The St. Louis Republic., 1905-12-31

lark by the little merlin. But the King soon tired a
this petty spogt and went slowly On his way, stil
with the magnificent silent attendant tapping above
his head.
lis she not a noble bird, fair son?" he asked.
glancing up as her shadow fen upon him.
She IS indeed. sire. Surely no finer ever came
from the isles Of the NORTH
perhaps not. and yet have had hawk from
Barbary as good q footer and q swifter flier. An
Eastern bird in yalak has no peer"
II had one once from the Holy Land" said Dc
Nanny. 1T was fierce and keen and swift q ths
Saracens themselves. They say Of old Saladin that
in his day his breed Of birds. Of hounds and Of HOSES
had no equal on earth"
II trust. dear father. that the day may come
when We shall lay our hands on an three" said the
Prince. looking with shining eyes upon the kim
is the Holy Land to lie forever IN the grasp a
these unbeheving savages, OF the Holy Temple to
be defiIed by their foul psesencel All! my dear
and most sweet lord. give to me a thousand hnces
with ten thousand b0wmen like those I led at
Crecy. and I swear to you by Gods soul that
within year / win have done homage to you for
the Kingdom Of Jerusalem!"
The King laughed as he turned to Walter Nanny.
Boys win sti1 be boys" said he.
The French do not count me such!" csSed IT,
young Prince, flushing with anger.
Nay. fair son. there Is no sets you at higher
rate than your father. But. you have the nimb1e
mind and quick fancy Of youth. turning over from
the thing that IS half done to further task beyond
How would we fare in Brittany and Normandy
while my young paladin with his lhnces and hi
bowmen was beseging Ascalon O. battesing as
Jcrusajcm?"
"Heaven would help in Heavens work"
From what have heard Of the past" said the
King dryly, IL cannot sec that Heaven has counted
for much as an ally in these wars Of the East. I
speak with reverence. and yet Is but sooth to say
that Richard Of the Lion Heart o. Louis Of France
might have found the smallest earthly psincpalty
Of greater service to him than an the celestial hosts
How say you to that. my Locd Bishopl"
A stout churchman who had ridden behind the
King ON a solid bay cob. well-suited to his weight
and dignity. logged up to the monasch's elbow.
How say you. sirel l was watching the soshawk
on the partridge and heard you not"
Had ! said that I would add two manoss to the
See Of Chichester. l warrant that you would have
heard me- my Lord Bishop"
may. fair lord. test the matter by saying so,"
cried the jovial Bishop.
The King laughed aloud "A fair counter. your
reverence. By the rood! you broke your lance that
passage. But the question / debated was this:
How is It that since the Crusades have manifestly
been fought in Gods quarrel. We Christians have
had 50 little comfort OF support in fighting them.
After all our efforts and the loss Of men than
could be counted. NC are at last driven from the
country. and even the military orders which were
formed only for that one purpose can scarce hold
footing in the islands Of the Greek sea. There =
not one seaport nor ono fortress in Palestine over
which the flag Of the Cross still waves. Where then
was our ally!"
NAY. sire. you open q great debate which
extends far beyond this question of the Holy Land
though that may indeed be chosen as a fair example
1t is the question Of an sin, Of an SUFFERING Of an
injustcc-why it should pass without the rain of
fire and the light
- nings Of Sinai. The
wisdom Of God =
- beyond our undes.