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

uhv' VIII as uhey CuIDe SET tue1r lance.
In rest and shouted:
"Salah-ed.din! S~alah-ed-din!'
TIT assassins saw also and turned
to hy--too late!
"a horse! A horse!' screamed God
win in Arabic. and presently. how he
never Knew, found himself mounted
and charging with the Saracens.
To Wulf, too, a horse was brought
but he could not struggle to its saddle
Thrice he strove. then fell backward
and lay upon the sand, waving his
sword and shouting where he lay.
Now the pursuers were the pursued,
and dreadful vas the reckoning that
they must pay. Their horses were out
worn and could not fly at speed. Some
Of the edais were cut down upon them,
Some dismounted and, gathering them.
selves In little groups. fought bravely
till they were slain, while Il few were
taken prisoners. OF all that great
troop of men not n score won bac!,
alive to Mnsyaf.
A while later and Wulf from his seat
upon the ground saw Goodwin riding
back toward him. his red sword in his
hand. With him rode q sturdy. bright
eyed man, gorgeously appareled, Mt the
sight of whom Rosamund sprang to her
feet.
"Hassan! Prince Hassan! Is It in
deed you? Oh, God be praised." she
gasped.
The emir looked Mt her, her long hair
loose. her face stained, her veil torn.
but still clad in the silk and cleaning
gems with which she had peer decked
as the bride elect of Al-jeJal. Then.
low to the earth he bent his knee. while
the gracious Saracens watched, md,
taking the hem of her garment he kiss
ed 1t.
Soldiers, salute" he said. Before
you stand the Lady Rose of the
World, Princess of Baalbec and niece
of your lord, Salah-ed-din. commander
Of the faithful"
Then. in stately salutation to this
ulsneveled, outworn. but still uuecnlv
woman up rose hand and spear and
scimiter, while Wulf cried from where
he lay:
why, it is our merchant OF the
drugged wine-none other! Oh, Sir
Saracen. does not the of that
chapman's trick shame you nowY'
The emir Hassan heard and grew
red, muttering in his beard:
Like you, Sir Wulf, l am the slave
of fate and must obey. Be not bitter
against me till you know all
Il am not bitter" answered Wulf,
but / always pay for my drink, and
we will settle that score yet
Hush broke in Rosamund. "Al-
though he stole me. he is also my de-
liverer and friend through many a
peril"
Il do not know all the story, but.
princess, it seems that you should
han not me, but these goodly cousins
of yours and those splendid horses"
said Hassan.
There is another whom l must thank
alsO-this noble woman, as YOU will
call her also when you zeal the story
said Rosamund, 1inging her arm about
the neck Of Masouda.
my master will reward her" said
Hassan. But, O lady, what must
you think of me who seemed to desert
you so basely? Yet I reasoned we'll.
In the castle of that son of Satan.
Sinan,' and he spat upon the ground.
Il could not have aided you, for there
he would only nave butchered me. But
by escaping l thought that 1 might
help, SO J. bribed the Franklsh knave
with the priceless star Of my house."
and he touched the great jewel that he
wore IL his turban, land with what
money | had, to loose my bonds, and
while he pouched the gold I stabbed
him With his own knife and fed. But
this morning l reached yonder city in
cop hmand of 10000 men charged to res
cue you if l could; If not, to avenge
you, for the ambassadors of Salah-ed-
rim Informed me of your plight. An
iour ago the watchmen on the towers
reported that they saw two horses gal
Looping across the plain beneath a dou.
BILE burden, pursued by soldiers whom {
from their robes they took to be as
sassins. So, as | have a quarrel with !
the assassins. | crossed the bridge. :
formed up 800 men in a hollow and
waited, never guessing that it was you I
who fed. You know the rest-and the S
assassins know it also" he added grim G
ly. t
Follow 1t up" said Wulf, land the 6
vengeance shall be better, for l will '
show you the secret way into Masyaf- (
or, If cannot, Goodwin willard there
you may hurl Sinan from his own tow
ers." q
Hassan shook his head and answered:
Il should like it well, for with this S
magician my master also has an an t
cicnt quarrel. But he has other feuds Il
upon his hands," and he looked mean y
ingly at Wulf and Goodwin, "and nv '
orders were to rescue the princess and r
no more. Well, she has beer rescued. S
md some hundreds Of heads have paid b
the price of all that she has suffered. v
Also that secret way of yours will be t.
sale enough by now. So there | let the \
bide, glad enough that it has f:
ended thus. Only | warn you all-and a,
myself also-to walk warily, since. if
know aught of him, Sinan's fedais will Ii
henceforth dog he steps of every one d,
of us. striving to bring us to our ends Il,
by murder. Now here come litters.
enter them, all Of you, and be borne to 2,
The city, who have ridden far enough
IOuaV, 90 IN cnIlpt tho CLAIM o,l x,;it l.,