Chapter Eight: The Widow Masouda
Many months had gone by since the brethren sat upon their horsesthat winter morning, and from the shrine of St.Peter's-on-the-Wall, at the mouth of the Blackwater in Essex,watched with anguished hearts the galley of Saladin sailingsouthwards; their love and cousin, Rosamund, standing a prisoneron the deck. Having no ship in which to follow her--and this,indeed, it would have been too late to do--they thanked those whohad come to aid them, and returned home to Steeple, where theyhad matters to arrange. As they went they gathered from this manand that tidings which made the whole tale clear to them.
They learned, for instance, then and afterwards, that the galleywhich had been thought to be a merchantman put into the riverCrouch by design, feigning an injury to her rudder, and that onChristmas eve she had moved up with the tide, and anchored in theBlackwater about three miles from its mouth. Thence a great boat,which she towed behind her, and which was afterwards foundabandoned, had rowed in the dusk, keeping along the further shoreto avoid observation, to the mouth of Steeple Creek, which shedescended at dark, making fast to the Staithe, unseen of any. Hercrew of thirty men or more, guided by the false palmer Nicholas,next hid themselves in the grove of trees about fifty yards fromthe house, where traces of them were found afterwards, waitingfor the signal, and, if that were necessary, ready to attack andburn the Hall while all men feasted there. But it was notnecessary, since the cunning scheme of the drugged wine, whichonly an Eastern could have devised, succeeded. So it happenedthat the one man they had to meet in arms was an old knight, ofwhich doubtless they were glad, as their numbers being few, theywished to avoid a desperate battle, wherein many must fall, and,if help came, they might be all destroyed.
When it was over they led Rosamund to the boat, felt their waydown the creek, towing behind them the little skiff which theyhad taken from the water-house--laden with their dead andwounded. This, indeed, proved the most perilous part of theiradventures, since it was very dark, and came on to snow; alsotwice they grounded upon mud banks. Still guided by Nicholas, whohad studied the river, they reached the galley before dawn, andwith the first light weighed anchor, and very cautiously rowedout to sea. The rest is known.
Two days later, since there was no time to spare, Sir Andrew wasburied with great pomp at Stangate Abbey, in the same tomb wherelay the heart of his brother, the father of the brethren, who hadfallen in the Eastern wars. After he had been laid to rest amidstmuch lamentation and in the presence of a great concourse ofpeople, for the fame of these strange happenings had travelledfar and wide, his will was opened. Then it was found that withthe exception of certain sums of money left to his nephews, alegacy to Stangate Abbey, and another to be devoted to masses forthe repose of his soul, with some gifts to his servants and thepoor, all his estate was devised to his daughter Rosamund. Thebrethren, or the survivor of them, however, held it in trust onher behalf, with the charge that they should keep watch and wardover her, and manage her lands till she took a husband.
These lands, together with their own, the brethren placed in thehands of Prior John of Stangate, in the presence of witnesses, toadminister for them subject to the provisions of the will, takinga tithe of the rents and profits for his pains. The pricelessjewels also that had been sent by Saladin were given into hiskeeping, and a receipt with a list of the same signed induplicate, deposited with a clerk at Southminster. This, indeed,was necessary, seeing that none save the brethren and the Priorknew of these jewels, of which, being of so great a value, it wasnot safe to speak. Their affairs arranged, having first madetheir wills in favour of each other with remainder to theirheirs-at-law, since it was scarcely to be hoped that both of themwould return alive from such a quest, they received theCommunion, and with it his blessing from the hands of the PriorJohn. Then early one morning, before any were astir, they rodequietly away to London.
On the top of Steeple Hill, sending forward the servant who ledthe mule laden with their baggage--that same mule which had beenleft by the spy Nicholas--the brethren turned their horses' headsto look in farewell on their home. There to the north of them laythe Blackwater, and to the west the parish of Mayland, towardswhich the laden barges crept along the stream of Steeple Creek.Below was the wide, flat, plain outlined with trees, and in it,marked by the plantation where the Saracens had hid, the Hall andchurch of Steeple, the home in which they had grown fromchildhood to youth, and from youth to man's estate in the companyof the fair, lost Rosamund, who was the love of both, and whomboth went forth to seek. That past was all behind them, and infront a dark and troublous future, of which they could not readthe mystery nor guess the end.
