Part 60 (1/2)

But Musa did not laugh in reply.

”Brother mine,” said he, ”I think you and Cid G.o.dfrey are each mighty as Jalut, whom you call 'Goliath.' But Iftikhar says well; you are no jinns. In the last charge the Ismaelians nearly pa.s.sed you, and all would have been over.”

Richard made an angry gesture.

”Good, then! What is left to fear? I think Trenchefer can still sting before his master's fingers loosen.” But his voice grew very grave in turn,--”Were it not for my wife! But we have chosen!”

”We have chosen, my brother. Trusting in Allah we went to Aleppo; trusting in Him let us wait. But we have not struck in vain. Iftikhar shall never set eyes on the sorrow of the Star of the Greeks.” A cry from G.o.dfrey brought Musa to his side.

”Now by St. Nicholas of Ghent!” swore the Duke, in Languedoil. ”What new devil's devisings? Look, Sir Musa! What do you see in the dark?”

He pointed from the cas.e.m.e.nt by the stairs, into the night.

Musa strained his eyes. ”I see many men; they are bearing bales, I think; perhaps of straw and gra.s.s. They are approaching the door at the stairway.” Without a word G.o.dfrey caught a second of the ebony tables,--nothing light,--raised it to the sill--cast it down. A great howl of pain, and many curses; then the rush of a score of feet. The defenders awaited a new attack by the stairs, where Musa's cimeter had already sped three; but the Ismaelians did not ascend. They fled back into the gloom, and an instant later half a dozen arrows twittered in at the window and dashed harmlessly against the wall.

”Cover the lamps!” commanded G.o.dfrey; ”they give light to aim.”

Morgiana hid them behind a curtain. But despite the darkness there came more arrows, and yet more; in vain hopes to harm by a chance shaft.

”They waste bowstrings,” muttered the Duke. ”Lie close a little longer!” As he spoke a short moan came from Mary's divan. Richard quitted guard, and was beside her instantly. ”Lights!” ordered he. And Morgiana brought a lamp, despite the danger. There was an arrow pinning the Greek's left arm just below the elbow to the cus.h.i.+on, and the blood was flowing. Before her husband could cry out, she plucked fourth the shaft with her own hand. There was no tremor, and her lips were firm, though very white.

”It is nothing!” said she, looking upward. ”Do you forget my wound the day before Dorylaeum?” But Richard was nigh to weeping when he saw the blood.

”Dear G.o.d!” cried he, ”wilt Thou suffer even this?”

Mary smiled. ”Now, by St. Basil, you almost weep, while your own face is all wounds.”

”And are not seven drops of your blood seven lakes to me?” declared Richard. The arrows flew past him, but he stood with his mailed body between Mary and the window, until Musa had made a bandage of the tapestry and Morgiana could hide the light. Brave were his wife's words, and brave her face, but Longsword heard her murmur, ”Sweet Mother of Jesus--let the next arrow touch my breast, and end there all the pain.”

”Ah! little wife,” said he, when he kissed her, ”I do not think G.o.d will vex you much longer. Surely He will save us soon for earth, or for heaven!”

A voice was ringing down the darkened gallery,--Iftikhar's voice. ”You Franks and Cid Musa: again, I demand, will you yield the Greek and go free?”

”We will not!” thundered G.o.dfrey, unhesitatingly.

”_Bismillah!_” came reply. ”You have chosen. Behold!”

A kettledrum boomed once, twice; and as a fresh flight of arrows dashed into the room, suddenly lights darted across the palace lawn below. A cry broke from G.o.dfrey:--

”Fire! They have brought straw to the entrance and will so destroy us.

Iftikhar is mad thus to ruin his palace!”

Morgiana looked at him quietly.

”He is no more mad than for many a day. You know little his pa.s.sion for Mary. This wing of the palace is partly severed from the rest; but Iftikhar will burn all El Halebah to destroy us!”

Already below sprang a crackle, a roar, as the night wind caught the flame. In a moment up drifted a puff of smoke, a red glare ever brightening.

”The palace is marble,” declared G.o.dfrey, leaning over the parapet, despite the shafts.

”Enough also of wood and stucco to glow like Gehenna!” replied Musa, grimly. ”Such is the manner of our palaces.”