The Knights Templars.

the bodies of the slain , while their blood formed large pools in the ditch . Never was there so stubborn a defence . When a Templar fell , another stepped into his place , and the Knights kept the breach , immoveable as mountains . Saladin at

length put an end to the assault by sounding a retreat . It was finally -agreed between him and the Templars , that should the Prince of Antioch , not by a certain day come to the relief of the Knights , they should surrender the fortress , and

be permitted to march forth with the honours of war . No relief was sent , and in terms of the treaty , the fortress was abandoned to Saladin . Upon the surrender of Derbazac , Saladin marched his army upon Antioch . He did not

attack it , as it was full of warlike and valiant defenders , and strongly fortified . The population was estimated at 150 , 000 persons . Prince Bohemond was residinsr there at the head of a

wellappointed army . Gerard de Ridefort also had stationed himself in the city , with the Templars of the principality . After some days spent in reconnoitring , a truce was concluded between Saladin and the Christians . It was to take effect from

the first of November , and to last eight months . Saladin then returned to Damascus , his troops bccomino' clamourous for a dismissal to their homes for the winter . Saladin , however , persuaded them to remain some time lono-er with

him , as he had determined to renew the siege of Safet , and at all hazards to capture if . Night and day the Templars were harassed by the most furious attacks , and during a windy and tempetuous night , Saladin , in person , superintended the

erection of fivo besieging engines . His personal exertions were superhuman . To every soldier he allotted a certain duty , and , turning to his secretary , he would say , " Let us not go to rest till we see these operations completed . " Messengers

were constantly sent to inform him of the advance oi the works , and he spent most of the excitingtime in easy and cheerful conversation with his

secretary , Bohadin . Bohadin , on account of the tempestuousness of the night , implored his royal master to retire and take some repose , but Saladin replied , " The fire of hell shall not prevail against the eye that is wakeful and watchful iu

the service of God , aud the eye that weeps through fear of God . " The Templars defended themselves right valiantly , and slaughtered an immense number of the Mussulmen . On the news being carried to Tyre , of the renewal of the siege , two hundred

of the bravest Knights and soldiers marched forth the city to their relief . By concealing themselves during the day in caverns and solitary places , they eluded the vigilance of the enemy , and reached the neighbourhood of Safet in safety . They lurked

for sometime there in concealment , waiting a favourable opportunity for throwing themselves into the castle . One day , however , they were unfortunately discovered by a Mussulman Emir , who , surrounding them with a vast host of infidels , took

them all prisoners . They were marched into the presence of Saladin , who condemned them to death ; but the Templars , hearing of their situation , sent messengers to Saladin to negotiate for the surrender of Safet , upon the condition that the lives of

these prisoners should be spared . Saladin was delighted with the message , and countermanded the order for the execution of the Christians . The Templars had other reasons for negotiating for a

surrender . They had run short of provisions , and all hope of assistance from their brethren was abandoned . It is doubtful , however , if they would , even under these circumstances , have surrendered the place , except when the last of the garrison

had fallen , but for the lucky capture by Saladin . They agreed' to surrender the castle , upon being permitted to retire to Tyre with the honours of war , and accompanied by the captives whom the Sultan had taken . These terms were acceded to

by Saladin . Safet was delivered into his hands , and immediately destroyed . It will be observed from these sieges , that the Templars defended themselves till the last extremity , and only surrendered their fortresses when permitted the

honours of Avar . If these were refused , they continued the defence until they were all slain . Had the other Christians possessed the smallest share of the unbending courage of the Templars , Saladin would never have taken Jerusalem .

Guy de Lusignan , who had somewhat recovered from the crushing influences of his defeat and imprisonment by Saladin , now sought to erect a throne from the wreck of his kingdom , and to renew the war with Saladin . The Grand Master

of the lemplars gave him the support of the Order , while numbers of Christians from the West duly arrived to take part iu the war . The European Templars , irpon the receipt of the pressing letters sent them by John Terricus , hastened to send both men and money to the assistance of their brethren in the East . Many of the chiefs aud most valiant of the Order left their