Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-09-27
CHAPTER XIII.

past had gone from him.
He knew also that he travelled while
he was Ill. for at dawn he would hear
the camp break up with n mighty noise
and feel his litter lifted by slaves who
bore him along for hours across the
burning sand till at length the evening
came, and with humming sound like
the sound of hiving bees the great ar
my set its blvouac.
At length that journey was done, and
there arose new noises as of the roar
of battle. Orders were given, and men
marched out In thousands. Then rose
that roar, and they marched back
Rgain, mourning their dead.
At last came a day when, opening his
eyes, Goodwin turned TO rest them on
Masoudn, and, 10, she was gone, and in
her accustomed place there sat man
whom he knew well-Egbert once
bishop of Nazareth.
where am II" he asked.
"Outside the walls OF Jerusalem, my
son, prisoner In the camp of Saln-
din." was the answer.
And where is Mnsouda, who has sat
by me all these days.
ain heaven. l trust" came the gentle
answer, for she was brave lady. II
is who have sat by you"
Then Goodwin remembered the truth
and, grooming, fell asleep Aftorward,
as he grew stronger, Ecbert told him
all the story. He learned that when he
1vi soil ha
Of Masouda the emirs wished Saladln
to kill him if for no other reason be-
cause he had dashed out the eye Of the
holy imaum with a lamp. But the sui
tan, who had discovered the truth
would not, for he said that it was IN
worthy of the imaum to have Knocked
his grief and that Sir Goodwin had
dealt with him as he deserved.
So the imaum lost both his eye and
his vengeance.
Thus it had come about that the
bishop Egbert was ordered to nurse
him and If possible to save his life,
and when at last they marched upon
Jerusalem soldiers were told off to
bear his litter and good tent was set
lpart to cover him. Now tho siege Of
the holy city had begun, and there
was much slaughter on both sides.
"Will it fall?' asked Goodwin.
81 fear so unless the saints help
them" answered Egbert. "Alas, fear
80"
Twill not Saladln be merciful?' he
asked again.
"Why should he be merciful, my son,
since they have refused his terms and
7et1ed him? Nay, he has sworn that rs
Godfrey took the place nigh upon n
hundred years ago and slaughtered the
Hussulmans who dwelt there by thou
,ands-men, women and children to-
yether-so will he do to the Christians.
Oh, why should he spare them? They
must die. They must die" And, wiring
Ing his hands, Egbert left the tent.
Goodwin lay still, wondering what the
answer to this riddle might be. He
,ould think Of one, and one only In
Jerusalem was Rosamund, the sultan's
nicce, whom he must desire to recap
lure. above oil things, not only because
lhe was Of his blood, but since he
feared that If he did not do so his vi
sion concerning her would come to
nothing
Now, what was this vision, that
through Rosamund much slaughter
should be spared. Well, if Jerusalem
were saved, would not tens of thou
sands Of Moslem and Christian lives
be saved also? Oh, surely here was
the answer, and some angel had put II
into his heart, and now he prayed for
strength TO plant 1t in the heart Of Sal
adm for strength and opportunity
This very day Goodwin found the Op-
oortunity. AS he lay doing in his tent
that evening, being still too weak tc
rise, shadow fell upon him, and
opening his eyes, he saw the sultan
himself standing alone by his bedside
Now he strove 70 rise to salute him
but in kind voice. Saladin babe him lie
IT'LL and, seating himself, began tc
.alk.
"Sir Goodwin" he said, II am come
TO ask your pardon. When l sent yor
to visit that dead woman, who had sui
L
act unworthy Of a king"
II thank you, sire, who were always
noble" answered Goodwin.
you say so. Yet have done thing.
TO you and yours that you can scarcely
hold as noble" said Saladin. Say
Sir Goodwin, is TINT story which the,
tell in the camps true that visitor
came to you before the battle OF Hat
tin and that you warned the leaders o.
lhe Franks not to advance agains
neT
"Yes, it Is tr,E," answered Goodwin
Ind he told the vision and of how h,
had sworn to 1t ~ the rood
"Do you wonder, then, Sir Goodwin
hat I also believe my vision which
tame to me thrice in the night season
bringing with 1t the picture OF the yer,
lace Of my niece, the Princess Of Baal
Dec"
II do not wonder; but, sultan, VIII
have seen vision speak to you VIII
also have seen q vision-a prophet to
prophet"
"Say on" said saladn, gazing at hin
earnestly.
"See, now, o Salah-eddin, the prir
cess Rosamund Is In Jerusalem. Sh
has been led to Jerusalem that yo
may spare 1t for her sake, and thu
make an end of bloodshed and save tn
lives Of folk uncounted"
.ffp n