Would they ever look on Steeple Hall again? Were they who stoodthere about to match their strength and courage against all themight of Saladin, doomed to fail or gloriously to succeed?
Through the darkness that shrouded their forward path shone onebright star of love--but for which of them did that star shine,or was it perchance for neither? They knew not. How could theyknow aught save that the venture seemed very desperate. Indeed,the few to whom they had spoken of it thought them mad. Yet theyremembered the last words of Sir Andrew, bidding them keep a highheart, since he believed that things would yet go well. It seemedto them, in truth, that they were not quite alone--as though hisbrave spirit companioned them on their search, guiding theirfeet, with ghostly counsel which they could not hear.
They remembered also their oaths to him, to one another, and toRosamund; and in silent token that they would keep them to thedeath, pressed each other's hands. Then, turning their horsessouthwards, they rode forward with light hearts, not caring whatbefell, if only at the last, living or dead, Rosamund and herfather should, in his own words, find no cause to be ashamed ofthem.
Through the hot haze of a July morning a dromon, as certainmerchant vessels of that time were called, might have been seendrifting before a light breeze into St. George's Bay at Beirut,on the coast of Syria. Cyprus, whence she had sailed last, wasnot a hundred miles away, yet she had taken six days to do thejourney, not on account of storms--of which there were none atthis time of year, but through lack of wind to move her. Still,her captain and the motley crowd of passengers--for the most partEastern merchants and their servants, together with a number ofpilgrims of all nations--thanked God for so prosperous avoyage--for in those times he who crossed the seas withoutshipwreck was very fortunate.
Among these passengers were Godwin and Wulf, travelling, as theiruncle had bidden them, unattended by squires or by servants. Uponthe ship they passed themselves off as brothers named Peter andJohn of Lincoln, a town of which they knew something, havingstayed there on their way to the Scottish wars; simple gentlemenof small estate, making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land inpenitence for their sins and for the repose of the souls of theirfather and mother. At this tale their fellow-passengers, withwhom they had sailed from Genoa, to which place they travelledoverland, shrugged their shoulders. For these brethren lookedwhat they were, knights of high degree; and considering theirgreat stature, long swords, and the coats of mail they alwayswore beneath their gambesons, none believed them but plaingentlefolk bent on a pious errand. Indeed, they nicknamed themSir Peter and Sir John, and as such they were known throughoutthe voyage.
The brethren were seated together in a little place apart in thebow of the ship, and engaged, Godwin in reading from an Arabictranslation of the Gospels made by some Egyptian monk, and Wulfin following it with little ease in the Latin version. Of theformer tongue, indeed, they had acquired much in their youth,since they learned it from Sir Andrew with Rosamund, althoughthey could not talk it as she did, who had been taught to lisp itas an infant by her mother. Knowing, too, that much might hangupon a knowledge of this tongue, they occupied their long journeyin studying it from such books as they could get; also inspeaking it with a priest, who had spent many years in the East,and instructed them for a fee, and with certain Syrian merchantsand sailors.
"Shut the book, brother," said Wulf; "there is Lebanon at last,"
and he pointed to the great line of mountains revealingthemselves dimly through their wrappings of mist. "Glad I am tosee them, who have had enough of these crooked scrolls andlearnings."
"Ay," said Godwin, "the Promised Land."
"And the Land of Promise for us," answered his brother. "Well,thank God that the time has come to act, though how we are to setabout it is more than I can say."
"Doubtless time will show. As our uncle bade, we will seek outthis Sheik Jebal---"
"Hush!" said Wulf, for just then some merchants, and with them anumber of pilgrims, their travel-worn faces full of rapture atthe thought that the terrors of the voyage were done, and thatthey were about to set foot upon the ground their Lord hadtrodden, crowded forward to the bow to obtain their first view ofit, and there burst into prayers and songs of thanksgiving.Indeed, one of these men--a trader known as Thomas ofIpswich--was, they found, standing close to them, and seemed asthough he listened to their talk.
