The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-05-24

"HushP said Wulf, for Just then
some merchants and with them a num-
Der Of pilgrims crowded forward to
the bow to obtain their first view OF
the Holy Land. Indeed, one OF these
men--a trader known as Thomas OF
Ipswich-was, they found, standing
close TO them. The brethren mingled
with them while this same Thomas Of
Ipswich, who had visited the place be-
fore, or so It seemed, pointed out the
beauties Of the country.
Have you been on the mountainsY'
asked Wulf.
AYE. following my business" he an
ewered. 80 far" And he showed them
a great snow capped peak to the north.
There begins the territory Of the shelk
Alje-baF-ond he looked at them
meanlngly whom" he added, mel
ther Christian nor Saracen visit with
out an invitation, which is seldom
given
| Again they inquired why not.
Because answered the trader, stlll
watching them, most men love their
lives, and that man is the lord Of death
and magic. This old man of the noun
tain Is great murderer, Of whom even
all the princes Of the east are terrified,
for he speaks a word to bis fedais-or
servants-who are initiated, and they
go forth and bring to death any whom
he hates. Young men, like you well,
and say to you, be warned. In this
Syria there are many wonders to be
seen. Leave those Of Masyaf and its
fearful lord alone If you desire to look
again upon the towers OF Lincoln"
Then boats came out to greet them
from the shore-for at that time Beirut
was In the hands Of the Franks-and
In the shouting and confusion which
followed they saw no more OF this
merchant Thomas, nor did they seek
him out again, since they thought 1t I'M
wise to show themselves too curious
about the shelk Al-je-bal. Indeed, 1t
would have been useless, since that
trader was ashore two full hours be-
fore they were suffered to leave the
ship, from which he departed alone in
private boat.
At length they stood In the motley
eastern crowd upon the quay, wonder
ing where they could find an Inn that
was quiet and of cheap charges, since
they did not wish to be considered per
sons Of wealth or Importance. AS they
fingered here, somewhat bewildered, a
tall yelled woman. whom they had
noted watching them, drew near, ac-
companied BY porter, who led a don
key. This man without more ado
seized their baggage and, helped by
other porters, began to fasten 1t upon
the back OF the donkey with great
rapidly, and when they would have
forbidden him pointed to the yelled
woman.
"Your pardon said Goodwin to her
at length and speaking In French. but
this man
LOADS up your baggage to take 1t
to my inn. 1t Is cheap, quiet and COM
Portable, things which heard you say
you required Just now, did l notf' she
answered in sweet voice, also speak
ing In good French.
Goodwin and Wulf began to discuss
what they should do When they had
agreed that 1t seemed not wise to trust
themselves to the care of strange wo-
man In this fashion they looked up to
see the donkey laden with their trunks
being led away by the porter.
"Too late to say no, fear me-" said
the woman, with laugh 80 you must
be my guests awhile II you would not
lose your baggage Come, after so
long a journey you need to wash and
eat. Follow me- slrs, pray YOU"
Then she walked through the crowd,
which they noted parted for her as she
went, to a post where fine mule was
tied. Loosing II. she leaped to the sad
die without help and began to ride
away looking back from time to time
to see that they were following her, as
indeed, they must.
At last the woman on the mule turn
ed through doorway in a wall Of un-
burned brick, and they found them
selves before the porch of a white
rambling house which stood in large
garden and was situated on the Dor
ders Of the city.
Here the woman dismounted and
gave the mule to a Nubian who was
waiting; then with quick movement
she unveiled herself and turned toward
them, as though to show her beauty.
Beautiful she was; Of that there could
be no doubt. She was young also
perhaps twenty-five; no more = and
very fair skinned for an eastern.