CHAP. V-l

ST. JOHN OF JEKUSALEM.

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knew it was the conquest of every town in it, notexcepting its metropolis, which must all drop, oneby one, quietly into his lap, like ripe fruit, theirfortifications having each been taken by storm onthat day, and, as it should always be, far from thehabitation of innocent women and children, andthe pacific population, who ought never to be ex-posed to a siege. After the battle, Saladin had atent pitched, and, retiring into it, called for theking and other principal prisoners, and made Guysit by his side, and observing him to be thirsty, hadiced water brought in. The king, after drinking,presented the cup to Renaud, which made Saladinexclaim, in reference, no doubt, to the Arab custom,which obliges you to defend the life of whomeveryou have once given meat or drink to, “ It is notby me that this scoundrel was invited to drink. Iam no wise bound towards him.” And recollecting 1

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that he had twice sworn to slay him (and, in fine,all that was adduced in a former page), he, sendinghim a look that made every one present feel terror,reproached him with his crimes, and rose, drawinghis scimitar—but let us hope it was only a signalto his emirs, and that he did not himself strike thedefenceless unfortunate, whose head was instantlystruck off; yet Emal-eddin, an ocular witness, says