The brethren mingled with them while this same Thomas of Ipswich,who had visited the place before, or so it seemed, pointed outthe beauties of the city, of the fertile country by which it wassurrounded, and of the distant cedar-clad mountains where, as hesaid, Hiram, King of Tyre, had cut the timber for Solomon'sTemple.
"Have you been on them?" asked Wulf.
"Ay, following my business," he answered, "so far." And he showedthem a great snow-capped peak to the north. "Few ever gofurther."
"Why not?" asked Godwin.
"Because there begins the territory of the Sheik Al-je-bal"--andhe looked at them meaningly--"whom," he added, "neither Christiannor Saracen visit without an invitation, which is seldom given."
Again they inquired why not.
"Because," answered the trader, still watching them, "most menlove their lives, and that man is the lord of death and magic.Strange things are to be seen in his castle, and about it liewonderful gardens inhabited by lovely women that are evilspirits, who bring the souls of men to ruin. Also, this Old Manof the Mountain is a great murderer, of whom even all theprinces of the East are terrified, for he speaks a word to hisfedais--or servants--who are initiated, and they go forth andbring to death any whom he hates. Young men, I like you well, andI say to you, be warned. In this Syria there are many wonders tobe seen; leave those of Masyaf and its fearful lord alone if youdesire to look again upon--the towers of Lincoln."
"Fear not; we will," answered Godwin, "who come to seek holyplaces--not haunts of devils."
"Of course we will," added Wulf. "Still, that country must beworth travelling in."
Then boats came out to greet them from the shore--for at thattime Beirut was in the hands of the Franks--and in the shoutingand confusion which followed they saw no more of this merchantThomas. Nor did they seek him out again, since they thought itunwise to show themselves too curious about the Sheik Al-je-bal.Indeed, it would have been useless, since that trader was ashoretwo full hours before they were suffered to leave the ship, fromwhich he departed alone in a private boat.
At length they stood in the motley Eastern crowd upon the quay,wondering where they could find an inn that was quiet and ofcheap charges, since they did not wish to be considered personsof wealth or importance. As they lingered here, somewhatbewildered, a tall, veiled woman whom they had noted watchingthem, drew near, accompanied by a porter, who led a donkey. Thisman, without more ado, seized their baggage, and helped by otherporters began to fasten it upon the back of the donkey with greatrapidity, and when they would have forbidden him, pointed to theveiled woman.
"Your pardon," said Godwin to her at length and speaking inFrench, "but this man--"
"Loads up your baggage to take it to my inn. It is cheap, quietand comfortable--things which I heard you say you required justnow, did I not?" she answered in a sweet voice, also speaking ingood French.
Godwin looked at Wulf, and Wulf at Godwin, and they began todiscuss together what they should do. When they had agreed thatit seemed not wise to trust themselves to the care of a strangewoman in this fashion, they looked up to see the donkey ladenwith their trunks being led away by the porter.
"Too late to say no, I fear me," said the woman with a laugh, "soyou must be my guests awhile if you would not lose your baggage.Come, after so long a journey you need to wash and eat. Followme, sirs, I pray you."
Then she walked through the crowd, which, they noted, parted forher as she went, to a post where a fine mule was tied. Loosingit, she leaped to the saddle without help, and began to rideaway, looking back from time to time to see that they werefollowing her, as, indeed, they must.
"Whither go we, I wonder," said Godwin, as they trudged throughthe sands of Beirut, with the hot sun striking on their heads.
"Who can tell when a strange woman leads?" replied Wulf, with alaugh.
At last the woman on the mule turned through a doorway in a wallof unburnt brick, and they found themselves before the porch ofa white, rambling house which stood in a large garden plantedwith mulberries, oranges and other fruit trees that were strangeto them, and was situated on the borders of the city.
