第41章 The Widow Masouda(4)

"Forgive me, but here in Beirut these Saracen porters are extortionate, especially towards us Christians.He was deceived by your appearance.He thought that you were knights, not simple pilgrims as you avow yourselves, who happen to be dressed and armed like knights beneath your gambesons; and," she added, fixing her eyes upon the line of white hair on Godwin's head where the sword had struck him in the fray on Death Creek quay, "show the wounds of knights, though it is true that a man might come by such in any brawl in a tavern.Well, you are to pay me a good price, and you shall have my best room while it pleases you to honour me with your company.Ah! your baggage.You do not wish to leave it.Slave.come here."With startling suddenness the Nubian who had led away the mule appeared, and took up some of the packages.Then she led them down a passage into a large, sparsely-furnished room with high windows, in which were two beds laid on the cement floor, and asked them if it pleased them.

They said: "Yes; it will serve." Reading what passed in their minds, she added: "Have no fear for your baggage.Were you as rich as you say you are poor, and as noble as you say you are humble, 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 of Peter and John and other holy founders of our faith--""And have been so fortunate as to be captured on its shore by the widow 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 a smile upon her handsome face.

"Peter," answered Godwin."Remember the pilgrim with the line of white 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.John has blue eyes.John also is the greater warrior, if a pilgrim can be a warrior-- look at his muscles; but Peter thinks the more.It would be hard for a woman to choose between Peter and John, who must both of them be hungry, so I go to prepare their food.""A strange hostess," said Wulf, laughing, when she had left the room; "but I like her, though she netted us so finely.I wonder why? What is more, brother Godwin, she likes you, which is as well, since she may be useful.But, friend Peter, do not let it go too far, since, like that porter, I think also that she may be dangerous.Remember, he called her a spy, and probably she is one."Godwin turned to reprove him, when the voice of the widow Masouda was heard without saying:

"Brothers Peter and John, I forgot to caution you to speak low in this house, as there is lattice-work over the doors to let in the air.Do not be afraid.I only heard the voice of John, not what he said.""I hope not," muttered Wulf, and this time he spoke very low indeed.

Then they undid their baggage, and having taken from it clean garments, washed themselves after their long journey with the water that had been placed ready for them in great jars.This, indeed, they needed, for on that crowded dromon there was little chance of washing.By the time they had clothed themselves afresh, putting on their shirts of mail beneath their tunics, the Nubian came and led them to another room, large and lighted with high-set lattices, where cushions were piled upon the floor round a rug that also was laid upon the floor.Motioning them to be seated on the cushions, he went away, to return again presently, accompanied by Masouda bearing dishes upon brass platters.These she placed before them, bidding them eat.What that food was they did not know, because of the sauces with which it had been covered, until she told them that it was fish.

After the fish came flesh, and after the flesh fowls, and after the fowls cakes and sweetmeats and fruits, until, ravenous as they were, who for days had fed upon salted pork and biscuits full of worms washed down with bad water, they were forced to beg her to bring no more.

"Drink another cup of wine at least," she said, smiling and filling their mugs with the sweet vintage of Lebanon--for it seemed to please her to see them eat so heartily of her fare.

They obeyed, mixing the wine with water.While they drank she asked them suddenly what were their plans, and how long they wished to stay in Beirut.They answered that for the next few days they had none, as they needed to rest, to see the town and its neighbourhood, and to buy good horses--a matter in which perhaps she could help them.Masouda nodded again, and asked whither 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 hills before we go on towards Jerusalem.""Cedars of Lebanon?" she replied."That is scarcely safe for two men alone, for in those mountains are many wild beasts and wilder people who rob and kill.Moreover, the lord of those mountains has just now a quarrel with the Christians, and would take any whom he found prisoners.""How is that lord named?" asked Godwin.

"Sinan," she answered, and they noted that she looked round quickly 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 the dread lord Al-je-bal?""Only that he lives at a place called Masyaf, which we wish to visit."Again she stared.

"Are you mad?" she queried, then checked herself, and clapped her hands for the slave to remove the dishes.While this was being done they said they would like to walk abroad.

"Good," answered Masouda, "the man shall accompany you--nay, it is best that you do not go alone, as you might lose your way.