ABEY. I.] ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM. 39

for losing a town. Let us confide in Him as muchas ever.” Saladin never fought a battle withouthaving implored the Lord first, nor won a victorywithout, prostrate or kneeling, pouring out ferventthanks to Him on the field. Why should the hero besuspected of fear or hypocrisy? The Mahometanswho relate it, did not mean to question either; butadmired his courage and profound faith. TheFrank also marched to battle “ with the ardour ofa courser on his way to the pasture ,” write the sameMahometans; often did his troops rally at his voice.“And we,” said the Christians—“were also dis-pleased at the capitulation; for above two wholeyears have we shown more bravery than wouldhave sufficed to conquer all Asia; and now weare defrauded of justice!” 1

On learning the conditions, and they sworn to andhostages already given, Saladin hesitated to standby a capitulation in which he had no part, but hisemirs to his interrogations answered unanimously,“Those Mahometans are our brothers and com-panions, we cannot do otherwise than ratify; no ex-cuse, the Koran allows none; we must absolutely givereally what they promised, whatever be our privateopinion.” So he sent immediately for money to

1 Michaud : Hist., ii. 393.—Vinisauf: 3,—Bib. Crois., ii. 691.