Here the woman dismounted and gave the mule to a Nubian who waswaiting. Then, with a quick movement she unveiled herself, andturned towards them as though to show her beauty. Beautiful shewas, of that there could be no doubt, with her graceful, swayingshape, her dark and liquid eyes, her rounded features andstrangely impassive countenance. She was young also--perhapstwenty-five, no more--and very fair-skinned for an Eastern.
"My poor house is for pilgrims and merchants, not for famousknights; yet, sirs, I welcome you to it," she said presently,scanning them out of the corners of her eyes.
"We are but squires in our own country, who make the pilgrimage,"replied Godwin. "For what sum each day will you give us board anda good room to sleep in?"
"These strangers," she said in Arabic to the porter, "do notspeak the truth."
"What is that to you?" he answered, as he busied himself inloosening the baggage. "They will pay their score, and all sortsof mad folk come to this country, pretending to be what they arenot. Also you sought them--why, I know not--not they you."
"Mad or sane, they are proper men," said the impassive woman, asthough to herself, then added in French, "Sirs, I repeat, this isbut a humble place, scarce fit for knights like you, but if youwill honour it, the charge is--so much."
"We are satisfied," said Godwin, "especially," he added, with abow and removing the cap from his head, "as, having brought ushere without leave asked, we are sure that you will treat us whoare strangers kindly."
"As kindly as you wish--I mean as you can pay for," said thewoman. "Nay, I will settle with the porter; he would cheat you."
Then followed a wrangle five minutes long between this curious,handsome, still-faced woman and the porter who, after the easternfashion, lashed himself into a frenzy over the sum she offered,and at length began to call her by ill names.
She stood looking at him quite unmoved, although Godwin, whounderstood all, but pretended to understand nothing, wondered ather patience. Presently, however, in a perfect foam of passion hesaid, or rather spat out: "No wonder, Masouda the Spy, that afterhiring me to do your evil work, you take the part of theseChristian dogs against a true believer, you child of Al-je-bal!"
Instantly the woman seemed to stiffen like a snake about tostrike.
"Who is he?" she said coldly. "Do you mean the lord--who kills?"And she looked at him--a terrible look.
At that glance all the anger seemed to go out of the man.
"Your pardon, widow Masouda," he said. "I forgot that you are aChristian, and naturally side with Christians. The money willnot pay for the wear of my ass's hoofs, but give it me, and letme go to pilgrims who will reward me better."
She gave him the sum, adding in her quiet voice: "Go; and if youlove life, keep better watch over your words."
Then the porter went, and now so humble was his mien that in hisdirty turban and long, tattered robe he looked, Wulf thought,more like a bundle of rags than
a man mounted on the donkey'sback. Also it came into his mind that their strange hostess hadpowers not possessed by innkeepers in England. When she hadwatched him through the gate, Masouda turned to them and said inFrench:
"Forgive me, but here in Beirut these Saracen porters areextortionate, especially towards us Christians. He was deceivedby your appearance. He thought that you were knights, not simplepilgrims as you avow yourselves, who happen to be dressed andarmed like knights beneath your gambesons; and," she added,fixing her eyes upon the line of white hair on Godwin's headwhere the sword had struck him in the fray on Death Creek quay,"show the wounds of knights, though it is true that a man mightcome by such in any brawl in a tavern. Well, you are to pay me agood price, and you shall have my best room while it pleases youto honour me with your company. Ah! your baggage. You do not wishto leave it. Slave, come here."
With startling suddenness the Nubian who had led away the muleappeared, and took up some of the packages. Then she led themdown a passage into a large, sparsely-furnished room with highwindows, in which were two beds laid on the cement floor, andasked them if it pleased them.
They said: "Yes; it will serve." Reading what passed in theirminds, she added: "Have no fear for your baggage. Were you asrich as you say you are poor, and as noble as you say you arehumble, both it and you are safe in the inn of the widow Masouda,O my guests--but how are you named?"
"Peter and John."
"O, my guests, Peter and John, who have come to visit the land ofPeter and John and other holy founders of our faith--"
"And have been so fortunate as to be captured on its shore by thewidow Masouda," answered Godwin, bowing again.
"Wait to speak of the fortune until you have done with her,Sir--is it Peter, or John?" she replied, with something like asmile upon her handsome face.
