The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-04-07

desired
Down with him; seize the princess
said a voice. 1t was that of GecrSios.
no longer humble with merchants
obseauious whine. but speaking in
tones OF cold command and in Arabic.
For a moment the swarthy mob hung
back. as we'll they might in face of that
glittcring sword. Then with il cry OF
.Sa lab ed din, Salah-ed-din" on they
surged, with flashing spears and scim-
tiers. The overtnrown table was in
front of them, and one leaped upon its
edge, but as he ieaped the old knight,
all his years and sickness forgotten
now, sprang forward and struck down
ward 50 heavy a blow that in the
darkling mouth Of the passage the
sparks streamed out and where the
Saracens 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 1t 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 shout at the crowd
who followed and, catching their blows
upon his shield. rained down others so
desperate that, being hampered by
their very number, they gave before
him and staggered back along the pas
sage.
Guard your right, fatherv' 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 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, sprang in front of him and an
swered in Arabic:
AYE, through my breast, and so tell
that tale to Saladin!'
Then, clear and calm, was heard the
command of Georgios. "He who harms
hair of the princess dies. Take them
both living if you may, but lay no
hand on her. Stay, let us talk"
Rosamund touched her father and
pointed to the man who lay upon the
floor with an 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 stick to kill a rat, then let il
fall again, saying:
81 fight not with the wounded. Drop
that steel and get you back to your own
.olk"
The fellow opeyed him-yes, and even
touched the floor with his forehead In
salaam as he crawled away, for he
knew that he had been given his life
and that the deed was noble toward
him who had planned a towards
stroke. Then Georgios stepped for.
ward, no longer the same Georgios who
had sold poisoned wine and eastern
broideries, but proud looking high
browed Saracen clad in the mail which
he wore beneath his merchants robe
and in place of the crucifix wearing OIL
his breast great star shaped jewel
the emblem of his house and rank.
'Sir Andrew" he said, "hearken t.
me. 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, well
worthy Of vo,-r lipoo oo nd ro,,r L {pb f.
hood. 1t is tale that my MASTER" and
he bowed as he said the word, Evil
love to hear if it pleases Allah that we
return to him in safety. Also you will
think that have played knave's trick
upon you, overcoming the might oil
those gallant knights. Sir Goodwin ant
! Sir Wulf, not with sword blows, bu
with drugged wine, and treating al
your servants in like fashion, since no
one of them can shake off its fumes
before tomorrow's light So, indeed
it is a very scurvy trick, which shall
remember with shame to my lifes end
Yet bethink you how we stand, and for
give us. We are but little company
of men in your great country, hidden
! as it were. in a den of lions, who, Il
they saw us, would STAY us withou
mercy. That, indeed, is a small thing
! for what are our lives, of which you
sword has taken tithe, and not only
yours, but those of the twin brethren
/ on the quay by the water?"
81 thought it," broke in Sir Andrew
contemptuously. Indeed, that deet
was worthy of you-twenty or NOR,
men against two"
/ Georgios held up his hand.
Judge us not harshly,'' he said
speaking slowly, who for his own end
wished to gain time, you who hav,
read the letter of our lord. The lette
failed. for neither you nor the prin
cess"--and he bowed to Rosamund-
could be bought More, the who'll
country was Awakened; you were sur
rounded with armed men; the knight,
brethren kept watch and ward owe
you. Therefore, because must l, VIII
am a prince and an emir, became
/ dealer in drugged wine.
"Now hearken. Yield you, Sir An
! drew, who have done enough to max
your name a song for generations, att
accept the love of Salah-ed-din, who's
word you have, the word that, as vol
| know well, cannot be broken. which
q