he narrow way. That is certain,
for all the city talks of it, and, whatever chances, Al-je-bal
will not deprive them of the spectacle of this fray to the death.
Well, you may fall, though that man at heart is a coward, which
you are not, for here courage alone will avail nothing, but
rather skill and horsemanship and trick of war. If so, then Sir
Godwin fights him, and of this business none can tell the end.
Should both of you go down, then I will do my best to save your
lady and take her to Salah-ed-din, with whom she will be safe, or
if I cannot save her I will find her a means to save herself by
death."

"You swear that?" said Wulf.

"I have said it; it is enough," she answered impatiently.

"Then I face the bridge and the knave Lozelle with a light
heart," said Wulf again, and Masouda went on.

"Now if you conquer, Sir Wulf, or if your fall and your brother
conquers, both of you--or one of you, as it may happen--must
gallop back at full speed toward the stable gate that lies more
than a mile from the castle bridge. Mounted as you are, no horse
can keep pace with you, nor must you stop at the gate, but ride
on, ride like the wind till you reach this place. The gardens
will be empty of feasters and of cup-bearers, who with every soul
within the city will have gathered on the walls and on the
house-tops to see the fray. There is but one fear--by then a
guard may be set before this mound, seeing that Salah-ed-din has
declared war upon Al-je-bal, and though yonder road is known to
few, it is a road, and sentries may watch here. If so, you must
cut them down or be cut down, and bring your story to an end. Sir
Godwin, here is another key that you may use if you are alone.
Take it."

He did so, and she continued:

"Now if both of you, or one of you, win through to this cave,
enter with your horses, lock the door, bar it, and wait. It may
be I will join you here with the princess. But if I do not come by
the dawn and you are not discovered and overwhelmed--which should
not be, seeing that one man can hold that door against many--then
know that the worst has happened, and fly to Salah-ed-din and
tell him of this road, by which he may take vengeance upon his
foe Sinan. Only then, I pray you, doubt not that I have done my
best, who if I fail must die--most horribly. Now, farewell, until
we meet again or--do not meet again. Go; you know the road."

They turned to obey, but when they had gone a few paces Godwin
looked