"Peter," answered Godwin. "Remember the pilgrim with the line ofwhite hair is Peter."
"You need it to distinguish you apart, who, I suppose, are twins.Let me see--Peter has a line of white hair and grey eyes. Johnhas blue eyes. John also is the greater warrior, if a pilgrim canbe a warrior--look at his muscles; but Peter thinks the more. Itwould be hard for a woman to choose between Peter and John, whomust both of them be hungry, so I go to prepare their food."
"A strange hostess," said Wulf, laughing, when she had left theroom; "but I like her, though she netted us so finely. I wonderwhy? What is more, brother Godwin, she likes you, which is aswell, since she may be useful. But, friend Peter, do not let itgo too far, since, like that porter, I think also that she may bedangerous. Remember, he called her a spy, and probably she isone."
Godwin turned to reprove him, when the voice of the widow Masoudawas heard without saying:
"Brothers Peter and John, I forgot to caution you to speak low inthis house, as there is lattice-work over the doors to let in theair. Do not be afraid. I only heard the voice of John, not whathe said."
"I hope not," muttered Wulf, and this time he spoke very lowindeed.
Then they undid their baggage, and having taken from it cleangarments, washed themselves after their long journey with thewater that had been placed ready for them in great jars. This,indeed, they needed, for on that crowded dromon there was littlechance of washing. By the time they had clothed themselvesafresh, putting on their shirts of mail beneath their tunics, theNubian came and led them to another room, large and lighted withhigh-set lattices, where cushions were piled upon the floor rounda rug that also was laid upon the floor. Motioning them to beseated on the cushions, he went away, to return again presently,accompanied by Masouda bearing dishes upon brass platters. Theseshe placed before them, bidding them eat. What that food was theydid not know, because of the sauces with which it had beencovered, until she told them that it was fish.
After the fish came flesh, and after the flesh fowls, and afterthe fowls cakes and sweetmeats and fruits, until, ravenous asthey were, who for days had fed upon salted pork and biscuitsfull of worms washed down with bad water, they were forced to begher to bring no more.
"Drink another cup of wine at least," she said, smiling andfilling their mugs with the sweet vintage of Lebanon--for itseemed to please her to see them eat so heartily of her fare.
They obeyed, mixing the wine with water. While they drank sheasked them suddenly what were their plans, and how long theywished to stay in Beirut. They answered that for the next fewdays they had none, as they needed to rest, to see the town andits neighbourhood, and to buy good horses--a matter in whichperhaps she could help them. Masouda nodded again, and askedwhither they wished to ride on horses.
"Out yonder," said Wulf, waving his hand towards the mountains."We desire to look upon the cedars of Lebanon and its great hillsbefore we go on towards Jerusalem."
"Cedars of Lebanon?" she replied. "That is scarcely safe for twomen alone, for in those mountains are many wild beasts and wilderpeople who rob and kill. Moreover, the lord of those mountainshas just now a quarrel with the Christians, and would take anywhom he found prisoners."
"How is that lord named?" asked Godwin.
"Sinan," she answered, and they noted that she looked roundquickly as she spoke the word.
"Oh," he said, "we thought the name was Jebal."
Now she stared at him with wide, wondering eyes, and replied:
"He is so called also; but, Sir Pilgrims, what know you of thedread lord Al-je-bal?"
"Only that he lives at a place called Masyaf, which we wish tovisit."
Again she stared.
"Are you mad?" she queried, then checked herself, and clapped herhands for the slave to remove the dishes. While this was beingdone they said they would like to walk abroad.
"Good," answered Masouda, "the man shall accompany you--nay, itis best that you do not go alone, as you might lose your way.Also, the place is not always safe for strangers, however humblethey may seem," she added with meaning. "Would you wish to visitthe governor at the castle, where there are a few Englishknights, also some priests who give advice to pilgrims?"
"We think not," answered Godwin; "we are not worthy of such highcompany. But, lady, why do you look at us so strangely?"
