The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-25

strength. and the skill he had in
bout at home. enabled him to prevail,
and, while they hung together on the
perilous edge of the gulf, to free his
right hand, draw his poniard and make
an end.
yet" added Wulf. never shall
forget the look of that mans eyes as
he fell backward or the whistling
scream which came from his pierced
throat"
AT least there is a rogue the less in
the world. although he was a brave
one in his own knavish fashion," an
swered Goodwin. Moreover, my
brother" he added placing his arm
about Wulf's neck, II am glad Ii fell
to you to fight him, for at the last
grip your might overcame, where l,
who am not so strong, should have
failed. Further, 1 think you did well
to show mercy, as good knight should;
that thereby you have gained great
honour, and that, if his spirit can see
through the darkness, our dead uncle
is proud of you now, as l am, my
brother"
II thank you," replied Wulf sim
ply but in this hour of torment. who
can think of such things as honour
gained or lost?"
Then, lest he should grow stiff, who
was sorely bruised beneath his mail,
they began to walk up and down the
cave from where the horses stood to
where the two dead Assassins lay by
the door, the faint light cleaning upon
their stern, dark features. Ill COM
pany they seemed in that silent, lone
ly place.
The time crept on; the moon sank
towards the mountains.
What if they do not conner" asked
Wulf.
Let us wait to think of it till
dawn" answered Goodwin.
Again they walked the length of
the cave and back.
How can they come, the door be-
ing barred?" asked Wulf
How did Masouda come and go?"
answered Goodwin. ooh, question me
no more; it is in the hand of God"
Look" said Wulf, in a whisper.
who stand yonder at the end of the
cave-there by the dead men?"
Their spirits, perchance,' answered
Goodwin, drawing his sword and lean
ing forward. Then he looked, and true
enough there stood two figures family
outlined in the gloom. They glided to-
ward them. and now the level moon
light shone upon their white robes
and cleaned in the gems they wore.
II cannot see them' said a voice.
Ol L1OSG Qtdu SQluiGIS-Mtldl QO lHEyl
portend?"
"At least yonder stand their horses"
answered another voice.
Now the brethren guessed the truth,
and, like men in dream stepped for
ward from the shadow of the wall.
'Rosamundl" they said.
"Oh Godwnl oh Wulf!" she cried
in answer. oh! Jusu, l thank Thee,
/ thank Thee-Thee. and this brave
woman" and casting her arms about
Masouda she kissed her on the face
Masouda pushed her back, and said,
in voice that was almost harsh:
1T is not fitting, princess, that your
pure lips should touch the cheek of a
woman of the Assassins."
But Rosamund would not be re-
pulsed.
1T is most fitting" she sobbed,
that / should give you thanks who
but for you must also become a woman
of the Assassins', or an inhabitant of
the House of Death"
Then Masouda kissed her back. and
thrusting her away into the arms of
Wulf, said roughly:
so, pilgrims Peter and John, your
patron saints have brought you
through so far; and, John, you fight
right we'll. Nay, do not stop for our
story, If you wish US to live to tell 1t.
What! You have the soldiers horses
with your own? Well donel ! did
not credit you with so much wit. Now,
Sir Wulf, can you walk? Yes; so
much the better: 1t will save you a
rough ride for this place is steep,
though not so steep as one you know
Of. Now, set the princess upon Flame,
for no cat is surer footed than that
horse, as you may remember, Peter.
/ who know the path will lead 1t. John,
take you the other two; Peter, do you
follow last OF all with Smoke, and,
If they hang back, prick them with
your sword. Come, Flame, be not
afraid, Flame. Where I go, you can
come" and Masouda thrust her way
through the bushes and over the edge
Of the cliff, talking to the snorting
horse and pat.ing its neck.
A minute more and they were
scrambling down a mountain ridge so
steep that 1t seemed as though they
must fall and be dashed to pieces at
the bottom. Yet. they fell not, for
made as it had been to meet such hours
Of need, this road was safer than It
appeared with ridges cut in the rock
at the worst places.
Down they went, and down, till at
length, painting, but safe, they stood
at the bottom of the darksome gulf
wnere only the starlight shone, for
here the rays of the low moon could
| not reach.
Mount" said Masouda. Princess,
stay you on Flame, he is the surest
and the swiftest. Sir Wuf, keep your
own horse Smoke; your brother and
will ride those of the soldiers. Though
not very swift, doubtless they are good
beasts and accustomed to such roads,
Then she leaped to the saddle as a
woman born in the desert can, and
pushed her horse in front.
For a mile or more Masouda led
| them along the rocky bottom OF the
| gulf, where because Of the stones they
| could only travel at a foot pace, till
| they came to a deep cleft on the left
| hand, up which they began 10 ride.
| BY now the moon was quite behind
| the mountains, and such faint light
as came from the stars began to be
obscured with drifting clouds. Still,
| they stumbled on till they reached a
little glade where water ran and grass
| grew.
Halt" said Mssouda. Here we
must walt till dawn, for IN this dark
ness the horses cannot keep their foot
ing on the stones. Moreover. all about
US lie precipices, over one OF which
we might fall"
Continued IN Next Sundays News.
-~-o~~
The nrfncfnaI ~ the school uyae