CHAP. II.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

183

capitulated; and the Prophet’s standard was plantedon the bastions, and the inhabitants were treatedas usual ; while the garrison cut its way out intoTripoli , 1 where any surviving Hospitallers had soonto leave their bones.

Some fourteen months later, Ivelaoun attackedanother place of strength, called Marakia, whoseruins are still observable near Tortosa . 2 It belongedto a noted Frank warrior, and was a tower sepa-rated from the land, and so surrounded by the sea,that without a fleet, it was utterly impregnable.Here there is a confusion in some writers, as ifthere was a change of sultans ; 3 but Michaud pro-ceeds regularly according to the real facts . 4 It wasthe same Kelaoun who thereupon wrote this letterto the Count of Tripoli: “ It was you that built,or permitted this castle to be built; woe to you,and capital, and people, if it be not instantly de-molished.” The count was terrified; and whenthe letter was written, the Mamelukes were alreadywithin his territory. So he offered the owner ofthe castle considerable lands in exchange; but nooffers, however flattering, or prayers, would do.The old Frank slew his own son 5 when he showed

1 Michaud : Hist., v. 115. 2 Id.: Id., 116.

3 Vertot: iii. 539. 4 Michaud: Hist., v. 110

6 Arab. Chron., 552.