The San Francisco call., 1905-01-08
CHAPTER TX.
The Horses Flame and Smoke.

GodWln ana Wult round they were no
longer alone in the house, for sundry
other guests sat there partaking of
their morning meal. Among them were
a grave merchant from Damascus, an
other from Alexandria In Egypt, man
who seemed to be an Arab chief, a Jew
of Jerusalem, and none other than the
English trader Thomas of Ipswich,
their fellow passenger, who greeted
them warmly. Truly they were a
strange and motley set of men. Con-
sidering them as the young and stately
Widow Masouda moved from one TO the
other, talking to each in turn while she
attended to their wants, it came into
Godwin's mind that they might be spies
meeting there to gain or exchange in
formation or even TO make report to
their hostess, in whose pay perhaps
they were. Still If SO, of this they
showed no sign, speaking for the most
part in French, which all of them un-
derstood, on general matters, such as
the heat of the weather, the price OF
transport animals or merchandise, and
the cities whittier they purposed to
travel.
The trader Thomas, il seemed, had
intended to start for Jerusalem that
morning with his goods. But the rid
ing mule he had bought proved to be
lame from a prick in the hoof, nor were
all his hired camels come down from
the mountains, so that he must wait a
few days or SO, he said. Under these
circumstances he offered the brethren
his company in their ramblings about
the town. This they thought it wise
not to refuse, although they felt little
confidence in the man, believing that 1t
was he who had found out their story
and true names and revealed them to
Masouda, either through talkativeness
or with a purpose.
However these things might be, this
Thomas proved of service to them,
since, although he was but just landed,
he seemed to know all that had passed
in Syria since he left it and all that
was passing then. Thus he told them
how Guy of Lusignan had just made
himself King Of Jerusalem on the death
of the child Baldwin, and how Ray
mond of Tripoli refused to acknowledge
him and was about to be besieged in
Tiberias. How Saladin also was gath
ering a great host at Damascus to
make war upon the Christians, and
many other things, false and true.
In his company, then, and sometimes
in that of the other guests-none of
whom showed any curiosity concerning
them though whether this was from
good manners or from other reasons
they could not be sure-the brethren
passed the hours profitably enough.
1t was on the third morning of their
stay that their hostess, Masouda, with
whom as yet they had no further pri-
vate talk, asked them that if they had
not said that they wished to buy horses.
On their answering Yes" she added
that she had told certain man to
bring two for them to look at, which
were now in the stable beyond the
garden. Thither they went, accom-
panied by Masouda, to find grave
Arab. wrapped in a garment Of camel's
hair and carryiTg spear in his hand,
standing at the uoor of the cave which,
as is common l. the East where the
heat is so great, served the purpose of
a stable AS they advanced toward him
Masouda said:
IF you like the horses, leave me to
bargain, and seem to understand moth
ing of my talk.
The Arab, who took no notice of them,
saluted Masouda and said to her in
rabic:
rs 1t then for Franks that I have
been ordered to bring the two priceless
ones?"
What is that to you. my uncle, Son
of the Sand?" she asked. Let them
be led forth that / may know whether
they are those for which 1 sent"
The man turned and called through
the door of the cave.
Flame, come hither!" AS he spoke,
there was sound of hoofs, and through
the low archway leapt the most beau
tiful horse that ever their eyes had
seen. 1t was gray in color with flow
ing name and tail, and on it's forehead
was a black star; nor over tall, but
with q barrel-like shape of great
strength, small-headed, large-eyed,
wide nostriled large -boned, but fine be-
meath the knee, and round-hoofed. Out
it sprang, snorting; then seeing its
master, the Arab, checked itself and
stood still by him as though it had
been turned to stone.
Come hither, Smoke" called the
Arab again, and another horse ap-
peared and ranged itself by the first.
IN size and shape it was the same, but
the color was coal-black and the star
upon it's forehead white. Also the eye
was more fiery.
These are the horses" said the
Arab, Masouda translating. They are
twins, years old and never backed un-
til they were 6, cast at a birth by the
swiftest mare In Syria, and Of a pedi-
gree that can be counted for a hundred
years"
Horses indeed!" said Wulf. Horses
indeed! But what Is the price of
them?"
Masouda repeated the question in
Arabic, whereon the man replied In
the same tongue with a slight shrug
of the shoulders.
BE not foolish. You know this Is
no question of price, for they are be-
yond price. Say what you WILL
He says" said Masouda, that 1t Is
a hundred gold pieces for the pair.
Can you pay as much?"
The brethren looked at each other.
The sum was large.
such horses have saved mems lives
ere now" added Masouda, land I do
not think that / can ask him to take
less. seeing that did he but know it, in
Jerusalem they could be sold for thrice
as much But If you wish, I could lend
YOU money, since doubtless you have
Jewels or other articles of value you
could give as security-that ring in
your breast, for instance Peter"
1--WE have the gold Itself" answered
Wulf, who would have paid to his last
piece for those horses.
.'They buy" said Masouda.
s"They buy, but can they rider
: asked the Arab. These horses are not
for children or pilgrims. Unless they
can ride well they shall not have them
no, not even il you ask it of me-
Goodwin said that he thought so-at
least, they would try. Then the Arab,
leaving the horses standing there, went
into the stable, and with the help of
two of the inn servants brought out
brides and saddles unlike any they
had seen. They were but thickly quilt
ed pads stretching far back upon the