The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-08-30

"Bless me, father, and bid them
strike"
Then It was that no heard wen
known footstep and looked no to see
Wulf staring at him.
what do you here. Godwin2" asked
Wulf HAS yonder fox shared both
Of us2" and he nodded at saladln.
let the fox speak, said the sultan,
with smile, "Know, Sir Wulf, that
your brother was about to die in your
place and Of his own wish. But / re.
fuse such sacrifice who yet have made
use Of II to teach my niece, the prlu-
cess, that should she continue IN her
plottlngs to escape or allow you to
continue Ia them certainly It will bring
yotr to your deaths and, II need be, her
also. knights, you are brave men
whom | prefer to kill IN war. Good
horses stand without; take them as my
gift and ride with these foolish citizens
Of Jerusalem We may meet again
within its streets. Nay, thank me not.
l thank you who have taught salah-ed-
din how perfect a thing can be the
love Of brothers"
The brethren stood awhile Devil.
dered, for 1t is a strange thing thus to
come back from death TO life. 1t was
Wulf who spoke the FIRST
"a noble deed, Goodwin Sultan, we
are grateful FOR your boon Of life,
though had you shed this innocent
blood surely 1t would have stained your
soul"
Outside that gloomy place Of death
their swords were given them and two
good horses which they mounted.
Hence guides led them TO the embassy
from Jerusalem that was already In
the saddle, who were very glad to well
come two such knights to their com
pany Then, having bid farewell to
the bishop Egbert, who wept for Joy
at their escape, escorted for awhile by
saladln's soldiers they rode away from
Ascalon at the fall OF night
Soon they had told each other all
there was to tell. When he heard Of
the woe Of Rosamund, Wulf well nigh
shed tears,
1--WE have our lives" he said, but
how shall we save her? While Mason
da stayed with her there was some
hope, but now can see none"
There is none except In God" an
swered Goodwin, "who can do all things
even free Rosamund and make her
your wife Also, If Masouda Is at llber-
~, we shall hear from her ere long
SO let us keep a good heart"
But, though he spoke thus, the soul
Of Goodwin was oppressed with a fear
which he could not understand. 1t
seemed as though some great terror
came very close to him OF to one who
was near and dear. Deeper and deeper
he sank Snto that pit Of dread Of he
knew not what, until at length he could
have cried aloud, and his brow was
bathed with a sweat Of anguish. Wulf
saw his face in the moonlight and
asked:
what alls you, Godwinf Have you
some secret woundT
eyes, brother" he answered, "a
wound in my spirit. III fortune threat
ems us-great III fortune"
'gThat ls no new thing" said Wuif,
'In this land Of blood and sorrows,
Let us meet It as we have met the
restp
"AIas, brother" exclaimed Goodwin,
81 fear that Rosamund Is In sore dan
Rer-Rosamund or another
"Then," answered Wulf turning
pale, "slnce we cannot, let US pray
that some angel may deliver her.
"Aye," said Goodwin, and as they
rode through the desert sands beneath
the silent stars they prayed to the
Blessed Mother and to their saints, st.
Peter and st. Chad-prayed with all
their atrength.
The dawn was breaking, and at It's
first sign the escort Of Saladin's sol
diers had turned and left them. All
night they had ridden fast and far
The plain was behind them, and their
road ran among hills. Suddenly II
turned and In the flaming lights Of the
newborn day showed them a sight 80
beautiful that for moment all that
little company drew rein to gaze for
wonder before them, though far away
as vet throned upon her hills, stood
the holy city OF Jerusalem.
saladln had offered to spare the cit
izens IL they consented to surrender
but they would not This embassy
had told him that they Ind sworn tc
perish with the holy places and now
looking at 1t In it's splendor. they knew
that the hour Was near and groaned
aloud.
Goodwin groaned also, but not ioi