The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-05-21
The Brethren
BY RIDER H1GGdRD,
AHfhsr If She" king Ssiomons Mina." Etc.
COPYRIGHT, lsos-I9o.. By RIDER HAccARD

By RIDER H1GGdR

So for a while she lay there in the
shimmering moonlight, while utter ST.
lence fell upon all that vast multitude
Of armed men as they waited for the
decree of fate to be uttered by the con-
queror's lips. But Saladin sat still as
a statue, gazing at the domes and tow
ers Of Jerusalem.
Rise" lie said at length, land know,
niece, that you have played your part
In a fashion worthy of my race, and
that l, Salah-ed-din, am proud Of you.
Know also that I will weigh your pray
er IS have weighed that of none other
who breathes upon the earth. Now
must take counsel with my own heart,
and tomorrow it shall be granted-or
refused. To you, who are doomed to
die, and to the knight who chooses to
die with you, according to the ancient
law and custom, l offer the choice of
Islam, and with it life and honor"
I'VE refuse" answered Rosamund
and Wulf with one voice. The sultan
bowed his head as though he expected
no other answer and glanced round, as
all thought to order the executioners to
do their Office. But he said only to a
captain of his mamelukes:
Take them; keep them under guard
and separate them till my word of
death comes to you. Your life shall an
swer for their safety. Give them food
and drink, and let no harm touch them
until bid YOU @@ aa
The maneluke bowed and advanced
with his company of soldiers. AS they
prepared to go with them, Rosamund
asked:
"Tell me of your grace, what of Ma
SCUBA, my friend|
"She died for you. Seek her beyond
the grave" answered Saladin, whereat
Rosamund hid her face with her hands
and sighed.
"And what Of Goodwin, my brother?"
cried Wulf, but no answer was given
him.
Now Rosamund turned. Stretching
out her arms toward Wulf she fell
upon his breast There, then, in the
presence of that countless army, they
kissed their kiss of betrothal and fare
well. They spoke no word, only ere
she went Rosamund lifted her hand
and pointed upward to the sky.
Then a murmur arose from the multi
tude, and the sound of 1t seemed to
shape itself into one word, Mercy"
Still Saladin made no sign, and they
were led away to their prisons.
Among the thousands who watched
this strange and most thrilling scene
were two men wrapped in long cloaks,
Goodwin and the bishop Egbert Thrice
did Goodwin strive to approach the
throne, but it seemed that the soldiers
about him had their commands, for
they would not suffer him to stir or
speak.
Goodwin stood wringing his hands
while the bishop strove to comfort
him, saying that he should not grieve,
since such deaths as those of Rosa
mund and Wulf were most glorious
and more to be desired than hundred
lives.
AYE, aye" answered Goodwin.
would that Icould go with themv'
"Their work is done, but not yours"
said the bishop gently. Come to our
tent and let us to our knees. God
Is more powerful than the sultan, and
mayhap he will yet find a way to save
them. If they are still alive tomorrow
at the dawn we will seek audience of
Saladin to plead with him."
So they entered the tent and prayed
there, as the inhabitants of Jerusalem
prayed behind their shattered walls, that
the heart Of Saladin might be moved to
spare them all. While they knelt thus
the curtain of the tent was drawn
aside, and an emir stood before them.
Rise" he said, both Of you, and
follow me. The sultan commands your
presence"
Egbert and Goodwin went, wonder
ing, and were led through the pavilion
to the royal sleeping place, which
guards closed behind them. On a silk
en- couch r,clined Saladin, the light
from the lamp falling ON his bronzed
and thoughtful face.
ssr