Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-05-21
CHAPTER XIII.

chamber. where they thought that none would hear them, they began to speak in low voices and in English
 "Tell you your tale first, Rosa,uund,' D said Goodwin.
 She told it as shortly as she could
 Then Goodwin spoke and told her theirs. Rosamund heard it and asked A question almost i'll a whisper:
 "Why does that beautiful dark eyed woman befriend you?'
 s:I do not know" answered Goodwin. "unless it is because of the accident of my having saved her from the lion''
 Rosamund looked at him and smiled a little, and Wrlf smiled also. Then she said:
 "Blessings be on that lion and all it's tribe! pray that she may not soon forget the deed, for it seems that our lives hang upon her favor. Oh. that we could escape this place"
 "An eel in an osier trap has more chance of freedom" said Wulf gloom. ily. Let us at least be thankful that we are caged togetherfor how long. wonder?"
 As he spoke Masouda appeared, at tended by waiting women, and lowing to Rosamund. said:
 Ut is the will of the master, lady that lead you to the chambers that have been made ready for you, there tc rest until the hour of the feast. Fear not you shall meet your brethren then. You knights have leave, if it so pleases you, to exercise your horses in the gar dens.''
 "She means that we must go: nut tered Goodwin, adding aloud. Farewell sister, until tonight.
 So they parted, unWilin9ly enough Ill the courtyard they found theft horses, also a mounted escort of foul fierce looking fedais and an officer. When they were ill the saddle this man, motioning to them to follow him, passed by all arcllway out of the court yard into the gardens. Hence ran q broad road streWn with sand, along which they began to gallop. This road followed the gulf which encrced the citadel and inner town of Masyaf. On they went, the gulf always on their right hand. Thrice they passed round the city thus, the last time by them selves, for the captain and the fedais were far outstripped. Indeed, it was not until they had unsaddled Flame and Smoke in their stalls that these appeared, spurring their foaminS horses. Taking no heed of them. the brethren thrust aside the grooms, dressed theil steeds down fed and watered them. About the hour of sunset the women servants came and led them to the bath, where the black slaves washed and pertumed them. clothing them ill fresh robes above their armor
 When they came out the sun Was down. and the women. bearing torches in their hands. conducted them to a great and gorgeous hall. which they had not seen before. built of fretted stone and having Il carved and painted roof. On the floor of llis hall, each seated upon his cushion beside low tables in laid with pearl, sat the guests, huh dred or more, all dressed in white roheS on which the red dagger was blazoned. and all as silent as though they were asleep
 When tie brethren reached the place the women left them, and servants with gold chains round their neckS es- cortea them to q dais ill the ,lniddle oi the hail. where were many cushions, a. yet unoccupied arranged i'll q sem circle. of which the center was div2n higher and more gorgeous than the rest Here places were pointed out to them opposite the divan, aud they took thelr stand by them. They Ead not long to wait, for presently thcse WAS sound of music and. heraiaed by troops el singing women. the lord Sinan. cla3 now in his blood red festal robe "p, preached.
 Around him marched four slaves. black as ebony, each of whom ie4l q flaming torch on high. while bchlnd followed the two gigantic guards who had stood sentry over him when he sat under the canopy Of justice. As he advanced down the hall every man ill it rose and prostrated himself and so remained until his lord was seated, save only the two brethren. Setting himself among the cushions at one end of the divan. he waved his hand, whereon the fcasters. and with them Goodwin and Wulf sat themselves down
 Now there was a pause while S{na' glanced a!a"g the hall iinpAt entity, Soon the brethren saw why, since al the end opposite ta ehat by which =he had entered appeared more singing women, aud after them, also escortei by four black torchbenrefs-only these were women--WallIed Rosamund anu behind her Masouda.
 Rosamund it was without eoubt put Rosamund transformed, for now sAe seemed an eastern queen. Round her head was a coronet of gems from which hung veil, but not so as to hl4e her face. Jeweled. too. were her heavy plaits of hair; jeweled the rose SIX