The San Francisco call., 1905-02-05

payment of thirty thousand bezants.
Such who remain or have no money for
their ransom-and there is still much
gold in Jerusalem-shall become my
slaves. Those are my terms, which I
grant at the prayer of my niece, the
lady Rosamund, and to her prayer
alone. Deliver them to Sir Balian,
and bid him wait on me at the dawn
with his chief notables, and answer
whether he is going to accept them on
behalf OF the people II not. the as
saut goes on until the city is a heap
of ruins, covering the bones of it's chill
dlen."
I'VE bless you for this mercy" said
the Bishop Egbert, and we hasten to
obey. But tell us, Sultan, what shall
wo de? Return to the camp with Sii
Balian?''
If he accepts my terms, nay, for in
Jerusalem you will be safe, and l give
you your freedom without ransom
Sire, said Goodwin, .'ere l go grant
me leave to bid farewell to my brother
and my cousin Rosamund."
That for the third time you may
plot their escape from my vengeance?
said Saladin. Nay. bide in Jerusalem
and await my word; you shall meet
them at the last. no more
Sire" pleaded Goodwin, .'of your
mercy spare them, for they have played
noble part. 1t is hard that they
should die who love each other and are
so young and fair and brave
Aye, answered Saladin, "a noble
pair; never have seen one more noble
Well, it fits them the better for heaven,
if cross-worshipers enter there. Have
done; my purpose cannot be turned.
nor shall you see them till the last, as
l have said. But if it pleases you to
write to them letter of farewell and
to send 1T back by the embassy it shall
be delivered to them. Now go, for
greater matters are afoot than this
punishment of pair of lovers. A guard
awaits YOU
So they went, and within an hour
stood before Sir Balian and gave him
the message Of Saladin, whereat he rose
and blessed the name of Rosamund.
While he called his councillors from
their sleep and bade his servants sad
die horses, Goodwin found pen and
parchment and wrote hurriedlN
To Wulf, my brother, land Rosa
mund, my cousin and his betrothed-I
live, though well-nigh 1 died by dead
Masouda-Jesus rest her gallant soul,
Saladin will not suffer me TO see you,
though he has promised that / shall be
with you at the last so watch for me
then. 1 still hope that it may please
God to change the Sultan's heart and
spare you. If so. this is my prayer and
desire-that you two should wed as
soon as may be and get home to Eng
land, where. if 1 live. / hope to visit
you in years to be. Till then seek me
not, who would be lonely awhile. But
if it should be fated otherwise, then
when my sins are purged l will seek
you among the saints-you who by
your noble deed have earned the sure
grace of God
for more, though there is much to say.
Farewell. GOODWIN
The terms of Saladin had been ac-
cepted. With rejoicing because their
lives were spared, but with woe and
lamentation because the holy city had
fallen again into the hands of the Mos
lem. the people of Jerusalem made
ready to leave the streets and seek new
homes elsewhere. The great golden
Aksa and on every tower and wall
foated the yellow banners of SaIadin.
AIiJWho had money paid their ransoms
ana those who had none begged and
sborrowed it as they could, and If they
cuuld not. gave themselves over to de-
sspair and slavery. Only the Patriarch,
Heraclius, forgetting the misery of
these wretched ones, carried off his
own great treasure and the gold plate
of the churches.
Then Saladin showed his mercy. for
he freed the aged without charge, and
from his own treasure paid the ransom
of hundreds of ladies whose husbands
and fathers had fallen in battle or lay
in prison in other cities.
So for forty days, headed by Queen
Sybilla and her ladies. that sad pro-
cession of the vanquished marched
through the gates, and there were
many OF them who as they passed the
conqueror, seated in state, halted TO
make a prayer to him for those who
were left behind A few also remem-
bered Rosamund, and that it was be-
cause of her sacrifice that they contin
ued to look upon the sun, implored him
that If they were not already dead, he
would spare her and her brave knight.
AT length 1t was over and Saladin
took possession of the city. Having
purged the Great Mosque, washing it
with rose water, he worshiped in it
after his own fashion and distributed
the remnant of the people who could
pay no ransom as slaves among his
emirs and followers. Thus did the
crescent triumph over the cross in
Jerusalem, not in sea of blood, as
ninety years before the cross had tri-
umphed over the crescent within it's
walls, but with what in those days
passed for gentleness, peace and
mercy.
For it was left to the Saracens to
teach something of their own doctrines
to the followers of Christ
During all those forty days Rosa
mund and Wulf lay in their separate
prisons, awaiting their doom of death.
The letter of Goodwin was brought to
Wulf, who read it and rejoiced to
learn that his brother lived Then it
was taken from him to Rosamund.
who, although she rejoiced also, wept
over it, and wondered little what it
might mean. OF one thing she was
sure from it's wording, that they had
no hope of life.
They knew that Jerusalem had
fallen, for they heard the shouts of
triumph of the Moslems and from far
away, through their prison bars could
see the endless multitude Of fugitives
passing the ancient gates laden with
baggage, and leading their children by
the hand, to seek refuge in the cities
of the coast. At this sight. although it
was so sad. Rosamund rejoiced. know
ing also that she would not suffer in
vain.
AT length the camp broke up, Saladin
and many of the soldiers entering Jeru-
salem, but still the pair were left lam