336 TI-IE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book i.

were composed of troops belonging to variousbarons of Palestine. The centre held the cross,surrounded by a picked corps, and Guy with hisbravest knights; the rear was confided to theTemplars and Hospitallers, These both werecalled a swinish race that he was resolved to ex-terminate, by Saladin. They rarely gave, and hadnever any reason to expect quarter. At aboutthree miles from Tiberias, the Christians began tosuffer from thirst and heat, and met the Saracen.There were high rocks between them and the lake.So Tripoli sent back to the king to bid him hastenhis march to gain the lake before night; and thecount pushed on, Guy’s answer being that he wouldfollow him close. But instead of this the king,hearing that the Turks were pressing on the rearseverely, felt irresolute, and gave the command tohalt and pitch the tents. So the army was separated,and had to pass a dreadful night; and indeed all waslost. Impossible to depict the sufferings and horrorsof that, to them, long night. Still the Franks did notquite lose their courage: “ To-morrow we’ll findwater with our swords.” There was much of % thepale blue of the country round Rome in that low-land, between the rocky lines that keep it from themost sacred of lakes— a mile off to its right, and