efore him.

"Now, my worthy servants," he said, "show these heretic dogs how
you obey, that their master may learn the power of your master.
You are old and weary of life. Begone, and await me in Paradise."

The old men bowed again, trembling a little. Then, straightening
themselves, without a word they ran side by side and leapt into
the abyss.

"Has Salah-ed-din servants such as these?" asked Sinan in the
silence that followed. "Well, what they have done, all would do,
if 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 Godwin answered through her.

"We understand little of this matter, who are ignorant of your
tongue, but, O Al-je-bal, ere we leave your sheltering roof we
have a quarrel to settle with the man Lozelle. After that, with
your permission, we will go, but not before."

Now Rosamund sighed as if in relief, and Sinan answered:

"As you will; so be it," adding, "Give these envoys food and
drink before they go."

But their spokesman answered: "We partake not of the bread and
salt of murderers, lest we should become of their fellowship.
Al-je-bal, we depart, but within a week we appear again in the
company of ten thousand spears, and on one of them shall your
head be set. Your safe-conduct guards us till the sunset. After
that, do your worst, as we do ours. High Princess, our counsel to
you is that you slay yourself and so gain immortal honour."

Then, bowing to her one by one, they turned and marched down the
terrace followed by their servants.

Now Sinan waved his hand and the court broke up, Rosamund leaving
it first, accompanied by Masouda and escorted by guards, after
which the brethren were commanded to depart also.

So they went, talking earnestly of all these things, but save in
God finding no hope at all.

Chapter Fourteen: The Combat on the Bridge

"Saladin will come," said Wulf the hopeful, and from the high
place where they stood he pointed to the plain beneath, across
which a band of horsemen moved at full gallop. "Look; yonder goes
his embassy."

"Ay," answered Godwin, "he will come, but, I fear me, too late."

"Yes, brother, unless we go to meet him. Masouda has promised."

"Masouda," sighed Godwin. "Ah! to think that so much should hang
upon the faithfulness of o