133 THE HISTORY OE THE ORDER OF [book l.

hunger, but by far the greater part were miserablycut to pieces to manure that melancholy flat. Acrowd tried to seek refuge in the town of Ascalon,but blocked the gate up so, that two thousand ofthem were .suffocated, or were trampled down bythe horses. The visier hardly got off, and lost hisscimitar. So immense had been his army that, inthe words of the old chronicler, “ only God couldknow their numbers.” Yet to the Christians itwas an easy victory, nor needed their usualbravery, nor miracles. They found Egyptiansmuch less than Turks.

The Latins are said to have had seventeenthousand on that day, and Islam three hundredthousand men. But once that disorder and panicfollow an army, numbers only make things worse.Godfrey might now return in triumph to Jeru-salem, and the first crusade was indeed ended.But when all these heroes go back to Europe,as will happen in a few days now, who are touphold the new kingdom? Godfrey, is he notworthier of the title of king, than his territoriesof that of kingdom? Sad, dark questions fromwhich most shrank. Also there was some littlediscord, usual fruit of great success. Tancred’sgenerous intercession reconciled the parties.With tears_ and much weeping the crusaders