The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-04-30

Wu;f in front, st-t they would not He
stor1ned at them. but they replied:
Nay, we will die together"
Masouda looked at the horses Flame
and Smoke, which seemed but little
troubled.
$50 be it," she said. Mount in front
OF the lady, Sir Goodwin, and, Sir Wuif,
give me your hand, and you will learn
what this breed can do"
So they mounted. Forward started
Flame and Smoke with a long, swing
ing gallop. while from the assasslns
above, who thought that they held
them, went up shout of rage and
wonder.
Their horses are also tired, and we
may beat them yet" called the daunt-
less Masouda. But Goodwin and Wulf
looked sadly at the ten miles of plain
between them and the river bank.
On they went and on A quarter of
IL was done Half of it was done, but
now the first of the fedais hung upon
their tanks not 200 yards behind. Lit
tlc by little this distance lesscned. At
length they were scarcely fifty yards
away, and one of them flung a spear.
Spur the horses, knights!" cried Ma
SCUBA.
At the sting Of the steel Flame and
Smoke sprang forward as though they
had but just left their stable door, and
the gap between pursuerS and pursued
widened. Two more miles Were done,
and scarce seven furlonCs from them
they saw the broad mouth of the
bridge, with the towers of Emesa be-
yond. They descended little valley
and lost sight Of bridge and town.
At the rise of the opposing slope the
strength of Flame and Smoke at last
began to fail beneath their double bur
dens. They painted and trembled and,
save in short rushes, no longer answer
ed to the spur. The assasslnS saw and
came on with wild shouts. Nearer and
nearer they drew, and the sound of
their horses hoofs beating on the sand
was like the sound of thunder. Now
once more they were fifty yards away
and now but thirty, and again the
spears began to flash, though none
struck them.
Masouda screamed to the horses In
Arabic, and CALAMITY did they strus
gle, plunging up the hill with slow, con
vulsve bounds. Goodwin and Wul1
looked at each other, then, at a signal
checked their speed, leaped to earti
and, turning, drew their swords.
"Onv' they cried, and, lightened OF
their weight, once more the reeline
horses plunged forward.
The assassins were upon them. Wul1
struck a mighty blow and emptied the
saddle Of the first, then was swept tt
earth. AS he fell from behind him he
heard a scream Of joy and, struggling
to his knees, looked round. Lo, from
over the crest Of the rise rushed squad
ron upon squadron Of turbaned cav
airy, who as they came set their lances
In rest and shouted:
"Salah- ed din! Salah-ed-din!'
The assassins saw also and turned
to fy-too late!
"a horse! A horse." screamed God
win In Arabic, and presently. how ht
never knew, found himself mounted
and charging with the Saracens.
10 " uiI, 100, d HOESc was
but he could not struggle to its saddle
Thrice he strove, then fell backward
and lay upon the sand. waving hi!
sword and shouting where he lay.
Now the pursuers were the pursued
and dreadful was the reckoning tina
they must pay. Their horses were out
worn and could not fly at speed. Some
ct the feda4s were cut down upon thero
Some dismounted and, gathering them
selves in little groups, fought bravely
till they were slain, while few were
taken prisoners. OF all that great
troop of men not a score won back
alive to Masyaf.
A while later and. Wulf from his seat
upon the ground saw Goodwin riding
back toward him, his red sword in his
hand. With him rode q sturdy, bright
eyed man, gorgeously appareled, at the
sight of whom Rosamund sprang to hel
feet
"Hassan! Prince Hassan! Is it in
deed you? Oh, God be praisedw shs
gaspcd.
The emir looked at her, her long hail
loose, her face stained, her veil torn
but still clad in the silk and cleaning
gems with which. she had been decket
as the bride elect of Al-jeAbal. Then
low to the earth he bent his knee. while
the gracious Saracens watched, and
taking the hem of her garment, he kiss
ed it.
Soldiers, salutew he said. "Befor,
you stands the Lady Rose of The
World. Princess of Baalbec and niece
of your lord. Salah-ed-din. commando
Of the faithful" --.
Then. in stately salutation to thi:
disheveled, outworn. but still queenl.