第108章 The Luck of the Star of Hassan(5)

Good horses stand without; take them as my gift, and ride with these foolish citizens of Jerusalem.We may meet again within its streets.Nay, thank me not.I thank you who have taught Salah-ed-din how perfect a thing can be the love of brothers."The brethren stood awhile bewildered, for it is a strange thing thus to come back from death to life.Each of them had made sure that he must die within some few minutes, and pass through the blackness which walls man in, to find he knew not what.And now, behold! the road that led to that blackness turned again at its very edge, and ran forward through the familiar things of earth to some end unknown.They were brave, both of them, and accustomed to face death daily, as in such a place and time all men must be; moreover, they had been shriven, and looked to see the gates of Paradise open on their newborn sight.

Yet, since no man loves that journey, it was very sweet to know it done with for a while, and that they still might hope to dwell in this world for many years.Little wonder, then, that their brains swam, and their eyes grew dim, as they passed from the shadow to the light again.It was Wulf who spoke the first.

"A noble deed, Godwin, yet one for which I should not have thanked you had it been accomplished, who then must have lived on by grace of your sacrifice.Sultan, we are grateful for your boon of life, though had you shed this innocent blood surely it would have stained your soul.May we bid farewell to our cousin Rosamund before we ride?""Nay," answered Saladin; "Sir Godwin has done that already--let it serve for both.To-morrow she shall learn the truth of the story.Now go, and return no more.""That must be as fate wills," answered Godwin, and they bowed and went.

Outside that gloomy place of death their swords were given them, and two good horses, which they mounted.Hence guides led them to the embassy from Jerusalem that was already in the saddle, who were very glad to welcome two such knights to their company.

Then, having bid farewell to the bishop Egbert, who wept for joy at their escape, escorted for a while by Saladin's soldiers, they rode away from Ascalon at the fall of night.

Soon they had told each other all there was to tell.When he heard of the woe of Rosamund Wulf well-nigh shed tears.

"We have our lives," he said, "but how shall we save her? While Masouda stayed with her there was some hope, but now I can see none.""There is none, except in God," answered Godwin, "Who can do all things--even free Rosamund and make her your wife.Also, if Masouda is at liberty, we shall hear from her ere long; so let us keep a good heart."But though he spoke thus, the soul of Godwin was oppressed with a fear which he could not understand.It seemed as though some great terror came very close to him, or to one who was near and dear.Deeper and deeper he sank into that pit of dread of he knew not what, until at length he could have cried aloud, and his brow was bathed with a sweat of anguish.Wulf saw his face in the moonlight, and asked:

"What ails you, Godwin? Have you some secret wound?''

"Yes, brother," he answered, "a wound in my spirit.III fortune threatens us--great ill fortune.""That is no new thing," said Wulf, "in this land of blood and sorrows.Let us meet it as we have met the rest.""Alas! brother," exclaimed Godwin, "I fear that Rosamund is in sore danger--Rosamund or another.""Then," answered Wulf, turning pale, "since we cannot, let us pray that some angel may deliver her.""Ay," said Godwin, and as they rode through the desert sands beneath the silent stars, they prayed to the Blessed Mother, and to their saints, St.Peter and St.Chad--prayed with all their strength.Yet the prayer availed not.Sharper and sharper grew Godwin's agony, till, as the slow hours went by, his very soul reeled beneath this spiritual pain, and the death which he had escaped seemed a thing desirable.

The dawn was breaking, and at its first sign the escort of Saladin's soldiers had turned and left them, saying that now they were safe in their own country.All night they had ridden fast and far.The plain was behind them, and their road ran among hills.Suddenly it turned, and in the flaming lights of the new-born day showed them a sight so beautiful that for a moment all that little company drew rein to gaze.For yonder before them, though far away as yet, throned upon her hills, stood the holy city of Jerusalem.There were her walls and towers, and there, stained red as though with the blood of its worshippers, soared the great cross upon the mosque of Omar--that cross which was so soon to fall.

Yes, yonder was the city for which throughout the ages men had died by tens and hundreds of thousands, and still must die until the doom was done.Saladin had offered to spare her citizens if they consented to surrender, but they would not.This embassy had told him that they had sworn to perish with the holy Places, and now, looking at it in its splendour, they knew that the hour was near, and groaned aloud.

Godwin groaned also, but not for Jerusalem.Oh! now the last terror was upon him.Blackness surged round him, and in the blackness swords, and a sound as of a woman's voice murmuring his name.Clutching the pommel of his saddle, he swayed to and fro, till suddenly the anguish passed.A strange wind seemed to blow about him and lift his hair; a deep, unearthly peace sank into his spirit; the world seemed far away and heaven very near.

"It is over," he said to Wulf."I fear that Rosamund is dead.""If so, we must make haste to follow her," answered Wulf with a sob.