The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-05-12
BY RIDER HAGGARD,

Author Of "She," "King Solomons Mine." Etc.

The brethren stood awhile Devil.
ecred, for 1t is n strange thing thus to
come back from death to life. 1t was
Nulf 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 it 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 wei
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
Saladins 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.
I'VE have our lives" he said, "but
how shall we save her? While Masou-
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 liber-
ty, we shall hear from her ere long.
So let us keep 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 or to one who
was near and dear. Deeper and deeper
he sank into 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 ails you, Goodwin? Have you
some secret wound?"
Yes. brother" he answered, "a
Wound In my spirit. Ill fortune threat
ts.s us--grcat i'll fortune"
THAT is no new thing" said Wulf,
"a ,:.is land of blood and sorrows.
y h' hiSSl ~ 40 VIC haNc lucL TIC
."
"""s. brother" exclaimed Goodwin,
E. tl.lt Rosamund is in sore dan
- ".1:und or another"
g.. o.' anawered Wulf, turning
ig, "':acp we cannot, let us pray
T., Soa, angel may deliver her."
Aye" sAid Goodwin. and as they
/ H. t..r.ush the desert sands beneath
i:G s'iyit stars they prayed to the
-' -. Mother and to their saints, St
usd st. Chad-prayed with all
49, 5gtcngth. 1 #.. 49,.
, 2o dawn was breaking. and a its
., si~n the escort of Saladin's SOL
rs haa' turned and left them. All
90 LIT thfJa had ridden fast aud far.
~ r!all was behind them. and their
tAhl rrrl ?iaong hills. Suddealy it
turned and In the dancing lights of the
newborn day showed them sl:-ht so
beautiful ;2at 70. 4 moment all that
little company drew rein to gaze. for
yonder before them. though far away
rs vet. throncl upon her hills, stood
the holy city Of Jerusalem.
SnlaGin had offered TO spare the cit
liens II they consented TO surrender.
but they would not. This embassy
had told him that they had sworn to
perish with the holy places, and now,
looking at it in its splendor, they knew
that the hour was near and groaned
aloud.
Goodwin groaned also. but not for
Jerusalem. oh. now the last terror was
upon him. Blackness surged round
him, and in the blackness swords and
sound as of a woman's voice mu:-
mnf'ng his name. Suddenly the an
gnsli passed. A strange wind seemed
tc blow about him and lift his hair. a
deep, uncarthiy peace sank into his
spirit: The world seemed far away and
heaven very near.
"lt Is over" he said to Wulf. II fear
that Rosamund is dead"
IF so, we must make haste to fol-
low her." answered Wulf, with sob.