"I am wondering, Sir Peter and Sir John, why you think it worthwhile to tell lies to a poor widow? Say, in your own country didyou ever hear of certain twin brethren named--oh, how are theynamed?--Sir Godwin and Sir Wulf, of the house of D'Arcy, whichhas been told of in this land?"
Now Godwin's jaw dropped, but Wulf laughed out loud, and seeingthat they were alone in the room, for the slave had departed,asked in his turn:
"Surely those twins would be pleased to find themselves sofamous. But how did you chance to hear of them, O widowed hostessof a Syrian inn?"
"I? Oh, from a man on the dromon who called here while I madeready your food, and told me a strange story that he had learnedin England of a band sent by Salah-ed-din--may his name beaccursed!--to capture a certain lady. Of how the brethren namedGodwin and Wulf fought all that band also--ay, and held themoff--a very knightly deed he said it was--while the lady escaped;and of how afterwards they were taken in a snare, as those areapt to be who deal with the Sultan, and this time the lady wassnatched away."
"A wild tale truly," said Godwin. "But did this man tell youfurther whether that lady has chanced to come to Palestine?"
She shook her head.
"Of that he told me nothing, and I have heard nothing. Nowlisten, my guests. You think it strange that I should know somuch, but it is not strange, since here in Syria, knowledge isthe business of some of us. Did you then believe, O foolishchildren, that two knights like you, who have played a part in avery great story, whereof already whispers run throughout theEast, could travel by land and sea and not be known? Did you thenthink that none were left behind to watch your movements and tomake report of them to that mighty one who sent out the ship ofwar, charged with a certain mission? Well, what he knows I know.Have I not said it is my business to know? Now, why do I tell youthis? Well, perhaps because I like such knights as you are, and Ili
ke that tale of two men who stood side by side upon a pierwhile a woman swam the stream behind them, and afterwards, sorewounded, charged their way through a host of foes. In the East welove such deeds of chivalry. Perhaps also because I would warnyou not to throw away lives so gallant by attempting to winthrough the guarded gates of Damascus upon the maddest of allquests.
"What, you still stare at me and doubt? Good, I have been tellingyou lies. I was not awaiting you upon the quay, and that porterwith whom I seemed to quarrel was not charged to seize yourbaggage and bring it to my house. No spies watched your movementsfrom England to Beirut. Only since you have been at dinner Ivisited your room and read some writings which, foolishly, youand John have left among your baggage, and opened some books inwhich other names than Peter and John were written, and drew agreat sword from its scabbard on which was engraved a motto:'Meet D'Arcy, meet Death!' and heard Peter call John Wulf, andJohn call Peter Godwin, and so forth."
"It seems," said Wulf in English, "that we are flies in a web,and that the spider is called the widow Masouda, though of whatuse we are to her I know not. Now, brother, what is to be done?Make friends with the spider?"
"An ill ally," answered Godwin. Then looking her straight in theface he asked, "Hostess, who know so much, tell me why, amongstother names, did that donkey driver call you 'daughter ofAl-je-bal'?"
She started, and answered:
"So you understand Arabic? I thought it. Why do you ask? Whatdoes it matter to you?"
"Not much, except that, as we are going to visit Al-je-bal, ofcourse we think ourselves fortunate to have met his daughter."
"Going to visit Al-je-bal? Yes, you hinted as much upon the ship,did you not? Perhaps that is why I came to meet you. Well, yourthroats will be cut before ever you reach the first of hiscastles."
"I think not," said Godwin, and, putting his hand into hisbreast, he drew thence a ring, with which he began to playcarelessly.
"Whence that ring?" she said, with fear and wonder in her eyes."It is--" and she ceased.
"From one to whom it was given and who has charged us with amessage. Now, hostess, let us be plain with one another. You knowa great deal about us, but although it has suited us to callourselves the pilgrims Peter and John, in all this there isnothing of which we need be ashamed, especially as you say thatour secret is no secret, which I can well believe. Now, thissecret being out, I propose that we remove ourselves from yourroof, and go to stay with our own people at the castle, where, Idoubt not, we shall be welcome, telling them that we would bideno longer with one who is called a spy, whom we have discoveredalso to be a 'daughter of Al-je-bal.' After which, perhaps, youwill bide no longer in Beirut, where, as we gather, spies andthe 'daughters of Al-je-bal' are not welcome."
