CHAP. II.]

ST. JOHN OF JEKUSALEM.

185

Europe. Why should the Templars have inter-ceded for a culprit? Their refusal testifies theirignorance of the plot, and that they had no parti-cipation in it whatever.

But such are trifles ! What cares Kelaoun,whetherBohemond be guiltless or culpable, alive or dead,or as to his sister or mother ? Seventeen hugemachines battered the walls for thirty-five days,while fifteen hundred miners wrought underground,and showers of Greek fire flew in all directions.On the thirty-sixth day the Mahometans penetratedinto the city, steel and flames brandishing androlling with them. Butchered were first of allwhat remained of the Hospitallers, who, betweensiege and shambles, were lost, every one to a man;not only forty tried knights profest, but one hundredother individuals of the order, and arms and horsesto a great amount . 1 And, after them, seven thousandother male Christians underwent butchery; theirwives and children being carried off into slavery. Acrowd of unfortunates sought an asylum in an islet:but he who visited it a few days after, found nothingbut corpses. Some escaped on board ships thatwere afterwards driven on the coast, and all weremurdered by the Saracens. Not only almost theentire population of Tripoli perished, but the

1 Cod. Dipl. Geros., i. Num. ccxxv., 268.—Appendix, lxxvi.