Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-09-06

= us tidings Of your rescue from the powe
or tho accursed lord of the mountain
Sinan. and that you are now safe in on
city of Emesa, guarded by many thou
, sands of our soldiers. and with you
woman named Masouda and your kins
men, the two Frankish knights, by who's
skill In arms and courage you were saved
NOW, this IN to command you to come 4
our court at Damascus SO soon as 70,
may be mt to travel. knowing that her,
you Will be received with love and honor
Also 1 invite your kinsmen to accompan,
you. since I knew their father and woult
welcome knights who have don't suci
great deeds. and the woman Masouds
with them: or. II they prefer II, all thre,
or them may return to their own land.
and peoples.
Hasten. my niece. Lady Rose Of tn,
World; hasten. for my spirit seeks you
and my eyes desire to look upon you. Ir
the name Of Allah. greeting.
you have heard" said Rosamund
as Goodwin finished reading the scroll
Nov, my cousins, what will you do?"
What else but go with you, whom
we have come so far to seek? ?" an.
swered Wulf. and Goodwin nodded his
head in assent.
And you. MasoudaT 2"
'"Ns oh, 4 ~ uibO, SllCt were i
to return yonder," and she nodded to-
ward the mountains, my greeting
would be one that I do not wish.'
DO you note their words, Prince
Hassan?" asked Rosamund.
Il expected no other" he answered,
with a bow. Only, knights. you must
give me a promise. 1t Is that upon
this journey you will not attempt to
escape with the princess whom you
have followed from oversee to rescue
her out Of the hand OF Salah-ed-din."
Goodwin drew from his tunic the
cross which Rosamund had left him in
the hall Mt Steeple, and, saying, II
swear upon this holy symbol that dur
ing our journey to Damascus l will at
tempt no escape with or without my
cousin Rosamund," he kissed 1t.
And l swear the same upon my
sword" added Wulf.
"A security that I like better" said
Hassan, with a smile, but in truth.
knights. your word is enough for me-
Then he looked at Masouda and went
on. still smiling: Nay. it is useless, for
women who have dwelt yonder, oaths
have no meaning. Lady. we must be
content to watch you, since my lord has
Didden you to his city. which. fair and
brave as you are, to be plain, l would
not have done.''
mat same afternoon they started for
Damascus. a great army Of horsemen.
In Its midst. guarded by a thousand
spears. Rosamund was borne in a lit
ter. In front Of her rode Hassan, with
his yellow robed bodyguard; at her
side MasOuda, and behind the breth-
rem, mounted upon ambling palfreyss
After them, led by slaves, came the
chargers Flame and Smoke and then
rank upon rank Of turbaned Saracens.
That evening they camped in the
desert and neSt morning, surrounded
by wandering tribes of Bedouins,
mounted on their camels, marched on
again, sleeping that night in the an
cient fortress Of Baalbec, whereof the
garrison and people. having been
warned by runners of the rank and
titles of Rosamund, came out to do her
homage as their lady.
Hearing Of it. she left her litter and.
mounting a splendid horse which they
had sent her rs a present. rode to
meet them, the brethren, in full armor
md once more bestrlding Flame and
Smoke. beside her and a guard of
Saladin's W mamelukes behind. Sol.
turbaned men, who had been
commanded so to do by messenger
from the sultan, brought her the KEYS
d the gates on a cushion, Ministries
md soldiers marched before her. while
,rowding the walls and running along
side came the citizens in their thou
sands. Thus she went on, through the
open gates, past the towering columns
ruined temples once a home of the
worship Of heather gods, through
courts and vaults to the citadel sur.
'ounded by its gardens that in dead
'ges had been the Acropolis of forgot
en- Roman emperors.
Here IN the portico Rosamund turned
Ter horse and received the s%alutations
II the multitude as though she also
we're n Of the worlds rulers, In.
Iced, 1t seemed to the brethren watch.
ng her as she sat upon the great
White horse and surveyed the shouting,
bending crowd with flashing eyes,
plend1d in her bearing and beautiful
o see, a prince at her stirrup and an
|rmy ut her back. that truly by blood
nd nature b was fitted to be q
queen. Yet as Rosamund sat thus the
ride passed from her face n her !
yes fell.
"Of what are you thinking?" asked {
at her side.
That l would we were back among
summer fields at Steeple,' she an I
wereds fol those who are lifted high I
low. Prince Hassan, give the cap {
inns and people my thanks and bid c
lem be gone. l would rest"
hus for the first and last time did
.osamund behold her ancient ief OF S
aalbec, which her %grandslre, the great s
you'd, had ruled before her. d
That night there was feasting in the
immemorial halls and singing C
nd minstrelsy and the dancing of fair L
omen and the giving of gifts. For /
aalbec, where birth and beauty were S
1er welcome, did honor to its lady. a
le favored niece Of the mighty Salah. r
l-din. Il
At dawn the next day on orders re- s
'ived from the sultan they left Baal- s.