their long
journey with the water that had been
placed ready for them in great Jars.
This, indeed, they needed, for on that
crowded dromon there was little
chance Of washing. By the time they
had clothed themselves afresh, putting
on their shirts of mail beneath their
TUNES, the Nubian came and led them
to another room, large and lighted
with high-set lattices, where cush-
ions were piled upon the floor round
rug that also was laid upon the
floor. Motioning them to be seated
on the cushions, he went away to re-
turn again presently, accompanied by
MaSouda bearing dishes upon brass
piatters. These she placed before
them, bidding them eat. What that
FOOD was they did not know, because
of the sauces with which it had been
covered, until she told them that ii
was fish. After the fish came flesh,
and after the flesh fowls and after
the fowls cakes and sweetmeats and
fruits, until, ravenous as they were
who for days had fed upon sailed pork
and biscuits full of worms washed
down with bad water, they were
forced to beg her to bring no more.
Drink another cup of wine at
least, she said, smiling and filling
their mugs with the sweet vintage of
Lebanon-for it seemed to please her
to see them eat so heartily of her
fare.
They obeyed, mixing the wine with
water. While they drank she asked
them suddenly what were their plans
and how long they wished to stay in
Beirut They answered that for the
next few days they had none, as they
needed to rest, to see the town and
its neighborhood, and to buy good
horses-a matter in which perhaps
she could help them. Masouda nodded
again, and asked whittier they wished
to ride on horses.
"Out yonder," said Wulf, waving
his hands towards the mountains
I'VE desire to look upon the cedars of
Lebanon and it's great hills before we
go on towards Jerusalem"
"Cedars of lebanon" she replied
THAT is scarcely safe for two men
alone, for in those mountains are
many wild beasts and wild people who
rob and kill. Moreover. the lord of
these mountains has just now quar-
rel with the Christians, and would
take any whom he found prisoners"
How is that lord named?" asked
Goodwin.
"sinan," she answered, and they
noted that she looked round quickly
as she spoke the word.
"Oh," he said, 1--WE thought the
name was Jebal"
Now she stared at him with wide,
wondering eyes, and replied:
He is so called also; but, Sir Pill
grims, what know you of the dread
lord Al-jebal?"
"Only that he lives at place called
Masyaf which we wish to visit
Again she stared.
Are you mad?" she queried, then
checked herself, and clapped her
hands for the slave to remove the
dishes.
While this was being done they said
they would like to walk abroad.
Good" answered Masouda; ''the
man shall accompany you-nay, it is
best that you do not go alone, as you
might lose your way. Also, the place
is not always safe for strangers, how
ever humble they may SEEM she add
ed with meaning. would you wish
to visit the governor at the castle,
where there are a few English knights,
also some priests who give advice to
pilgrims?"
I'VE think not" answered Goodwin;
1--WE are not worthy of such high COM
pany. But. lady, why do you look at
us so Strangely"
II am wondering, Sir Peter and Sir
John, why you think it worth while
to tell lies to a poor widow? Say, in
your own country did you ever hear
of certain twin brethren named-oh,
how are they named ?-Sir Goodwin and
Sir Wuf of the house of Darcy,
which has been told of in this land?"
Now Godwins jaw dropped, but
Wulf laughed out loud, and seeing
that they we're alone in the room, for
the slave had departed, asked in his
turn:
Surely those twins would be pleased
to find themselves so famous. But
how did you chance to hear of them,
o widowed hostess of a Syrian inn?'
81? Oh, from a man on the dromon
who called here while I made ready
Your food, and told me strange story
that he had learned in England Of
band sent by Salah-ed-d in-may his
name be accursed!-to capture GER
tain lady. OF how the brethren named
Goodwin and Wuf fought all that band
also-aye, and held them off-a very
knightly deed he said it NASHVILLE
the lady escaped; and of how after
wards they were taken in a snare, as
those are apt to be who deal with the
Sultan, and this time the lady was
snatched away"
"A wild tale truly said Goodwin.
But did this man tell your further
whether that lady CHANGED to come
to Palestine?"
She shook her head.
"Of that he told me nothing, and
have heard nothing. Now, listen, my
guests. You think 1t strange that l
should know so much, but it is not
strange, since here in Syria, knowl-
edge is the business OF some of us.
Did you then believe, o foolish children,
that two knights like you, who have
played a part in a very great story,
whereof already whispers run through
cut the East, could travel by land
and sea and not be known? Did you
then think that none were left behind
to watch your movements and make
report of them to that mighty one
who sent out the ship of war, charged
with a certain mission? Well, what
he knows, / know. Have l not said It
is my business to know? Now, why
do ! tell you this? Well. perhaps be-
cause I like such knights as you are,
and 1 like that tale of two men who
stood side by side upon a pier, while
woman swan the stream behind
them, and afterwards, sore wounded,
charged their way through host OF
foes In the East we love such deeds
or chivalry. Perhaps also / would warn
you not to throw away lives so gal
liant by attempting to win through the
guarded gates of Damascus upon the
Of oil fa