Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-10-04

AkSa, ana on every tower and wall
1oated the yellow banners Of Saladln.
All who had money paid their ransoms,
and those who had none begged and
borrowed it as they could, and If they
| could not gave themselves over to de-
| spalr and slavery. Only the patriarch
Heraclius, forgetting the misery of
these wretched ones, carried Off his
own great wealth and the gold plate of
the churches.
| Then Saladln showed his mercy, for
he freed all the aged without charge
and from his own treasure paid the
ransom Of hundreds of ladies' whose
husbands and fathers had fallen in
battle or lay in prison in other cities.
SO for forty days, headed by Queen
Sybilla and her ladies. that sad pro.
cession Of the vanquished marched
through the gates, and there were
many Of them who as they passed the
| cOnqueror seated in state halted to
make a prayer to him for those who
were left behind. A few also who re.
| membered Rosamund and that it was
because of her sacrifice that they con-
him that II they were not already dead
he would spare her and her brave
knight.
At length 1t was over. and Saladin
took possession Of the city Having
purged the great mosque. washing II
with rosewatcr. he worshiped IN it
after his own fashion and distributed
fh., o,t ,,r flo ~
| pay no ransom as slaves among his
! emirs and followers. Thus did the
crescent triumph over the cross in
Jerusalem. not in sea of blood as
ninety years before the cross had tri
umphed over the crescent within its
walls but with what in those days
passed for gentleness, peace and mer
| Cy
During all those forty days Rosa
mund and Wifi lay in their separate
| prisons, awaiting their doom of death
| The letter of Goodwin was brought to
Wulf, who read it and rejoiced to
learn that his brother lived. Then II
was taken from him to Rosamund,
who, although she rejoiced also, wept
over it and wondered u little what il
might mean. OF one thing she was
sure from its wording-that they had
no hope of life.
They knew that Jerusalem had fall
en-, for they heard the shouts of tri-
umph of tie Moslems and from far
away through their prison bars could
see the endless multitude of fugltives
passing the ancient gates laden with
| baggage and leading their children by
the hand to seek refuge in the cities
! of the coast At this sight. although
it was so sad. Rosamund was happy,
| knowing also that now she would not
! suffer in vain.
At length the camp broke up, Saladin
and many of the soldiers entering Je-
rusalcm. but still the pair We're left
! languishing in their dismal cells, which
were fashioned from old tombs. One
evening while Rosamund was kneeling
at prayer before she sought her bed
there appeared a glittering captain
and guard of soldiers. who saluted
her and babe her follow him.
SIS it the end?' she ask ed.
Lady" he answered, ut Is the end"
So she bowed her head meekly and fol-
lowed. Without, litter was ready. in
which they placed her and bore her
through the bright moonlight into the
city Of Jerusalem and along the Way
Of Sorrow till they halted at a great
door, which she knew again. for by it
stood the ancient arch.
"They have brought me back to the
convent of the Holy Cross to kill me-"
she murmured to herself as she de-
scended from the litter.
Then the doors were thrown open,
and she entered the great courtyard Of
the convent and saw that it was deco
rated as though for festival. for
about it and in the cloisters around
hung many lamps. More. these clois-
| tiers and the space in front Of them
We're crowded with Saracen lords,
wearing their robes of state, while
yonder sat Saladin and his court.
They would make brave show of
my DEATH" thought Rosamund again.
! Then a little cry broke from her lips,
for there, in front Of the throne of Sala-
din, the moonlight and the lamp blaze
shining on his armor, stood u tall Chris
tan knight. At that cry he turned his
head, and she grew sure that it was
Wulf, wasted somewhat and grown
pale, but still Wulf.
$50 we are to die together" she
whispered to herself then walked for
ward with proud step amid the deep
silence. and, having bowed to Saladin,
took the hand Of Wulf and held it.
The sultan looked at them and said:
However long it may be delayed,
the day Of fate must break at last
Say, Franks, are you prepared to drink
the dregs Of that cup promised your"
1--WE are prepared" they answered
with one voice.
do you grieve now that you laid
down your lives to save those of all
jerusalem" he asked again.
may" Rosamund answered, glanc-
ing at Wulf's face; I'VE rejoice ex-
ceedingly that God has been so good
to US"
81, too, rejoice" said saladin, land
I, too, thank Allah, who in bygone days
sent me that vision which has given
me back the holy city of Jerusalem
without bloodshed. Now all is accom-.