Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-08-30

Presently he gave an order, whereon
they resumed their seats and messcn.
gers left the terrace. When THEY ap-
peared again, in their company were
three noble looking Saracens, who were
accompanied by n retinue Of servants
| and wore green turbans, showing that
they were descendants of the prophet.
These men, who seemed weary with
long travel. marched up the terrace
with a proud inlcn. not looking at the
dais or any one until they saw the
brethren standing side by side, ut whom
they stared n little.
who are you and what Is your
pleasuref" asked Sinan after he had
eyed them awhile. II am the ruler OF
this country. These are my ministers"
and he pointed to the dais. and here is
my scepter," and he touched the blood
red dagger broidered IN his robe Of
black.
The spokesman Of the embassy an.
swered him.
THAT scepter we know; IL has beer
seen afar. Twice already we have Gu,
down it's bearers even In the tent OF
u master. Lord Of murder, we nc
knowledge the emblem Of murder. A.
for our mission, 1t is this: We are the
ambassadors of S~alah-ed-din, command
or of the faithful. sultan Of the east.
In these papers signed with his signet
are u credentials, n you would read
them"
go" answered Slnan, II have heard
of that chief. What Is his will with
me-"
This. Al-jc.bal. A Frank in you
pay, and traitor, has betrayed to you
n certain lady. niece Of S~alah-ed-dln.
The sultan. S~alah-ed-din. having been
Informed Of this matter by his servant,
the prince IIassan. who escaped from
your soldiers, demands that this lady,
his niece. be delivered to him forth
with, and with her the head Of the
Frank Lozelle."
THE head of the Frank Lozelle he
may have, II he will, after tomorrow
night. The lady I keep snarled Sinan.
What them
"Then. Al-je-bal. in the name Of Sa.
lah-ed-din, we declare wal IN you-war
till this high place Of yours is pulled
stone from stone: war till your tribe be
dead. till the last man, woman and
child be slain, until your carcass 10
tossed to the crows to feed on"
Now Sinan rose in fury and rent his
beard.
go back" he said, land tell that dog
you name a sultan that, low as be Is.
the humble born son Of Ayoub. I. Allie
bal. do him an honor that he does not
observe. My queen is dead, and two
days from now. when my month Of
mourning is expired, I shall take to
wife his niece. the Princess Of Baalbec,
who sits here beside me, my bride
elect"
At these words Rosamund, who had
been listening intently. started like one
who has been stung by a snake, put
her hands before her face and groaned.
Princess said the ambassador, whe
was watching her, you seem to under.
stand our language. Is this your will,
to mate your noble blood with that of
the hereto chief Of the assassins?"
Nay. nay" she cried. 1T is no will
OF mine who am a helpless prisoner
and by faith a Christian. If my uncle
S~alah-ed-din Is indeed as great as I
have heard, then let him show his pow.
err and deliver NE, and with me these
my brethren, the knights Sir Goodwin
and Sir Wulf."
SO you speak Arabic" said Sinan.
Good; our loving converse will be
easier. and for the rest-well, the
whims of women change. Now, you
messengers of Salah-ed-din. bcSone, lest
send you on 4 longer journey. and
tell your master that if he dares to lif!
his standards againstmy walls my fedais
shall speak with him. BY day and by
night not for n moment shall he he
safe. Poison shall lurk In his cup and a
dagger in his bed. If he would escape
death. therefore, let him hide himself
within the walls Of bis city of Damas-
Gus or amuse himself with wars against
the mad cross worshipers. and leave
me to live in peace with this lady whom
l have chosen"
Great words. worthy of the great
assassin" said the ambassador.
Great words. in truth. which shall
be followed by great deeds. What
chance has this lord Of yours against a
nation sworn to obey to the death?
Iou smile2 Then come hither you
and you" And he summoned two Of
his Gais by name.
They rose and bowed before him.
Now, my worthy servants" he said,
'show these hereto dogs how you obey,
that their master may learn the power
Of your master. You are old and weary
of life. Begonc and await me in para
disc"
The old men bowed again, trembling
a little. Then, strengthening them
selves, without n word they ran side
by side and leapt into the abyss.
Was Salah-ed-din servants such as
these?" asked Slnan in the silence that
followed. We'll. what they have done
all would do IL I bid them slay him.
Back. now; and. If you will, take these
Franks With YOU. who are my guests,
that they may bear witness of what
you have seen and of the state in which
you left their sister. Translate to the
knights. woman"
So Masouda translated. Then God
win answered through her.
1--WE understand little Of this matter,
who nre Ignorant Of your tongue; but,