The San Francisco call., 1905-01-08

Sir Peter and Sir John, and as such
they were known throughout the voy-
age.
The brethren were seated together in
little place apart in the bow of the
ship, and engaged, Goodwin in reading
from an Arabic translation of the Cos
pels made by some Egyptian monk, and
Wulf in following it with little ease in
the Latin version. OF the former
tongue, indeed. they had acquired much
IN their youth, since they learned it
from Sir Andrew with Rosamund, al
though they could not talk it as she
did, had been taught TO lisp it as an in
liant by her mother. Knowing that
much might hang upon knowledge of
TINS tongue, they occupied their long
Journey IN studying it from such books
as they could get; also in speaking it
with a priest, who had spent many
years in the East, and instructed them
for fee, and with certain Syrian mer-
chants and sailors.
Shut the book, brother" said
WulI; there is Lebanon at last" and
he pointed to the great line of noun
talns revealing themselves dimly
Glad am to see them, who have
had enough of these crooked scrolls
and learnings."
Aye" said Goodwin; the Promised
Land
And the Land of Promise for u.s."
answered his brother. We'll, thank
God that the time has come to act.
though how we are to set about it is
more than can say"
Doubtless time will show. AS our
uncle bade, we will seek out this
Sheik Jebal-'
"Hush!" said Wulf, for just then
some merchants, and with them a
number of pilgrims, their travel-worn
faces full of rapture at the thought
that the terrors Of the voyage were
done and they were about to set foot
upon the ground their Lord had trod-
den, crowded forward to the bow to
obtain their first view of it and there
burst into prayers and songs of
Thanksgiving. Indeed, one of these
men-a trader known as Thomas of
lpswich-was, they found, standing
close to them and seemed as though
he listened to their talk.
The brethren mingled with them
while this same Thomas of Ipswich,
who had visited the place before, or
SO 1t seemed, pointed out the beauties
of the city, of the fertile country by
which 1t was surrounded and of the
distant cedar-clad mountains where,
as he said, Hiram, King of Tyre, had
cut the timber for Solomon's Temple
Wulf.
Aye, following my business he
answered, 80 far" And he showed
them great snow-capped peak to
the north. Few ever go farther"
Why not?" asked Goodwin.
Because there begins the territory
of the Sheik Al-Jebal''-and he looked
at them whom" he add
ed, neither Christian nor Saracen
visits without an invitation, which is
seldom given"
They inquired why not.
Because" answered the trader
%ill watching them, most men love
their lives, and that man is the lord
of death and magic. Strange things
are to be seen in his CASTLE and about
Its wonderful gardens, inhabited by
lovely women that are evil spirits, who
bring the souls of men to ruin. Also,
this. old man of the mountain is a
great murderer, of whom even all the
princes of the East gre terrified, for
he speaks a word to his fedais-or
servants-who are initiated, and they
go forth and bring to- death any whom
he hates. Young men, 1 like you well,
and l say to you, be warned. In this
Syria there are many wonders to be
seen; leave those of Masyaf and its
fearful lord alone if you desire to look
again upon the towns of Lincoln
Fear not; we will,' answered God
win, who come to seek holy places
not haunts of devils.''
"Of course, we WILL" added Wulf.
Still, that country must be worth
travelling in.''
Then boats came out to greet them
from the shore--for at that time Bel
rut was in the hands of the Franks
and in the shouting and confusion
which followed they saw no more of
this merchant, Thomas. Nor did they
seek him out again, since they thought
it unwise to show themselves too Curl
Gus about the Sheik Al-Jebal. Indeed,
1T would have been useless, since he
was ashore two full hours before they
were suffered to leave the ship, from
which he departed alone in a private
boat.
At length they stood in the motley
Eastern crowd upon the quay, wonder
ing where they could find an inn that
was quiet and of cheap charges, since
they did not wish TO be considered per-
sons of wealth or Importance. AS they
fingered here, somewhat bewildered,
tall, veiled woman whom they had
noted watching them drew near, ac-
companied by porter, who led a DON
key. This man, without more ado,
seized their baggage, and helped by
other porters began to fasten it upon
the back of the donkey with great ra-
pidity, and when they would have
forbidden him, pointed to the yelled wo-
man.
Your pardon" said Goodwin to her
at length and speaking in French.
"but this man"
Loads up your baggage to take 1t to
my inn. 1t is cheap, quiet and COM
fortable-things which I heard you say
you required just now, did I not?" she
answered in q sweet voice, also speak
ing in good French.
Goodwin looked at Wulf, and Wulf at
Goodwin, and they began to discuss to-
gether what they should do. When
they had agreed that it seemed not
wise to trust themselves to the care of
a strange woman in this fashion, they
looked up to see the donkey laden with
their trunks being led away by the
porter.
TOO late to say nay, fear me-" said
the woman with a laugh, 80 you must
be my guests awhile if you would not
lose your baggage. Come, after so long
a journey you need to wash and eat.
Follow me. sirs, I pray you.''
Then she walked through the crowd.
which, they noted, parted for her as
she went, to post where a fine mule
was tied. .Loosing 1t, she leaped to the
saddle without help and began to ride
away, looking back from time to time
to see that they were following her. as.
indeed, they must.
WHITTIER go we, I wonder" said
Goodwin. as they trudged through the
sands of Beirut, with the hot sun strik-