Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-09-13

and the shields blazoned with the
deaths head Darcy crest. Through II
all they went unscathcd and, while the
army of the Saracens stared, at the foot
Of the horn Of IIattln turned their
horses heads straight for the royal
standard Of Saladin. On they strug.
gled, Telling or riding down a foe at ev.
cry stride. On. still on, although Flame
and Smoke bled from a score OF
wounds.
They were among the mamelukes,
where their line was thin. BY heaven,
they were through them and riding
straight ut the well known figure Of
the sultan, mounted on his white horse
with his young son and his emir, the
prince IIassan, at his side.
"Saladin for you, Hassan for mev'
shouted Wulf.
Then they met. ard all the host Of
Islam cried out in dismay as they saw
the commander of the faithful and his
horse borne to the earth before the last
deSpairing charge of these mad Chris
tan knights. Another instant. and the
sultan was on his feet again. and n
score Of scimiters We're striking Mt God
win. His horse Flame sank down DIV.
ing, but he spranG from the saddle,
swinging the long sword. Now Saladin
recognized the crest upon his buckler
and cried out:
"Yield you, Sir Goodwin! You have
done well. Yield you!'
But Goodwin, who would not yield.
answered:
when I am dead-not before"
Thercupon Saladin spoke n word,
and, while certain of his mamelultes en-
gagged Goodwin in front, keeping out Of
reach of that red and terrible sword,
others crept up behind and, springing
on him, seized his arms and dragged
him to the ground, where they bound
him fast.
Meanwhile wulf had Jared otherwise,
for it was bis horse Smoke. already
stabbed to the vitals, that fell as he
plunged or Prince Hassan. Yet he also
arose but little hurt and cried out.
Thus, Hassan. old foe and friend,
we meet at Last in war. Come, I would
pay the debt l owe you for that drug
ged wine, man to man and sword to
sword"
Indeed. it is due. Sir Wulf," answer.
ed the prince, laughing. Guards, touch
not this brave knight who has dared so
much to reach me. Sultan, | ask a
boon. Between Sir Wulf and me there
is an ancient quarrel that can only be
yv1Ghn1 xyn in hlnnd nt Il hn 10
cided here and now, and let this be
your decree That if l fall in fair fight
none shall set upon my conqueror and
no vengeance shall be taken for my
blood
Good" said Saladin. "1hen Sir
Wnlf shall he my prisoner and no more,
as his brother is already. I owe it to
the men who saved my life when we
were friends"
Hassan sprang to the ground, say
ing:
Your horse is dead, Sir wulf, so we
must fight afoot."
Then they faced each other. and, oh,
the scene was strange. Up on the
slopes of Hattin the fight still ragged.
There amid the smoke and fires of the
burning grass little companies of SOL
diers stood back TO back while the
Saracens wheeled round them. thrust
ing and cutting Mt them till they fell.
Here and there knights charged singly
or in groups and so came to death or
capture. About the plain hundreds Of
foot soldiers were being slaughtered,
while their officers were taken prison
ers. Toward the camp of Saladin u
company advanced with sounds Of trl-
umph, carrying aloft a black stump
which was the holy rood, while others
drove or led mobs OF prisoners, among
them the king and his chosen knights.
The wilderness was rcd with blood.
the air was rent with shouts of victory
and cries of agony or despair. And
round with grave, courteous Saracens,
stood the emir, clad above his mail In
his white robe and ieweled turban,
facing the great Christian knight, with
harness hacked and Redeemed.
For those who watched the battle
was forgotten, or. rather, its interest
was conferred on this point.
1T will be a good fight" said one Of
them to Goodwin. whom they had suf-
fercd to rise, 'for. though your broth
err is the younger ahd the heavier man.
he is hurt and weary, whereas the emir
Is fresh and %unwounded. All, they are
at it,"