The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1906-05-23

| a
it was done. Half of it was done, but
| now the first of the fedais hung upon
their TANKS not 200 yards behind Lit
| tie by little this distance lesSened 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 furlongs 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 assasSins saw and
came on with wild shouts. Nearer and
nearer they Grew, 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 strug
gle, plunging up the hill with slow, con-
vulsive bounds Goodwin and Wulf
looked at each other, then, at signal,
checked their speed, leaped to earth
and, turning, drew their swords.
"On"' they cried, and, lightened of
their weight, once more the Keeling
horses plunged forward.
| The assassins were upon them. Wulf
struck a mighty blow and emptied the
saddle of the first, then was swept to
earth. AS he fell rom behind him he
heard 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 he
never knew. found himself mounted
aud charging with the Saracens.
To Wulf, too, horse was Brought,
but he could not struggle to its saddle.
Thrice he strove, then fell backward
and lay upon the sand, waving his
sword and shouting where he lay.
Now the pursuers were the pursued,
and dreadful was the reckoning that
they must pay. Their horses were out
worn and could not fly at speed. Some
OF the fedais were cut down upon them
Some dismounted and. gathering them.
selves in little groups, fought bravely
till they We're slain. while few were
taken prisoners. OF all that great
troop of men not 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 a sturdy. bright
eyed man. gorgeously appareled, at the
sight Of whom ROsamund sprang to her
feet.
'Hassan. Prince Hassan! Is it in
deed you? Oh, God be praisedr she
gasped.
The emir looked at her. her long hair
loose. her face stained, her veil torn,
but still clad in the silk and cleaning
gems with which she had been deckeG
as the bride elect of Al-je-bal. Then
low to the earth he bent his knee, while
the gracious Saracens watched. and
taking the hem of her garment, he kiss.
Ell it.
Soldiers, salute.' he said Before
you stands the Lady Rose of the
World. Princess of Baalbec and niece
Of your lord. Salah-ed-din, commander
OF the faithful
Then. in stately salutation to this
disheveled. outworn, but still queenly
woman. up rose hand and spear and
sciniter, while Wulf cried from where
he lay:
why, it is our merchant of the
drugged wine-none other! Oh, Sir
Saracen, does not the memory of that
chapman's trick shame you now|'
The emir Hassan heard and grew
red, muttering in his beard:
Like you, Sir Wulf, l am the slave
Of fate and must obey. Be not bitter
against me till you know ALL
Il am not bitter" answered Wulf,
but | always pay for my drink, and
we will settle that score yet
'-Hush"' broke in Rosamund. al
though he stole me, he is also my de-
Ituoror and fr;an1 +l,,or~l~