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

"Help for the sultan !"
help and sweeping around them with
their swords into reach Of which the
fedais dare not come. Now from with.
out the chamber rose n, cry and tumult,
and the sound Of heavy blows falling
upon the gates that the murderers had
barred behind them, while upon the
farther side of the door. which he could
not open, was heard the voice OF the
sultan demanding to know what
passed.
The fedais heard these sounds also
and read in them their doom. Forget
ting caution in their despair and rage
they hurled themselves upon the breth-
rem, for they thought that II they could
get them down they might still break
through the door and slay Salah-ed din
before they themselves were slain. but
for awhile the brethren stopped their
rush with point and buck Ter, wound
ing two of them sorely. and when at
length they closed in upon them the
gates were burst and Hussan and the
outer guard were at hand.
A minute later and, but little hurt,
Goodwin and Wulf were leaning on
their swords, and the fedais, some OF
them dead or wounded and some Of
them captive. lay before them on the
been opened, and through it came the
sultan in his night cal.
What has chanced?" he asked, look.
ing at them doubtfully.
"Only this. lord" answered Goodwin.
These men came to kill you, and we
held them off till help arrived"
xiii me! My own guard kill mef"
"They are not your guard. They are
fedais disguised as your guard and sent
by Al-je-bal as he promised"
Now Salah-ed-din turned pale, for he
who feared nothing else was all his
life afraid of the assassins.
strip the armor from those men,
went on Goodwin. land l think that you
will find truth in my words. or, if not,
question such Of them as still live
They obeyed. and there upon the
breast of one of them. burnt into his
skin, was the symbol of the blood red
dagger. Now Saladin saw and beck
Dned the brethren aside.
How knew you Of thisf" he asked
searching them with his piercing eyes.
"Masouda, the lady Rosamund's wait.
ing woman, warned us that you, lord,
and we were to be murdered tonight
by eight men, so W. made ready"
why then. did you not tell me?'
Because" answered Wulf, I'VE were
not sure that the news was true and
did not wish to bring false tidings and
be made foolish: because, also. my
brother and l thought that we could
hold our own awhile against eight OF
Sinan's rats disguised as soldiers OF
Saladin."
you have done 1t we'll. though yours
was a mad counsel" answered the sui
tan. Then he gave his hand FIRST to
one and next to the other and said sim,
ply:
"Sir Knights, Salah-ed-di ii owes hit
life to you. Should 1t ever come about
that you W your lives to Salah-ed-diu
he will remember this"
Thus this business ended. On the
morrow those of the fedajs who remain
ed alive were put to death; also many
others In the city were seized and
killed on suspicion, so that for awhile
there was no more fear from the assas
Gins.
Now, from that day forward Saladir
held the brethren in great friendship
and pressed gifts upon them and Of
fered them honors, but they refused
them all, saying that they needed blu,
n thing of him and he knew what Il
was-an answer at which his face sank
One morning he sent for them. and
except for the presence Of Prince Has
san.t the most favo1te Of his emirs, ant
a famous imaum, or priest of his re
ligion, received them alone.
Listen" he said briefly. addressing
Goodwin. II understand that my niece
the Princess Of Baalbec. is beloved b,
you. Good. Subscribe the Koran, ant
l give her to you In marriage. for thu.
also she may be led to the true faith
whom l have sworn not to force there
to, and I gain a great warrior and par
adise a brave soul. The imaum her,
will instruct you In the truth"
Thus he spoke. but Goodwin onl!
stared at him with eyes set wide IL
wonderment and answered.:
Sire. l thank you, but I canno
change my faith to win q woman
however dearly ! may love her."
900 7 tho,,Uht - ,oiJ GoI.atr ~-,lsh
sigh, Thought indeed it Is sad tina
superstition should thus blind so Draw
and good n q Now. Sir Wulf, 1t Il
your turn. What say you to my offer
VIII you take the princess and her do
minions with my love thrown In as
marriage portion?"
Wulf thought u moment. Then h,
answered, with one of his great Laughs
AYE, sire, but on my own terms