She listened with an impassive face, and answered: "Doubtless youhave heard that one of us who was so named was burned hererecently as a witch?"
"Yes," broke in Wulf, who now learned this fact for the firsttime, "we heard that."
"And think to bring a like fate upon me. Why, foolish men, I canlay you both dead before ever those words pass your lips."
"You think you can," said Godwin, "but for my part I am sure thatthis is not fated, and am sure also that you do not wish to harmus any more than we wish to harm you. To be plain, then, it isnecessary for us to visit Al-je-bal. As chance has brought ustogether--if it be chance--will you aid us in this, as I thinkyou can, or must we seek other help?"
"I do not know. I will tell you after four days. If you are notsatisfied with that, go, denounce me, do your worst, and I willdo mine, for which I should be sorry."
"Where is the security that you will not do it if we aresatisfied?" asked Wulf bluntly.
"You must take the word of a 'daughter of Al-je-bal.' I have noneother to offer," she replied.
"That may mean death," said Wulf.
"You said just now that was not fated, and although I have soughtyour company for my own reasons, I have no quarrel with you--asyet. Choose your own path. Still, I tell you that if you go, who,chancing to know Arabic, have learned my secret, you die, andthat if you stay you are safe--at least while you are in thishouse. I swear it on the token of Al-je-bal," and bending forwardshe touched the ring in Godwin's hand, "but remember that for thefuture I cannot answer."
Godwin and Wulf looked at each other. Then Godwin replied:
"I think that we will trust you, and stay," words at which shesmiled a little as though she were pleased, then said:
"Now, if you wish to walk abroad, guests Peter and John, I willsummon the slave to guide you, and in four days we will talkmore of this matter of your journey, which, until then, had bestbe forgotten."
So the man came, armed with a sword, and led them out, clad intheir pilgrims' robes, through the streets of this Eastern town,where everything was so strange, that for awhile they forgottheir troubles in studying the new life about them. They noted,moreover, that though they went into quarters where no Frankswere to be seen, and where fierce-looking servants of the Prophetstared at them sourly, the presence of this slave of Masoudaseemed to be sufficient to protect them from affront, since onseeing him even the turbaned Saracens nudged each other andturned aside. In due course they came to the inn again, havingmet no one whom they knew, except two pilgrims who had been theirfellow-passengers on the dromon. These men were astonished whenthey said that they had been through the Saracen quarter of thecity, where, although this town was in the hands of theChristians, it was scarcely thought safe for Franks to venturewithout a strong guard.
When the brethren were back in their chamber, seated at the farend of it, and speaking very low, lest they should be overheard,they consulted together long and earnestly as to what they shoulddo. This was clear--they and something of their mission wereknown, and doubtless notice of their coming would soon be givento the Sultan Saladin. From the king and great Christian lords inJerusalem they could expect little help, since to give it mightbe to bring about an open rupture with Saladin, such as theFranks dreaded, and for which they were ill prepared. Indeed, ifthey went to them, it seemed likely that they would be preventedfrom stirring in this dangerous search for a woman who was theniece of Saladin, and for aught they knew thrown into prison, orshipped back to Europe. True, they might try to find their way toDamascus alone, but if the Sultan was warned of their coming,would he not cause them to be killed upon the road, or cast intosome dungeon where they would languish out their lives? The morethey spoke of these matters the more they were perplexed, till atlength Godwin said:
"Brother, our uncle bade us earnestly to seek out thisAl-je-bal, and though it seems that to do so is very dangerous, Ithink that we had best obey him who may have been given foresightat the last. When all paths are full of thorns what matter whichyou tread?"
"A good saying," answered Wulf. "I am weary of doubts andtroublings. Let us follow our uncle's will, and visit this OldMan of the Mountains, to do which I think the widow Masouda isthe woman to help us. If we die on that journey, well, at leastwe shall have done our best."
The Brethren Page 10