The San Francisco call., 1905-02-05
CHAPTER XXI.
What Befen Goodwin.

AT the village of Bittir. some seven
miles from Jerusalem. the embassy dis
mounted to rest, then again they
pressed forward down the valley in the
hope of reaching the Zion Gate before
the midday heat was upon them- Al
the end of this valle-- sWelled the
shoulder of a hill whence the eye could
command it's length. and on the crest
of that shoulder appeared suddenly a
man and woman. seated on beautiful
horses. The compan- halted, fearing
lest these might herald scme attack
and that the woman was a man dis
guised to deceive them. While they
waited thus irresolute the pair upon
the hill turned their horses heads and
notwithstanding its Steepness began to
gaIlOp toward them very swiftly. Wulf
looked at them curiously and, said to
Goodwin:
Now I am put in mind of certain
ride which Cnce we took outside the
walls of Beirut Almost could / think
that yonder Arab wds he who sat be-
hind my saddle and yOnder woman she
who rode with you and that those two
horses were Flame and Smoke reborn
Note their whirlwind pace and strength
and stride"
Almost as he finished speaking the
strangers pulled up their steeds fn,front
of the company. to whom the man
bowed his salutations. Then Goodwin
saw his face and knew him at once as
the old Arab called Son Of the Sand
who had given them the horses FIame
and Smoke.
Sir" said the Arab to the leader OF
the embassy. Il have come to ask a
favor Of yonder knights who ride with
you, which l think that they, who have
ridden my horses, will NOT refuse to
me. This woman and he pointed TO
the closely veiled shape of his COM
panion, lis relative of mine whom /
desire to deliver TO friends in Jeru-
salem, but dare not do so myself be-
cause of the hill-dwellers between here
and there, who are hostile my tribe.
She is of the Christian faith and no
spy, but cannot speak your language
Within the south gate she viii be met
by her relatives. l have spoken
Let the knights settle It," said tha J
commander, Struggling his shoulders
impatiently and spurring his horse.
Surely we will take her.. said God
win, though what we shall do with
her If her friends are wanting do not
know. Come, lady. ride between u.s.
She turned her head TO the Arab as
though in question, and he translated
the words, whereon she fell into the
place that was shown to her between
and little behind the brethren.
Perhaps" went on the Arab to God
win. you have learned more of our
tongue than you knew when we met
in past days at Beirut. and. rode the
mountain side on the good horses
Flame and Smoke. Still, IL so. pray
you of your knightly courtesy disturb
not this woman with your words nor
ask her to unveil her face since such
is not the custom of her people 1t is
but an hours journey to the city gate
during which you will be troubled with
her. This is the payment that ask
of you for the two good horses which.
as am told. bore you none so i'll upon
the Marrow Way and across plain and
mountain when you fed from Sinan.e
and on the evil day of Hattin when
you unhorsed Salah-ed-din and slew
Hassan.
1T shall be as you wish" said Cod
win; and. Son OF the Sand. we thank
you for those horses"
Good When you want more. let
it be known In the marketplaces that
you seek me-. and he began to turn
his horses head
Stay" said Goodwin. Know you
anything of Masouda, your niece2 is
she with you
Nay" answered the Arab in low
voice, ~but she bade me be in a cer- Z
tain garden of which you wot, near
Ascalon, at an appointed hour. to take
her away. as she was leaving the camp
of Salah-ed-din- So tilither I go Fare
we'll" Then with a reverence TO the
veiled lady. he took his relns and de-
parted like an arrow by the road along
which they had ceme.
Goodwin gave sigh OF relief II Ma
SCUBA had appointed to meet her uncle.
the Arab, at least she must be safe 80