Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-08-16

of answer the bowstring twanged, and
nm arrow sped home to its feathers
through the throat of the speaker. so
that he went down, grabbing at it, and
spoke no more forever.
As he fell Gathering to the floor Sir
Andrew cried in n great voice:
"We yield not to pagan dogs and
prisoners! A Darcy! A Darcy! Meet
Darcy, meet DEATH"
Thus for the last time did old Sir
Andrew utter the warcry of his race,
which he had feared would never pass
his lips again. His prayer had been
ieard. and he was to die as he had
desired.
Down with him; seize the princess!'
said n voice. 1t was that of Georgios,
no longer humble with n merchants
obsequlous whine, but speaking in
tones of cold command and in Arabic.
For a moment the swarthy mob hung
back, as well they might in face of that
glittering sword. Then with a cry of
"Salah-ed-din! Salah-ed-din!' on they
surged. with flashing spears and scim-
tiers. The overthrown table was in
front OF them. and one lcaped upon its
edge, but as he leaped the old knight,
all his years and sickness forgotten
now, sprang forward and struck down
ward so heavy Il blow hat I'm the
darkling mouth Of the passage the
sparks streamed out and where the
Saracen's head had been appeared his
heels. Back sir Andrew stepped again
to win space for his sword play. while
round the ends Of the table broke two
fierce faced men. At one of them Rosa
mund shot with her bow, and the ar
row pierced his thigh, but as he fell he
struck with his keen scimiter and shore
the end off the bow, so that it was use
less. The second man caught his foot
in the bar of the oak chair, which he
did not see. and went down prone.
while Sir Andrew. taking no heed Of
him, rushed with n shout at the crowd
who followed and, catching their blows
upon his shield, rained down others SO
desperate that, being hampcred by
their very number. they gave before
him and staggered back along the pas
sage.
Guard your right, father" cried Ros-
amund. He sprang round to see the
Saracen who had fallen on his feet
again. At him he went, nor did the
man wait the onset, but turned to fly,
only to find his death, for the great
sword caught him between neck and
shoulders. Now Il voice cried:
I'VE make poor sport with this old
lion, and lose men. Keep clear of his
claws and whelm him with spear
casts"
But Rosamund, who understood their
tongue, sprans in front Of him and an.
swered IN Arabic:
AYE, through my breast, and go tell
that tale to Saladin."
Then, clear and calm, was heard the
command of Georgios. "IIc who harms
a hair of the princess dies. Take them
both living if you may, but lay no
hand OF her. Stay. let us talk"
Rosamund touched her father and
pointed to the man who lay upon the
floor with IN arrow through his thigh.
He was struggling to his knee, raising
the heavy scimiter in his hand. Sir
Andrew lifted his sword as a husband.
man lifts a stick to kill p rat, then let II
fall again. saying:
81 fight not with the wounded. Drop
that steel and get you back to your own
folk"
The fellow obeyed hlm-yes, and even
touched the floor with his forehead in
Salaam as he crawled away, for be
knew that he had been given his life
and that the deed was noble toward
him who had planned a towards
stroke. Then Georglos stepped for.
ward, no longer the same Georgios who
had sold poisoned wine and eastern
broideries, but a proud looking. high
browed Saracen clad in the mail which
he wore beneath his merchants robe,
and in place of the crucifx wearing on
his breast a great star shaped jewel,
the emblem Of his house and rank.
"Slr Andrew" he said, 'hearken tc
me, I pray you. Noble was that act
and he pointed to the wounded man
being dragged away by his fellows,
land noble has been your defense. we'll
worthy OF your lineage and your knight.
hood. 1t Is Il tale that my master" and
he bowed as he said the word, Twill
love 70 hear If it pleases Allah that we
return to him in safety. Also you will
think that l have played q knave's trick
upon you. overcoming the might of
those gallant knights, Sir Goodwin and
Sir Wulf. not with sword blows, but
with druggsd wine, and treating all
your servants in like fashion, since not
n Of them can shake off it's fumes
before tomorrow's Light. So, indeed,
1t is a very scurvy trick, which l shall
remember with shame to my life's end.
Yet bethink you how we stand, and for.
give us. We are but a little company
of men In your great country, hidden,
as 1t were, in a den of lions, who. If
they saw us, would STAY us without
mercy. That, indeed, is n small thing,
for what are our lives, of which your
sword has taken t!thc, and not only
yours, but those Of the twin brethren
ON the quay by the water?"
81 thought it," broke in Sir Andrew
contemptuously. ~'"lndecd, that deed
was worthy of you-twenty or more
men against two"
Georgios held up his hand.
Judge us not harshly," he said,
speaking slowly, who for his own ends
,.HI 49,