The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-05-10


gems as these, especially In a camp
where there are many dishonest per-
sons"
II thank you" answered Wulf as he
took X. "You have shown me-" Then,
followed by the sound of Masouda's
knocking laughter, they left the tent.
or oil the strange feasts that they
ever ate the brethren found this the
strangest and the most sad. Saladin
was seated Mt the head of the table
with guards and officers standing be-
hind him. Not far from him sat the
king of Jerusalem and his brother and
all down the board great captive no
bles, to the number of fifty or more.
Sorry spectacles were these gallant
knights In their hewn and blood stain
ed armor, pale faced, too, with eyes set
wide in horror at the dread deeds they
had just seen done. Yet they ate, and
ate rayenously, for now that their
thirst was satisfied they were mad with
hunger. Thirty thousand Christians
lay dead on the horn and plain of Hat
TIM the kingdom OF Jerusalem was de-
stroycd and its king a prisoner. The
holy rood was taken as n trophy. De-
feated, shamed, bereaved-yet they ate.
I'D, being human, could take comfort
from the thought that having eaten, by
thsalaw Of the Arabs, at least their
aass were safe.
|" Saladin called Goodwin and Wulf to
him that they might interpret for him,
and gave them food. and they also ate
who were compelled to 1t by hunger.
Have you seen your cousin. the prin-
cessg lie said. "And how found you
herr" he asked presently.
"Sire," said Goodwin. I've found her
sick with the sights an pounds of was
and murder; shamct - know also thsx
her uncle, the conqus ling sovereign Of
the east, had slnughf' red 200 unarmed
men,
"Wulf tremblcd ~ ais words, but Sal
adm listened and ~ wed no anger.
Doubtless" Ii answered. "she
thinks me cruel, snS you also think
me cruel-a despot Who delights in the
death OF his enemies. Yet it is not so,
for 1 desire pence and to save life, not
to destroy 1t. 1t is you Christians who
for hard upon a hundred years have
drenched these sands with blood be-
cause you say that you wish to possess
the land where your prophet lived and
died more than eleven centuries ago.
How many Saracens have you slain ?
Hundreds OF thousands OF them. More
oyer. with you peace Is no peace.
Those orders that l destroyed tonight
have broken it score of times. Well,
sxt.tlt oil xriv
me and my army the victory, and I
will take your cities and drive the
Franks back into the sea. Let them
seek their own lands and worship God
there after their own fashion and leave
the east In quiet.
"Now, Sir Goodwin. tell these captives
for me that tomorrow I send those of
them who are unwounded to Damas-
cus, there to await ransom while l be-
siege Jerusalem and the other Chris
tian cities"
So Goodwin rose and told them; after
ward he asked whether he and his
brother were also to be sent to Damas-
Gus.
them for awhile to inteIr-ss @sar they
might so their ways without ransom.
On the r'1rrow. accordingly, the cap
tives were sent to Damascus, and that
day Saladin took the castle Of Liberals
Then he moved on to Acre. which he
took. relieving 1000 Moslem captives
md so on to other towns. all OF which
fell before him, till at length he came
to Ascalon, which he besieged.
The night was dark outside Of Asca
Ion save when the flashes Of lightning
in the storm that rolled down from the
mountains to the sea lit 1t up. In lit
tie open space of the garden Of ar
empty house that stood without the
walls n man and a woman were talk
Ing. both of them wrapped in darl
cloaks. They were Goodwin and Ma
SCUBA.
Well" said Goodwin eagerly. sis al
reaGy?'
She nodded and answered.:
AT length. all. Tomorrow Afternoon
an assault will be made upon Ascalon
but even IL II Is taken the camp will
not be moved that night There will b,
a. great confusion. and Abdullah, wht
.somewhat sick, will be the captain
u the guard over the princess tent
lie will allow the soldiers to slip ava,
to assist In the sack OF the city, no
will they betray him. At sunset but on