The San Francisco call., 1905-01-29


upon a rock, and by it the Bishop of
Acre. Then the smoke of the burning
grass rose up and hid it from their
sight.
Now began one of the most hideous
fights that is told of in the history OF
the world. Again and again the Sara
Gems attacked in thousands, and again
and again they were driven back by
the desperate valor of the Franks, who
fought on, their jaws agape with
thirst. A blackbearded man stumbled
up to the brethren, his tongue pro-
truding from his lips, and they knew
him for the Master Of the Templars.
For the love of Christ. give me to
drink" he said, recognizing them as
the Knights at whom he had Knocked
as watercarriers.
They gave him Of the little they had
left, and while they and their horses
drank the rest themselves, saw him rush
down the hill refreshed, shaking his
req sword. Then came a pause, and
Iney heard the voice of the Bishop of
Nazareth, who had clung to them all
TINS while saying, as though to himself:
And here it was that the Savior
preached the sermon on the mount
res, ne preached the words of peace
upon this spot. Oh! it cannot be that
l., ne VIII desert us-it cannot be-"
Whle the Saracens held off, the SOL
olers began to put up the Kings pavi-
non, and with IL other tents, around
the rock on which stood the cross.
DO you mean to camp here?" asked
Wulf bitterly
Peace" answered Goodwin; they
hope to make wall about the Rood.
But 1t is of no avail. for this is the
place Of my dream"
Wulf shrugged his shoulders.
AT least, let US die WELL" he said.
Then cf of To- oh
hillside rose dense volumes OF smoke,
and with the smoke came the Sara
Gems. Thrice they were driven
back; thrice they came on. At the
fourth onset few of the Franks could
fight more. for thirst had conquered
They lay down upon the dry grass
with gaping jaws and protruding
tongues, and let themselves be slain
or taken prisoners. A great company
of Ss.racen horsemen broke through
the rang and rushed at the scarlet
tent 1t rocked to and fro, then down
it fell in a red heap, entangling the
King in it's folds.
At the foot of the cross, Rufinus,
the Bishop of Acre, still fought on
bravely. Suddenly an arrow struck
him in the throat, and throwing his
arms wide, he fell to earth. Then
the Saracens hurled themselves upon
with mockery and spittings bore it
down the hill toward their camp, as
ants may be seen carrying a little
stick into their nest, while all who
were left alive of the Christian army
stared upward, as though they await
ed some miracle from heaven. But
no angels appeared in the brazen sky,
and knowing that God had deserted
them, they groaned aloud in their
shame and wretchedness.
Come" said Goodwin to Wulf in a
strange, quiet voice. I'VE have seen
enough. 1t is time to die. Look!
yCnder below us are the Mamelukes,
our old regiment, and among them
Saladin, for see his banner. Having
had water, we and our horses are
still fresh and strong. Now. let US
make an end of which they will tell in
Essex yonder. Charge for the flag Of
SaladinH'
Wulf nodded, and side by side they
sped down the hill. Scimitars flashed
at them, arrows struck upon their
mail, and the shields blazoned with
the deaths-head Darcy crest
Through ,it all they. went unscathed,
and while the army of the Saracens
stared, at the foot of the Horn of Hat
tin turned their horses heads straight
for the royal standard of Saladin.
On they struggled, telling or riding
down a foe at every stride. On, still
on, although Flame and Smoke bled
from a score of wounds.
They were among the Mamelukes,
where their line was thin. By heaveni
they were through them and riding
straight at the well known figure of
the Sultan, mounted on his white horse,
with his young son and his emir, the
Prince Hassan, at his side.
''Saladin for you, Hassan for me-"
shouted Wulf.
Then they met and all the host Of
Islam cried out in dismay as they saw
the Commander of the Faithful and
his horse borne to the earth before the
last despairing charge Of these mad
Christian knights. Another instant and
the Sultan was on his feet again and a
score of scimitars were striking at
Goodwin. His horse Flame sank down
dying, but he sprang from the saddle,
swinging his long sword. Now Saladin
recognized the crest upon his buckler
and cried out:
yield you, Sir Goodwin! You have
done well-yield you!"
But Goodwin, who would not yield,
answered:
when I am dead-not before"
Thereupon Saladin spoke a word and
while certain of the Mamelukes en-
gagged Goodwin in front, keeping out of
reach of that red and terrible sword,
others crept up behind and, springing
on him, seized his arms and dragged
him to the ground, where they bound
him fast.
Meanwhile Wulf had Jared otherwise,
for it was his horse Smoke, '~eady
stabbed to the vitals, that fell as he
plunged on Prince Hassan. Yet he also
arose but little hurt and cried out:
"Thus, Hassan, old foe and friend,
we meet at last in war. Come, pay
the debt you owe me for that drugged
wine, man to man and sword to sword"
Indeed, it is your due, Sir
Wulf," answered the Prince. laughing.
Guards, touch not this brave knight
who has dared so much to reach me.
Sultan. I ask boon of you. Between
Sir Wulf and me there is an ancient
quarrel that can only be washed away
in blood. Let it be decided here and
now and let this be your decree-that
if 1 fall in fair fight, none shall set
upon my conqueror and no vengeance
shall be taken for my blood"
Good" said Saladin. "Then Sir Wulf
shall be my prisoner and no more. as
his brother is already. i owe 1t to the
men who saved my life when we were
friends Give the Frank drink that the
fight may be fair"
So they gave Wulf cup of which he
drank and when he had done 1t was