218 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book II.

Whereupon out came four hundred camels withtwo drummers upon each, and being led down intothe plain, raised a monstrous peal. “ I wouldorder them to continue all night,” cried the sultan,“ but that it might prevent our sleeping, and daresay the uncircumcised have already enough; and,on reflection, will surrender at discretion, to suefor which we shall find a deputation of their curswaiting at our tent door by daybreak! Dependupon it! ” 1

Yet not thus; but dawn beheld the Christianfiles as before. So to the miners: “ By the sultan’sorders, fire the mine! ” And towards sunrise therewas a hideous crash, and behold a large breach,practicable, if not for others, for Delhis. But whenthese rushed forward, they were suddenly stoppedby a wide deep ditch, till then invisible for a curvein the ground. And they had to be recalled fromits edge, where they left a ridge of about five thou-sand corpses, and many others scattered all overthe plain. Then in anger the sultan ordered ageneral charge of the cavalry, and truly it was agallant sight. But the same ditch arresting themat every point, they had to retire, after sufferingseverely from the shots of numerous zemboureks,

1 Michaud says three hundred camels; hut what difference ?Hist., v. 130.