The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-04-12


preach a sermon from which they
learned much. He spoke at length Of
the great coming war with Saladin.
whom, he named antichrist. Moreover,
he prayed them all to compose their
differences and prepare for that awful
struggle.
-Four full days have gone by. Let
US ask our hostess if she has any news
for u.s. said Wifi as they walked back
to the inn.
AS it Glanced. there was no need, for
when they entered their chamber they
found Mascuda standing in the center
of it, apparently lost in thought.
II have come to speak with you" she
said. Il have leave for you to so to
visit Al-je>bal. but counsel you not to
go. since Is is dangerous. Let us be
open with one another l know your
object knew 1t an hour before ever
you set foot upon this shore. and that
is why you were brought to my house.
You would seek the help of the lord
Sinan against Saiah-ed- din. from whom
you hope to rescue certain great lady
OF his blood who is your kinswoman
and whom both of you-desire in mar
riaGe The trader Thomas Is a spy. To
him your story has been passed on by
other spies in England, and he passed
it on to me-" .,.,. ST.
Are, then, you spy also, as the
porter called your" asked Wulf out
right.
II am what / am" she answered
leo "
oaths and serve rs you serve. Who my
master is or why l do SO is naught to
you. But I like you we'll. Therefore I
warn you that the lord Al-je-bal is one
who takes payment for what he gives.
and that this business may cost you
your lives"
'You seem to know our story" said
Goodwin, and the mission to which we
are sworn. You talk Of our lives. Well.
they are asked of us we will yield them
up, having done all that we may do"
"But why would you 60 to Al-je-bal?"
answered Masouda.
Because our uncle at his death babe
us so to do without fail, and, having no
other counsel, we will take that Of his
spirit, let come what may"
"Well spoken. Then to Al-je-bal you
shall go, and let come what may to all
three Of u.s.!
ITO all three OF us?" said Wuif.
what, then, is your part in this mat
teri"
IL do not know, but perhaps more
than you think. At least / must be
your guide"
do you mean to betray us?" asked
Wulf bluntly.
"Ask your brother II he thinks that
I mean to betray you. No: mean to
save you, IL I can. Pilgrims to the
fearful shrine Of Al-je-bal. II it pleases
you. we will ride at nightfall. Do not
trouble about food and such matters.
I will make preparation, but we 60
alone and secretly. Take only your arms
and what garments you may need; the
rest I will store. and for 1t give you
my receipt. Now I 60 to make things
ready. See, I pray of you, that the
horses Flame and Smoke are saddled
by sunset"
At shutdown, accordingly, the breth-
rem stood waiting in their room. They
were fully armed beneath their rough
pilgrims robes. Also the saddlebags
of carpet which Masouda had given
them were packed with such things as
they must take.
Presently the door opened, and a
young man stood before them clothed
In the rough camel hair garment, or
burnoose, which is common in the east.
"What do you want?" asked God
win.
II want you, brothers Peter and
john" was the reply. and they saw
that the slim young man was Masouda.
"Henceforth be pleased to forget the
widow Masouda and until we reach the
land of, Al-je-bal, to remember that I
am your servant. a half breed from
Jaffa named David, Of no religion
or of all"
In the stable the horses stood sad
died, and near to them another-a good
Arab-and two laden Cyprian mules,
but no attendant was to be seen. They
brought them out and mounted, Ma
SCUBA riding like a man and leading
the mules, of which the head Of one
was tied to the tail Of the other. Five
minutes later they were clear Of Beirut,
and through the solemn twilight hush
followed the road wherein they had
tried the horses toward the Dog river,
three leagues away. which Masouda
said they would reach by moonrise.
Soon 1t grew very dark. and she rode
alongside of them to show them the
path, but they did not talk much. Pick
ing their way along the stony road at
a slow amb!e, they crossed the bed of
two streams, then almost dry, till at
length they heard running water sound
ing above that Of the slow wash of the
sea to their left, and Masouda babe
them halt. So they aited until pres
emily the moon rose a clear sky, re-
yealing wide river in front
Follow me-" said Masouda, "for
know the ford, and at this season the
stream is not deep. Pilgrim Peter,
ride you at my side in case / should
be washed from the saddle, and, Pill
grim John, come you behind. and il
they hang back prick the mules with
your sword point"
ThuS than arforaJ <h1 r;ra-