The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-08-02


and pressed gifts upon them and of.
fered them honors, but they refused
them all, saying that they needed but
one thing Of him and he knew what It
was-an answer at which his face sank
One morning he sent for them, and,
except for the presence OF Prince Has.
san, the most favorite Of his emirs. and
famous lmoum, or priest of his re-
liglon, received them alone.
Listen" he said briefly, addressing
Goodwin 81 understand that my niece.
the Princess Of Baabec, Ia beloved by
you Good. Subscribe the Koran, and
l give her to you In marriage, for thus
also she may be led to the true faith,
whom have sworn not to force there.
to- and | gain great warrior and par
adise a brave soul. The lmaum here
will instruct you In the truth"
Thus he spoke, but Goodwin only
stared at him with eyes set wide In
wonderment and answered:
"Sire, l thank you, but cannot
change my faith to win woman.
however dearly may love her"
$50 thought" said saladin, with a
sigh, though indeed 1t is sad that
superstition should thus blind so brave
and good man. Now, Sir Wulf, 1t Is
your turn. What say you to my offer7
VIII you take the princess and her do
minions with my love thrown in as
marriage portlonf"
Wulf thought a moment Then he
answered, with one Of his great laughs:
aye, sire, but on my own terms,
not on yours, for If took these think
that my marriage would lack blessings.
Nor, indeed would Rosamund wish TO
wed a servant of your prophet who II
II pleased him might take other wives"
Saladin leaned his head upon his
hand and looked at them with dlsap-
pointed eyes, yet not unkindly.
"Now l have one more thing to say
to you. That Frank, Prince Arnat Of
Karak, whom you call Reginald de
Chatillon- accused be his namep-
and he spat upon the ground-"has
once more broken the peace between
me and the king Of Jerusalem, slaugh'
terlng my merchants and stealing my
goods will suffer this shame no
more, and very shortly | unfurl my
standards, which shall not be folded
up again until they float upon the
mosque Of Omar and from every tow
er top In Palestine. Your people are
doomed. |, Yusuf Salah-ed.dln," and
he rose as he said the words, his very
beard brlstllng with wrath, declare
the holy war and will sweep them to
the sea. Choose now, you brethren.
Do you fight for me or against met
Or will you give up your swords and
bide here as my prlsonersE
1--WE are the servants Of the cross
answered Goodwin, "and cannot lift
steel against It and thereby lose our
souls" Then he spoke with Wulf and
added "As to your second question,
whether we should bide here in chains,
II Is one that our lady Rosamund must
answer. for we are sworn to her sery-
Ice. We demand to see the Princess Of
Baalbec."
send for her, emlr," said Saladin
to the prince Hassan, who bowed and
departed.
A while later Rosamupd came, look
ing beautiful but, as they saw when she
threw back her veil, very white and
weary She bowed to Saladln, and the
brethren, who were not allowed to
touch her hand, bowed to her, deyour-
Ing her face with eager eyes.
Greeting my uncle" she said to the
sultan, land to you, my cousins, greet
ing also, What Is your pleasure with
me?'
Saladln motoned to her TO be seated
and babe Goodwin set out the case,
which be did very clearly, ending
rs 1t your wish, Rosamund, that we
stay In this court as prisoners or go
forth to fight with the Franks In the
great war that is to bof'
Rosamund looked at them awhile
then answered:
"To whom were you sworn the nrstf
Was II to the service of our Lord or TO
the service of a woman? | have SAID
such words as we expected from
you, being what you are" exclaimed
Goodwin, while Wulf nodded his head in
assent and added:
sultan, we ask your safe conduct to
Jerusalem and leave this lady In your
charge. relying on your plighted word
TO do no violence to her faith and to
protect her person"
"My safe conduct you have" replied
Saladin, land my friendship also. Nor,
indeed, should have thought well Of
you had you decided otherwise. Now,
henceforth we are enemies in the eyes
Of all men, and shall strive to slay