The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-07-26

bunub OF our SoldlerB, ana with you q
woman named Masouda and your klns.
men the two Frankish knights. by whose
skill In arms and courage you we're saved
Now, this Is to command you to come Ia
our court at Damascus 80 soon as YOU
may be flt to travel, knowing that here
you VIII be received with love and honor.
Also 1 Invite your kinsmen to accompany
you, since | knew their father and would
welcome knights who have done such
great deeds. and the woman Masouda
with them; or, II they prefer II, all three
OF them may return to their own lands
and peoples.
Hasten, my niece, Lady Rose Of the
World hasten, for my spirit seeks you,
ana my eyes desire to look upon you. In
the name Of Allah, greeting.
"You have heard" said Rosamund,
as Goodwin finished reading the scroll.
Nov, my cousins, what will you dor
what else but 90 with you, whom
we have come so far to seekT' an
swered Wulf and Goodwin nodded his
head In assent
And you, Muscular
II, ladyl Oh, go also, since were l
to return yondeT," and she nodded to-
ward the mountains my greeting
would be one that do not wish"
DO you note their words, Prince
HassanT asked Rosamund.
II expected no other" he answered,
with Low. "Only, knights, you must
give me a promise. IL Is that upon
this Journey you will not attempt to
| escape with the princess whom you
have followed from oversee to rescue
her out Of the hand Of Salah-ed-dln."
Goodwin drew from his tunlc the
cross which Rosamund had left him in
the hall at Steeple and saying, II
swear upon this holy symbol that dur
Ing our journey to Damascus will at
tempt no escape with or without my
cousin Rosamund,' he kissed II.
"And | swear the same upon my
sword" added Wulf.
"a security that like better" said
Hassan, with smile, but IN truth,
knights, your word Is enough for me-"
Then he looked at Masouda and went
on, still smiling: NAY, # Is useless, for
women who have dwelt yonder, oaths
have no meaning. Lady, we must be
content TO watch you, since my lord has
hidden you to his city. which, fair and
brave as you are. to be plain, I would |
not have done"
That same afternoon they started for
Damascus, great army of horsemen.
In Its midst guarded by thousand
spears. Rosamund was borne In a llt.
ter, In front of her rode Hassan, with
his yellow robed bodyguard; at her
side Masouda, and behind the breth-
rem, mounted upon ambling palfreys.
After them, led by slaves, came the
chargers Flame and Smoke and then
rank upon rank Of turbaned Saracens.
That evening they camped In the
desert and next morning, surrounded
by wandering tribes Of Bedoulns,
mounted on their camels, marched on
again, sleeping that night In the an
cient fortress Of Baalbec, whereof the
garrison and people, having been
warned by runners Of the rank and
titles of Rosamund, came out to do her
homage as their LADY.
Hearing Of It, she left her litter and,
a splendid horse which they
had sent her DIS present, rode to
meet them, the brethren, IN full armor
and once more bestridihg Flame and
Smoke beside her and a guard Of
own mamelukes behind. Sol
emn, turbaned men, who had been
so to do by messengers
from the sultan, brought her the keys
IF the gates on cushion, mlnstrels
md soldiers marched before her. while
the walls and running along
ide came the citizens In their thou
ands. Thus she went on, through the
pen gates, past the towering columns
( ruined temples once home of the
7orshlp of heather gods, through
Ourts and vaults to the citadel sur
Ounded by It's gardens that In dead
ges had been the AcropOlis Of forgot
IN Roman emperors,
Here In the pOrtlco Rosamund turned
err horse and received the salutations
( the multitude as though she also I
,ere one Of the worlds rulers. In.
eed, 1t seemed to the brethren watch a
* her as she sat upon the great b
'hite horse and surveyed the shouting, II
ending crowd with flashing eyes, 81
Dlendid in her bearing and beautiful
, see, a prince at her stirup and an g
rmy at her back, that truly by blood 81
nd nature she was fitted to be a
ueen. Yet as Rosamund sat thus the a
.lde passed from her face ana her &
res fell.
"Of what are you thlnklngH" asked "
edwin at her side. II
"That would we were back among
@ summer fields at Steeple," she an kl
Vered, "for those who are lifted high m