The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-07-19


being beautiful I'm those days, ! was
taken to the harem Of slnan, and, al
though in secret had been bred up
Christian by my mother, they swore
me to his accused faith. Now you
will understand why I hate him so
sorely who murdered my father and
my mother and made me what | am
why hold myself so vile. Yes, have
been forced to serve as his spy or be
killed"
81 do not hold you vile" painted God.
win as he spurred bis aborlng steed.
II hold you most noble"
II rejoice TO hear It before we die"
she answered, looking him In the eyes
In such a fashion that he dropped bis
head before her burning gaze, "whO
hold you dear, Sir Goodwin, for whose
sake have dared these things, al
though / am naught to you. Nay,
speak not The Lady ROsamund has
told me all that story-except It's an
swer"
Now they were Off the sand over
which they had been racing side by
side and beginning TO breast the noun
tain slope So far they had outpaced
the assasslns, who bad longer and a
rougher road to travel but the great
cloud Of dust was not 700 yards away,
and in front Of II, shaking their spears,
rode some Of the best mounted Of their
soldiers.
"These horses still have strength.
| They are better than thought them"
cried Masouda. "They will not gain
on us across the mountains, but after
! ward
For the next league they spoke no
more, who must keep their horses from
falling as they toiled up the steep path
At length they reached the crest and
there on the very top Of 1t, saw Wulf
and Rosamund standing by Flame and
| Smoke.
"They rest" Goodwin said; then he
shouted: Mount! Mount The foe 10
closer
SO they climbed TO their saddles
again, and all four Of them together
began to descend the long slope that
stretched to the plain two leagues be-
meath. Far Off across this plain ran a
broad, silver streak, beyond which
from that height they could see the
walls Of city.
"The OrOntesp cried Masouda.
"Cross that, and we are safe" But
Goodwin looked first at his horse, then
| at Masouda, and shook his head.
Well might he do so, for, stout heart
ed as they were, the beasts were much
distressed that had galloped so far
without drawing rein Down the steep
road they plunged, painting.
"They will reach the plaln-no more"
said Goodwin, and Masouda nodded
The descent was almost done, and
not mile behind them the white robed
assassins streamed epdlessly. Goodwin
piled his spurs and Masouda her whip,
though with little hope, for they knew
that the end was near. Down the last
decllvity they rushed till suddenly as
they reached its foot MasOuda's horse
reeled stopped and sank to the ground.
while Godwlns pulled up beside It,
"Ride on" he cried to Rosamund and
Wulf in front, but they would not He
stormed at them, but they replied;
"Nay, we will die together"
Masouda looked at the horses Flame
and Smoke, which seemed but little
troubled.
80 be It," she said Mount in front
Of the lady, Sir Goodwin, and, Sir Wulf
give me your hand, and you Will learn
what this breed can do
So they mounted. Forward started
Flame and Smoke with a long, swing
ing gallop, while from the assasslns
above, who thought that they held
them, went up a shout Of rage and
wonder
"Their horses are also tired, and we
may beat them yet" called the daunt-
less Masouda But Goodwin and Wulf
looked sadly at the ten miles of plain
between them and the river bank.
On they went and on. A quarter OF
IL was done Half Of II was done, but
now the first of the fedals hung upon
their tanks not 200 yards behind. Lit
tie by little this distance lessened. Az
length they were scarcely fifty yards
away. and one Of them flung spear
"spur the horses, knlghts!" 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
wldened. 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.