The San Francisco call., 1905-01-08


having taken from it clean garments,
washed themselves after their long
journey with the water that had been
placed ready for them in great jars.
This, indeed, they needed for on that
crowded dromon there was little chance
of washing. By the time they had
clothed themselves afresh, putting on
their shirts of mail beneath their tun-
les, the Nubian came and led them 70
another room, large and lighted with
hlgh-set latticeS, where cushions were
piled upon the floor round a rug that
also was laid upon the floor. Motioning
them to be seated on the cushions, he
went away, to return again presently,
accompanied by Masouda bearing
dishes upon brass platters. These she
placed before them, bidding them eat
What that food was they did not know,
because of the sauces with which it had
been covered, until she told them that
it was fish. After the fish came flesh,
and after the flesh fowls, and after the
fowls cakes and sweetmeats and fruits,
days had fed upon Salted pork and
biscuits full Of worms washed down
with bad water, they were forced to
beg her to bring no more.
Drink another cup of wine at least,
she said, smiling and filling their mugs
with the sweet vintage of Lebanon
for it seemed to please her to see them
eat so heartily Of her fare.
They obeyed, mixing the wine with
water. While they drank she asked
them suddenly what were their plans,
and how long they wished to stay in
Beirut. They answered that for the
next few days sthey had none, as they
needed to rest, to see the town and its
neighborhood, and to buy good horses
matter in which perhaps she could
help them. Mascuda nodded again, and
asked whittier they wished to ride on
horses.
"Out yonder," said Wulf. waving his
hands toward the mountains. I'VE de-
sire to look upon the cedars of Lebanon
and its great hills before we go on to-
ward Jerusalem"
"Cedars of Lebancn?" she replied.
THAT is scarcely safe for two men
alone, for in those mountains are many
wild beasts and wild people who rob
and kill. Moreover, the lord of those
mountains has just now a quarrel with
the Christians, and would take any
whom he found prisoners
How is that lord named?" asked
Goodwin.
'Sinan," she answered. and they not
ed that she looked round quickly as
she spoke the word
Oh" he said, I'VE thought the name
was Jebal."
Now she stared at him with wide.
wondering eyes, and replied:
HE is so called also; but, Sir Pill
grins, what know you of the dread
lord Al-Jebal?"
only that he lives at place called
Masyaf, which we wish to visit"
Again she stared.
Are you mad?" she queried, then
checked herself, and clapped her hands
for the slave to remove the dishes.
While this was being done they said
they would like to walk abroad
Good answered Masouda; the
man shall accompany you-nay, it is
best that you do not go alone, as you
might lose your way. Also, the place
is not always safe for strangers, how
ever humble they may seem," she
added with meaning. Would you wish
to visit the Governor at the castle,
where there are few English knights,
also some priests who give advice to
pilgrims?"
eve think not" answered Goodwin;
1--WE are not worthy of such high COM
pany But, lady, why do you look at
us so Strangely"
Il am wondering, Sir Peter and Sir
John, why you think it worth while
to tell lies to poor widow? Say, in
your own country did you ever hear
of certain twin brethren named-oh,
how are they named ?-Sir Goodwin and
Sir Wulf of the house of Darcy, which
has been told of in this land?"
New Godwin's jaw dropped. but Wulf
laughed out loud, and seeing that they
were alone in the room, for the slave
had departed, asked in his turn:
Surely those twins would be pleased
to find themselves so famous. But how
did you chance to hear of them, o
widowed hostess of Syrian inn?'
Il? Oh, from man on the dromo
who called here while l made ready
your food, and told me a strange story
that he had learned in England of a
band sent by Salah-ed- -din-may his
name be accursed!-to capture a GER
tain lady. OF how the brethren named
Goodwin and Wulf fought all that band
also-aye, and held them off-a very
knightly deed he said it NASHVILLE the
lady escaped: and of how afterward
they were taken in snare, as those
are apt to be who deal with the Sultan,
and this time the lady was snatched
away"
"A wild tale truly" said Goodwin.
But did this man tell you further
whether that lady CHANGED to come to
Palestine?"
She shook her head.
"Of that he told me nothing, and I
have heard nothing. Now listen, my
guests. You think it strange that I
should know so much, but it is not
strange. since here in Syria, knowledge
is the business of some of u.s. Did
you then believe, oh foolish children,
that two knights like you, who have
played part in very great story,
whereof already whispers run through
out the East, could travel by land and
sea and not be known. Did you then
think that none were left behind to
watch your movements and make re-
port of them to that mighty one who
sent out the ship of war, charged with
a certain mission? Well, what he
knows I know. Have 1 not said it is
my business to know? Now why do
tell you this? Well, perhaps because I
like such knights as you are, and I
like that tale Of two men who stood
side by side upon pier, while a wom
an swan the stream behind them, and
afterward, sore wounded, charged their
way through a host Of foes. In the
East we love such deeds of chivalry.
Perhaps also I would warn you not to
throw away lives so gallant by at
tempting to win through the guarded
gates eof Damascus upon the maddest
of all quests
What, you still stare at me and
doubt? Good, have been telling you
lies. / was not awaiting you upon the
quay, and that porter with whom
seemed to quarrel was not charged to
seize your baggage and bring 1t to my
house. No spies watched your move