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Everywhere grew roses, myrtles, and trees laden with rich fruits, while from all sides came the sound of cooing doves and the voices of many bright-winged birds which flashed from palm to palm. On they walked, down the sand-strewn paths for a mile or more, accompanied by Masouda and the guard.
Now, give me a burning branch and I will show you, brother, that you are not the only one who can fight a lion." "Let be, you foolish man," broke in Masouda. "Doubtless those are her cubs, and if you kill them, her mate will follow us for miles; but if they are left safe he will stay to feed them. Come, let us begone from this place as swiftly as we can."
At length, passing through a brake of whispering, reed-like plants, of a sudden they came to a low wall, and saw, yawning black and wide at their very feet, that vast cleft which they had crossed before they entered the castle. "It encircles the inner city, the fortress, and its grounds," said Masouda; "and who lives to-day that could throw a bridge across it? Now come back."
Even the dais seemed to wake from their contemplation, and Masouda bit her red lip, turned pale beneath her olive skin, and watched with devouring eyes, waiting to read this woman's heart. "Rosamund!" cried the brethren with one voice. She heard.
Thither they went, accompanied by Masouda, to find a grave Arab, wrapped in a garment of camel's hair and carrying a spear in his hand, standing at the door of the cave which served the purpose of a stable, as is common in the East where the heat is so great. As they advanced towards him, Masouda said: "If you like the horses, leave me to bargain, and seem to understand nothing of my talk."
But when they tried to do this, Smoke and Flame spread out their nostrils, and setting their feet firm before them, refused to enter the place, about which there was an evil smell. "Perhaps jackals have been here," said Masouda. "Let us tether them all in the open." This then they did, building a fire in front of them with dry wood that lay about in plenty, for here grew sombre cedar trees.
Though not very swift, doubtless they are good beasts, and accustomed to such roads." Then she leapt to the saddle as a woman born in the desert can, and pushed her horse in front. For a mile or more Masouda led them along the rocky bottom of the gulf, where because of the stones they could only travel at a foot pace, till they came to a deep cleft on the left hand, up which they began to ride.
This they thought it wise not to refuse, although they felt little confidence in the man, believing that it was he who had found out their story and true names and revealed them to Masouda, either through talkativeness or with a purpose.
"Let us wait to think of it till dawn," answered Godwin. Again they walked the length of the cave and back. "How can they come, the door being barred?" asked Wulf. "How did Masouda come and go?" answered Godwin. "Oh, question me no more; it is in the hand of God." "Look," said Wulf, in a whisper. "Who stand yonder at the end of the cave there by the dead men?"
But aloud he said, "I am indeed honoured; yet, friend Masouda, if harm should come of this, do not blame me." "No harm will come to you, friend Peter; and I have been so long cooped in an inn that I, who am desert-born, wish for a gallop on the mountains with a good horse beneath me and a brave knight in front.
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