Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-09-06

Goodwin and Masouda, toiling behind,
saw them enter the mouth of the pass.
"Who was the nan who brought the
horses to u.s." asked Goodwin rs they
galloped side by side, their eyes fixed
upon the ever nearing cloud Of dust.
my fathers brother-my uncle, as
/ called him." she answered. Gle is a
theik Of the desert, who owns the
ancient breed that cannot be bought
for gold"
"Then you are not Of the assassins,
Mnsoudaf"
"No. I may toll you, now that the
end seems SO near. My father was an
Arab, my mother a noble Frank. a
Frcnchwonan. whom he found starv-
ing in the desert after a fight and took
to his tent and made his wife. The
assassins fell upon us and killed him
and her and captured mi as a child Of
twelve. Afterward, when I grew older,
being beautiful in those days, 7 was
taken to the harem of Sinan, and, al
though in secret | had been bred up a
Christian by my mother. they sworc
me to his accused faith. Now you
will understand why | hate him so
sorely who murdered my father and
my mother and made me what I am
why | hold myself so vile, Yes, I have
been forced to serve as his spy or be
killed"
81 do not hold you vile" parted God
win as he spurred his laboring steed.
Il hold you most noble"
II rejoice to hear it before we die"
she answered, looking him in the eyes
in such a fashion that he dropped his
head before her burning gaze, who
hold you dear, Sir Goodwin. for whose
sake | have dared these things, al
though ! am naught to you. Nay,
speak not. The Lady Rosamund has
told me all that story-eXcept its an
swer."
Now they were off the sand over
which they had been racing side by
side and beginning to breast the noun
tain slope. SO far they had outpaced
the assassins, who had a longer and a
roughcr road to travel. but the great
cloud Of dust was not 700 yards away,
and in front Of it, shaking their spears,
rode some of the best mounted of their
soldiers.
These horses still have strength.
They are better than l thought them"
cried Masouda. They will not gain
on us across the mountains, but after
ward
For the next league they spoke no
more. who must keep their horses from
falling as they toiled up the steep path.
At length they reached the crest, and
there, On the very top of it, saw Wulf
and Rosamuud standing by Flame and
Smoke.
They rest" Goodwin said; then he
shouted: Mount. Mount! The foe is
closer
So they climbed to their saddles
again, and all -four of them together
began to descend the long slope that
stretched to the plain two leagues be.
meath. Far off across this plain ran a
broad, silver streak, beyond which
from that height they could see the
walls Of a city.
The Orontes.' cried Masouda.
"Cross that, aud we are safe" But
Goodwin looked first at his horse, then
at MasOuda, and shook his head.
Well might he do so, for, stout heart
ed as they We're. the beasts were much
distressed that had galloped so far
without drawing rein. Down the steep
road they plunged, painting.
"They will reach the plain-no more
said Goodwin, and Masouda nodded.
The descent was almost done. and
not a mile behind them the white robed
assasslns strealned endlessly. Goodwin
piled his spurs and Masouda her whip
though with little hope, for they knew
that the n was near. Down the last
, declivity they rushed till suddenly as
; they reached its foot Masouda's horse
rceled, stopped and sank to the ground
| while Godwin's pulled up beside it.
Ride on" he cried to Rosamund ant
, Wulf in front. but they would not. HI
, stormed at them, but they replied:
, Nay. we will die together"
, Masouda looked at the horses Flam'
and Smoke, which seemed but LITTLE
, troubled.
80 be It." she said. Mount in from
l of the lady. Sir Goodwin, andSS Sir Wulf
give me your mana, anu you VIII learl
. what this breed can do"
{ SO they mounted. Forward started
. Flame and Smoke with 4 long. swing
ing gallop, while from the assassin:
s above, who thought that they helt
them, went up h shout of rage an(
r wonder.
q Their horses are also tired, and W,
may beat them yet" called the d1unt
< less Masouda. BX Goodwin and Wul
i looked sadly at the ten miles of plail
between them and the river bank.
3 On they went and on \ quarter o
it was done. Half of it was done, Blu
d now the first of the fedais hung upoI
their tanks not 200 yards behind, Lit
g tie by little this distance lessened. a
length they We're scarcely fifty yard
away. and one of them flung a spear.
Spur the horses, knights!' cried Ma
SCUBA.
At the sting of the steel Flame an
a Smoke sprang forward as though the.
y had but Just left their stable door. an
e the gap between puIsuers and pursue
widened. Two more miles were done
q and scarce seven furlongs from Their
d they saw the broad mouth of tn
e bridge, with the towers of Emesa bt
n