Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-09-20

The ennuch produced the gem.
gems as these, especially in a camp
where there are many dishonest per-
sons"
II thank you" answered Wulf as he
took IL. you have shown me-" Then.
followed by the sound of Masouda's
knocking laughter. they left the tent.
OF all the strange fensts that they
ever ate the brethren found this the
strangest and the most sad. Saladin
was seated at the head Of the table
with guards and officers standing be-
hind him. Not far from him sat the
king Of Jerusalem and his brother and
all down the board great captive no
bles, to the number Of fifty or more.
Sorry spectacles were these gallant
knights In their hewn and blood stain
ed armor, pale faced, too, with eyes set
wide in horror at the dread deeds they
had just seen done. Yet they ate, and
ate ~ravenously, for now that their
thirst was satisfied they were mad with
hunger. Thirty thousand Christians
lay dead ON the horn and plain of Hat,
tin; the kingdom of Jerusarem was de-
stroyed and Its king a prisoner. The
holy rood was taken as a trophy. De-
feated, shamed. bereaved-yet they ate,
and, being human, could take comfort
from the thought that having eaten, by
the law Of the Arabs, at least their
lives we're safe.
Saladin called Goodwin and Wulf to
him that they might interpret for him,
and gave them food, and they also ate
who were compelled to it by hunger.
Have you seen your cousin. the prin-
cess?' he said. "And how found you
herr he asked presently.
Sire" said Goodwin, 1--WE found her
sick with the sights and sounds of war
and murder; shamed to know also that
her uncle, the conquering sovereign of
the east, had slaughtered 200 unarmed
men,"
'Wulf trembled at his words, but Sal.
adm listened and showed no anger.
Doubtless" he answered, "she
thinks me cruel. and you also think
me cruel-a despot who delights in the
death Of his enemies. Yet it is not SO,
for I desire peace and to ave life, not
to destroy II. 1t is you Christians who
for hard upon a hundred years have
| drenched these sands with blood be-
cause you say that you wish to possess
the land where your prophet lived and
died more than eleven centuries ago,
How many Saracens have you slainf
Hundreds Of thousands Of them. More
over. with you peace Is no peace.
Those orders that I destroyed tonight
have broken 1t a score Of times. Well,
l will bear no more. Allah has given
me and my army the victory. and I
will take your cities and drive the
Franks back into the sea. Let them
seek their own lands and worship God
there after their own fashion and leave
the east in quiet.
"Now, Sir Goodwin, tell these captives
| for me That tomorrow l send those Of
them who are unwounded to Damas.
Gus, there to await ransom while l be-
siege Jerusalem and the other Chris.
tian cities"
So Goodwin rose and told them; after
ward he asked whether he and his
brother were also to be sent to Damas.
Gus.
saladin replied that he would keeI
them for awhile 10 interpret, then they
might go their ways without ransom.
On the mnrrow, accordingly, the cap
lives we're sent to Damascus, and th4t
day Saladin took the castle Of liberals
Then ne moved on to Acre. which he
took, relieving 1000 Moslem captives
and so on to other towns, all OF which
fell before him, till at length he came
to Ascalon, which be besieged.
The night was dark outside of Asca
lon save when the flashes Of lightning
in the storm that rolled down from thu
mountains 10 the sea lit 1t up. In a lit
tie open space Of the garden Of ar
empty house that stood without thu
walls a man and a woman were talk
ing. both Of them wrapped In darl
cloaks. They were Goodwin and Ma
SCUBA.
"well," said Goodwin eagerly. '1s al
ready"
She nodded and answered:
"At length. all. Tomorrow afternoon
an assault will be made upon AscalOn
but W. II 1t is taken the camp vii
not be moved that night. There will b.
a great confusion, and Abdullah. WHIT
Is somewhat sick, will be the captain
Of the guard over the princess tent
He will allow the soldiers to slip away
to assist In the sack of the city, mo-
will they betray him. At sunset but ON
eunuch will be on watch-Mesrour-
and I Will ind means to put him Il
sleep. Abdullah will bring the princess
to this garden disguised as his younl
son, and there you two and l shall nee
them"