The San Francisco call., 1905-01-29


"That other traitor who also has es-
capped" snarled the Master.
Then Saracen guards dragged him
away and they were parted.
BY now the pavilion was UP and Sa-
ladin entered 1t, saying:
Bring before me the King Of the
Franks and Prince Arnat, he who Is
called Reginald of Chatillon."
Then thought struck him. and he
called to Goodwin and Wulf, saying:
"Sir knights, you know our tongue;
give up your swords to the officer-they
shall be returned to you-and come, be
my interpreters.
So the brethren followed him into the
tent. where presently were brought the
wretched King and the gray-haired
Reginald de Chatillon, and with them
few other great knights, who, even
in the midst Of their misery, stared at
Goodwin and Wulf In wonderment. Sa-
ladin read the look, and lest their pres
ence should be misunderstood, said:
king and mobiles, be not mistaken.
These knights are my prisoners, as you
are, and none have shown themselves
Drawer to-day, or done me and mine
more damage. Indeed. had 1t not been
for my guards, within the hour
should have fallen beneath the sword
OF Sir Goodwin. But as they know
Arabic, I have asked them to render
my words into your tongue Do you
accept them as interpreters7 If not.
others must be found"
When they had translated this, the
King said that he accepted them, add
ing to Goodwin:
Would that had also accepted you
two nights gone as an interpreter Of
the will Of heaven!"
The Sultan bade his captains be
seated, and seeing their terrible thirst,
commanded slaves to bring a great
bowl Of sherbet made of rose water,
cooled with snow. and with his own
hands gave it to King Guy. He drank
in great gulps then passed the bowl
to Reginald de Chatillon. whereon
Saladin cried out to Goodwin:
Say to the King it is he and not
1 VINO gives this man to drink. There
IS no bond Of salt between me and the
Prince Arnat.'
Goodwin translated, sorrowfully
enough, and Reginald. who knew the
habits of the Saracens, answered:
mo need to explain, Sir Knight;
those words are my death warrant.
Well, 1 never expected less"
Then Saladin spoke again.
Prince Arnat, you strove to take
the holy city of Mecca and to desc
crate the tomb of the prophet, and
then swore to kill you. Again, when
In time Of peace a caravan came
from Egypt and passed by Esh-Sho-
bek, where you were, forgetting your
oath, you fell upon them and slew
them. They asked for mercy in the
name of Allah, saying that there was
truce between Saracen and Frank. But
you mocked them, telling them to seek
from Mahomet, in whom they trusted.
Then for the second time l swore to
kill you. Yet l give YOU one more
chance. Will you subscribe the Koran
and embrace the faith of Islam. Or
will you dep
Now the lips of Reginald turned
pale and for moment he swayed
upon his seat. Then his courage
came back to him and he answered in
a strong voice:
Sultan, l will have none of your
mercy at such price, nor do 1 bow
the knee to your dog Of a false
prophet, who perish in the faith of
Christ, and, being weary of the world,
am content to go to him.
Saladin sprang to his feet, his very
beard bristling with wrath, and draw
ing his saber, shouted aloud:
You scorn Mahomet! Beholdi I
ayenge Mahomet upon you! Take him
away!" Then he struck him with the
fiat of his scimitar.
Then Mamelukes leaped upon the
Prince. Dragging him to the entrance
of the tent, they forced him to his
knees and there beheaded him in sight
of the soldiers and of the other pris-
oners.
Thus, braveIy enough, died Reginald
de Cnatillon, whom the Saracens called
Prince Arnat. In the hush that fol-
lowed this terrible deed King Guy said
to Goodwin:
ASK the Sultan if it is my turn
next"
Nay" answered Saladin; kings do
not kill kings, but that breaker
has met with no more than his de-
serts.''
Then came a scene still more dread
p full. Saladin went to the door Of his
tent, and standing over. the body of
Reginald, bade them parade the cap
tive Templars and Hospitalers before
him. They were brought to the num-
Der of over two hundred, for it was
easy to distinguish them by the red and
white crosses on their breasts.
These also are faith breakers" he
shouted, "and of their unclean tribes
will I rid the world. Ho! my emirs
and doctors of the law" and he turned
to the great crowd of his captains
about him, take each Of you one of
them and kill him.
Now the emirs hung back, for though
fanatics they were brave, and loved
not this slaughter of defenseless men,
and even the Mamelukes murmured
aloud.
But Saladin cried again:
"They are worthy of death, and he
who disobeys my command shall him
self be slain.''
Sultan said Goodwin, 1--WE cannot
witness such crime; we ask that we
may die with them"
Nay" he answered; you have eaten
of my salt, and to kill you would be
murder. Get you to the, tent of the
Princess of Baalbec yonder, for there
you will see nothing of the death of
these Franks, your fellow -worshipers." 4"
So the brethren turned, and led by a
Mameluke, fled aghast for the first time
in their lives, past the long line of
Templars and Hospitalers, who in the
last red light Of the dying day knelt
upon the sand and prayed, while the
enirs came up to kill them.
They entered the tent, none forbid
ding them, and at the end of it saw
two women crouched together on some
cushions, who rose, clinging to each
other. Then the women sprang for
ward with cry Of joy, saying:
so you live-you live!"
Aye, Rosamund," answered Goodwin,
ito sec this shame-would God that we
did not--while others die They mur-
der the knights of the holy orders. To
your knees and pray for their passing
souls.''
So thew knaIt DOWN ana pravad +ilI