The San Francisco call., 1905-01-08

little keg which, it will be remem-
bered, had been stood ready upon the
. .tfestles, and bending over 1t, while he
drew the spigots, filled the vessels to
Nhe brim. Then he beckoned to a
Reeve sitting at the lower table to
bring him a leather jack that stood
upon the board. Having rinsed ii out
with wine, he filed that also, handing
i: 1t with the jug to the reeve to drink
their lords health on this Yule night.
The silver vessel he bore back to the
high table and with his own hand
filed the horn cups of all present,
Rosamund alone excepted, for. she
would touch none, although he
pressed her hard and looked vexed at
her refusal Indeed, it was because
it seemed to pain the man that Sir
Andrew. ever courteous, took a little
himself, although, when his back was
turned, he filled the goblet UP with
water. AT lolgth. when all was ready.
G.eorSios charged, or seemed to
said:
Let US drink, every one of us here,
to the noble knight, Sir Andrew
. darcy to whom I wish, in the phrase
of my own people, that he may live
forever. Drink, friends, drink deep,
for never VIII wine such as this pass
your lips again." Then, lifting his
beaker, he appeared to drain it in
great sulps-an example which all
followed, even Sir Andrew drinking
little from his cup, which was three
parts filled with water Then fol-
IoWeo long murmur of satisfaction.
Wine! 1t is nectar," said Wulf.
Aye" put in the chaplain, Matthew:
Adam might have drunk this in the
garden" while from the lower table
came Jovial shouts of praise of this
smooth, creamlike vintage.
Certainly that wine was both rich
ana strong. Thus, after his sup of it,
a Vell seemed as it were to fall on the
mind of Sir Andrew and cover il IN. IT
.lHted again, and 10! his brain was full
OF memories and foresights. ssircum-
stances which he had forgotten for
many years came back to him, al
together. like a crowd of children
tumpling out to play. These passed,
and he grew suddenly afraid. Yet
What had he to fear that night? The
gates across the moat were locked and
guarded. Trusty men, a score or more
OF them, ate in his outbuildings with
IN tnose gates; while others, still more
trusted, sat in his hall; and on his right
hand and 81 his left were those two
strong and valiant knights. Sir God
win and Sir Wulf. No, there was moth
ing to fear-and yet he felt afraid. Sud
IDENTIFY he heard a voice speak. It was
TIoSamund s; and she said:
why is there such silence, father?
"A while ago 1 heard the servants end
Donosmen carousing in the barn: now
they arc still as death Oh. and look.
Are all here drunken? Goodwin"
But as she spoke Godwin's head fell
forward on the board, while WuIf rose.
half drew his sword. then threw his
arm about the neck of the priest, and
sank with him to the ground. AS it
was with these, so it seemed with all,
Tor folk rocked to and fro, then sank
to sleep, every one of them, save the
merchant Georgios, who rose to call
another toast.
Stranger" said Sir Andrew, in a
heavy voice, your wine is very
strong"
1T would seem so, Sir Knight" he
answered, but 1 will wake them from,
their wassail." Springing from the
dais lightly as a cat, he ran down the
nan srylng, Air is what they need.
AR. Now. coming to the door he
threw II open, and, drawing a silver
whistle from his robe. blew it long
ana loud. What" he laughed, do
tney still sleep? Why then, 1 must
give a toast that will rouse them all"
ana seizlng horn mug, he waved it
and shouted:
Arouse you, We drunkards. and
drink to the Lady Rose of the World.
Princess eff Baalbec. and niece to my
royal master, Yusuf Salah-ed- din, who
sends me to lead her to him."
Oh, father shrieked Rosamund.
the vine was drugged and we are
betrayed"
AS the words passed her lips there
rose the sound of running feet, and
through the open door of the far end
OF the hall burst in a score of armed
men. Then at last Sir Andrew saw
and understood.
With roar of rage like that of
wounded lion, he seized his daughter
and dragged her back with him down
the passage into the solar, where a
fire burned and lights had been lit
ready for their retiring, fiinging to
ana bolting the door behind them.
Swift" he said, as he tore his gown
from him. there is no escape. but at
least l can die fighting for you. Give
me my mail"
She snatched the hauberk from the
vail and While they thundered at the
door, did it on to him-aye, and his
steel helm also, and gave him his long
sword and his shield.
Now" he said, help me- And
they thrust the oak table forward. and
oVerset II in front Of the door, and
threw the chairs and stools on either
slde, That men might stumble on them.
lhere is bow" he said, and YOU
can use Il as | have taught you. Get
TO one size and out of reach of the
sword sweeps, and shoot past me as
they rush; it may stay one of them.
ON, that Goodwin and Wulf were here.
ana we would still learn these Paynim
dogs a lesson.'
Rosamund made no answer but there
came into her mind vision of the
agony OF Goodwin and of Wulf should
they ever awake again to learn what
mad chanced to her and them. She
looked around. Against the wall stood
little desk, at which Goodwin was
wont 70 write, and on it lay pen and
parchment. She seized them. and as
the door gave slowly inward.
scraw1ed:
Follow me to Saladin. In that homo
/ live on. Rosamund."
Thea as the stout door at length
crashed inward she turned what She
had written face downward on fhe
desk, and seizing the bow, set an ar
row on it's string. Now it was down
and on rushed the mob up the six feet
OF narrow passage. At the end of n
in front of the overturned table thew
halted suddenly. For there before
before them, skulf-emblazoned, shield
on arm, his long sword lifted, and a
terrible wrath burning in his ewes.
stood the old knight, like wulf at
bay, and by his side bow in hand tba