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THE HISTORY OS' THE ORDER OF [book i.

Caliphs, but in reality to destroy them. They werebut lifeless idols, or like the Hois faineans of France.Their viziers were their Mairs du palais.This state of things led to the double invitation ofboth Noureddin and Christians. And finally totheir honourable dismissal; after Almeric’s havingreceived a thousand pieces of gold a-day, besidesfeeding his pack-animals, as had been stipulatedbefore, and other advantages to “th e Hospitallers,who formed the nerve of Christian armies.” 1 Andindeed Noureddin’s army likewise returned toSyria, except that, as the youngest of his emirs,Saladin, with his permission, remained in theEgyptian service. 2

1168 ^ was but a triumphal march to Almeric

when he returned again to Egypt; and aftersmall opposition, he took Heliopolis. Before reach-ing it, he had a visit from a former acquaintance,to whom, as he entered the royal tent, Almericsaid: “ Hail to the Emir Schems-helkelafe! ”

“Hail to the perfidious king! ” answered the Emir.“Yes! For if your intentions are upright, whyare you here? ” “ I was told that the vizier’s son

had married Saladin’s sister.’’ “ That is false; buteven if it were true, that is no infraction of the

1 Arab. Chron., 116.

2 Id., 122, 125, 126, 135, 137, 139.