The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-07-18


would rather place the accoade of knight
hood
While awaiting permission to approach
the King the hakim tried his skill upon
the sick squire of Kenneth of the Couch
ant Leopard and Thomas de Vaux visited
with curiosity and wonder the squalid
lodgings of the Scottish knight in order
that he might the better judge of the
methods and character of the physician
The hakim took from a pouch small,
| globular object looking like stone In
| cased in network of silver fligree and
immersing it for time in cup of water
and uttering over it certain spells, gave
the contents of the cup to the sick squire,
who soon fell into a refreshing Sleep
When the patient awoke the fever had
left him.
THE Knight of the Leopard" unused
the King when Sir Thomas told him of
what he had seen. 'Methinks 1 have seen
that same knight raise his eyes too high
for penniless and unknown adventurer.
But our fair cousin Edith is a Plantagenet
and, by ST. George. has at least her share
come in. I have more belief in the good
faith of Saladin than in that of some of
my fellow princes of the Crusade"
The hakim, grave and solemn man,
with flowing black beard, was as success
full in driving the fever from the King
he had been in banishing it from the
squire, and, refusing reward and caution
ing quiet and rest for while, left the
royal tent with a step which had in it
something of stateliness and authority.
But the repose of King Richard was not
destined to be of long endurance, for upon
questioning Sir Thomas further of the
Knight OF the Leopard and learning that
Kenneth had been on mission for the
council of the princes to the hermit of
Engaddi, he commanded the knight to be
brought before him. Being told by him
that the princes had besought the hermit
to act as an intermediary with Saladin to
arrange for a permanent peace and the
withdrawal of the troops of the Crusade
from Palestine the King flew into, fit
of anger and vowed vengeance upon the
traitors.
Meantime Conrade, Marques of Mont
serrat, and Giles Armaury, Grand Master
Of the knights Templars, seated at the
hospitable and wine-fooded board of the
Duke of Austria, were melting that SOW
ereign to more than his usual hatred and
jealousy of King Richard Both the Grand
Master and the Marques sought eagerly
to bring about the dissolution Of the Cru
SADIE, Armaury well knowing that, should
n ha of he lxnio oil
be greatly curbed under Christian King
of Jerusalem and Conrade, aware that
as tributary prince of such a king he
would not be allowed the opportunities for
oppression and plumber which he had en-
joyed as semi-independent Christian
prince under the protection of the Pay
MIN rulers. In the center of the camp
rose a slight mound or hilloclS from
which, at the top of a lofty staff, f1oated
the banner of England. The superiority
of the position of this standard over the
banners of the other princes of the Cru
SADIE was artfully dwelt upon by the plot
tiers until the Duke of Austria, infiamed
by drink, issued from his tent with a
crowd of shouting and half-intoxicated
companions and retainers, and, rushing
up the mound which was known as St.
Georges mount, planted long spear
bearing his own banner alongside the flag
of England.
Attracted by the noise and the shout
ing great concourse rushed from all
parts of the camp, and word was
brought to Richard in his tent of what
was taking place. Scarce had the duke
and boasting when into the circle
about the standards sprang the giant
form of Richard, the monarch of the
lion heart. The crowd relapsed into
silence like school boys caught at mis-
chief by the sudden appearance of the
master Half armored, pale and ema-
ciated, but with his great sword