The Knights Templars.

became perilous in the extreme . Encamping close to Tiberias , which he made the centre of his military operations , Saladin scoured the surrounding country wifch his light horse , and swept the valley of the Jordan to within a day ' s march of

Jerusalem . He now succeeded in revenging himself upon the Templars , laying- siege to their castles , ancl killing every Knight that fell into his bauds . An army was raised to check his ravages , and the Christians advanced towards the

Dead Sea , encamping at Petra . But Saladin turned aside , and , entering the territory of Jerusalem , laid siege to Mont Royal , a castle of the Templars , about three days' march from Petz-a . In spite of the remonstrance of the Templars , who urged Guy de Lusignan to advance upon the I

Infidel , the Christians remained encamped at Petra ; while Saladin refreshed his weary army , and spoiled fche country around Monfc Royal . He then , wifchoufc opposition , returned to Damascus , burning Naplous , and the entire country round

Taberias , on his march . Urgent messages were sent to Europe for aid , but without producing airy effect , and certain Templars , armed with letters from Pope . Alexander , had an interview with the Kings of England and France afc Ye Saint Remy ,

in 1181 , but though liberal in promises , the sovereigns did not interest themselves in the matter . The Pope likewise wrote letters to the different prelates , pointing out to them the urgent necessity for despatching aid to the Holy Land , and promising remission of sins to all those who should embrace the cause of the Cross .

Encouraged by this successful raid , he again adadvanced upon Palestine , but was encountered b y the Templars at Frobolet , who raised some troops for the purpose . A battle ensued , in which the Templars , though vastly inferior to the Infidels in

numbers , vanquished them with great slaughter . Most pari ; of Saladin ' s army pei-i ' shed , and he fled , with the inmost precipitancy , to Damascus . In 1184 , a truce was agreed upon between the Mussulmen and the Christians , Saladin readilagreeing

y to ifc , as his attention was called to the Turcomeii iu Syria , who were then in a state of rebellion For this trace , however , which was to last four years , the Christians hacl to pay sixty thousand bezants .

Immediatel y upon the return of the Barons and the Templars to Jerusalem , after this truce had been entered into , they accused Guy de Lusignan

of having neglected every opportunity for preventing- the advance of the Mussulmen , and even of having wilfully permitted the ravages of the Infidel in the richest provinces of Palestine . They insisted upon Baldwin resuming fche government of

the kingdom , ancl the deposition of Guy from the regency . Baldwin , who had abdicated with great reluctance , hastened to accede to fche demands of the Barons , aud once more ascended the throne . He undertook to dissolve the marriage of D ©

Lusignan with Sybilla , and cited Guy to appear before fche Patriarch of Jerusalem and the nobles of the kingdom , designing , at this council , to deprive him of the counties of Ascalon and Joppa . Guy , however , did not choose to place himself in

the power ofthe King- and the Barons , but remained afc Antioch . As he did not appear on the day named in the summons , the blind and infirm Baldwin repaired to Antioch , and finding the gatesclosed , struck them several times with his

handac-, cording to the ceremonial of a liege lord demanding entrance to the fortress of his vassal . ] STo attention , however , was paid to him , and the King returned to Jerusalem , calling upon Heaven to witness the insult offered him , and swearing to .

I revenge himself upon Guy . Guy , on his side , persevered in his rebellion , and took up arms to defend his cause . The King , as the most effectual vengeance that could be inflicted upon his rebellious vassal , determined to oppose to him a new King

and a new Regent . He gave orders for the coronation of his nephew , Baldwin , a child of five years of age , the son of his sister , Sybilla , by her first husband , the Marquis de Montferrafc , and appointed Raymond , Count of Tripoli , Regent during the

minority of the young King . All the castles and fortresses of the kingdom were placed in the custody of fche Templars and Hospitallers . These measures met with the entire approval of the Barons . The young Baldwin was carriedwith

, great pomp , to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre ,, and there solemnity anointed and crowned by the Patriarch , in the presence of the Grand Masters of fche Templars and Hospitallers . Thereafter , according to ancient custom , he was taken ,

wearing his crown aud royal robes , to the Temple of the Lord , where he made his offerings . He was then entertained , along wifch his barons , afc dinner by the Grand Master and brethren of tha-Temple . ( To he continued . )