CHAP. II.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

135

Yet very extremely small was the army of the cross,if compared to the multitude against whom it was ad-vancing. To the myriads of the Nile were addedthe ablest and bravest of the Mahometan warriorsfrom every country. Yet their vast superiorityof numbers did not prevent their resorting to everystratagem they could devise, and one very extraor-dinary; a quantity of buffaloes, asses, mules,mares, sent wild through the fields, to create con-fusion among the crusaders’ horses; and men too,from the temptation to plunder. But Godfrey,under the penalty of nose and ears, forbade anysoldier’s leaving the ranks. Nor meant more thana prohibition; with such warriors the penalty couldnot but be merely for form’s sake; to which thepatriarch added a malediction. So the crusadersno more harmed the herds and animals wanderingaround them, than if their shepherds.

That night, remaining under arms, and learningthe foe was in the plain of Ascalon, now only afew miles off, on sunrise, the 14th of August, theheralds blew the warning of battle. The nearerthey drew, the more ardent for combat, repletewith hope, and a courageous glow. We look uponour opponents as so many timid deer, or innocentlambkins. They advanced to danger as to a joyousfeast. The Emir of Rainla (a spectator in the