The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-06-21

Whit CnhuSe you nuu or winning
through to Masyaf unguarded."
} Now they rode up long slope and
at It's crest paused to look upon mar
velOus scene. Below them stretched q
vast plain, full Of villages, cornHelds,
olive groves and vineyards. In the
center Of this plain, some fifteen miles
away, rose great mountain, which
seemed to be walled all about. Within
the wall was a city Of which the white,
fiat rooted houses climbed the slopes
Of the mountain, and on It's crest a lev.
el space Of land covered with trees and
a great many lowered castle surround.
ed by more houses.
Behold the home Of Al.je.bal, lord Of
the mountain" said Masouda, where
we must sleep tonight. Now brethren,
listen to me. Few strangers who en-.
ter that castle come thence living.
There Is still time can pass you
back as passed you hlther Will you
80 onT
1--WE will go on" they answered with
one breath.
"Why7 What have you to gain1 Yen
seek a certain maiden. Why seek he
here whom you say has been taken to
salah-ed-dln2 Because the Al-Jebal In
bygone days swore TO befrlend one Of
your blood, But that Al-je.lNI is dead,
and another Of his line rules who took
no such oath. How do you know that
he viii befriend you-hOw that he will
not enslave or kill your have power
in this land, why or how does not mat
ter, and can protect you against all
that dwell In it-as swear will, for
did not one Of you save my lifeT and
she glanced at Goodwin" except my
lord slnan, against whom have no
power, for am his slave"
"He Is the enemy Of Saladln and may
help us for his hate's sake. Whatever
chances, we will obey the command Of
the dead"
She heard and bowed her head in as
sent, then said, looking up again;
$50 be It. You are not easily turned
from your purpose, and like that
spirit well. But hear my counsel. While
you are in this city speak no Arabic
and pretend to understand none Also
drink nothing but water, which is good
here, for the lord Slnan sets strange
wines before his guests that. II they
pass the lips, produce visions and
kind Of waking madness 10 which you
might do deeds whereof you were aft
erward ashamed"
Fear not" answered Wulf. water
shall be our drink, who have had
enough Of drugged wines"
you, Sir Goodwin" went on Mason
da, "have about your neck a certain
ring which you were mad enough to
show to me, q stranger, ring with
writing on It which none can read save
the great men that In this land are
called the dais. Well, as 1t chances, the
secret Is safe with me, but be wise;
say nothing Of that ring and let no eyes
see It. II Is, or was once, the great
signet, and day may come when 1t
will save your lives. Doubtless when
the lord who Is dead thought II gone
| forever he caused another to be fash
Toned, so like that who have had both
in my hand could not tell the two
apart. To him who holds that ring all
gates are open, but to let 1t be known
that you have Its double means death.
DO you understands
They nodded, and MasOuda contin-
ued
Lastly, though you may think that
this seems much to ask, trust me al
ways, even II seem to play you false,
who for your sakes," and she sighed,
"have broken oaths and spoken words
for which the punishment is to die by
torment. Nay, thank me not for l do
only what l must who am a slave-a
slave"
"a slave to whOmT asked Goodwin,
staring at her.
ITO the lord of all the mountains"
she answered, with a smile that was
sweet yet very sad, and without anOth-
err word spurred on her horse,
They crossed the plain, and toward
evening came to the wall Of the outer
city. They passed up a street very
steep and narrow, from the roofs and
windows Of the houses on either side
Of which hundreds Of people, many Of
whom seemed to be engaged at their
evening prayer, watched them 90 by.
At the head Of this street they reached
fortified gateway, on the turrets Of
which, so motionless that at FIRST they
took them to be statues cut In stone.
stood guards wrapped In long white
robes. After parley this was opened
to them, and they rode through triple
doors.
Then they saw all the wonder Of that
place, for between the outer city where