The Knights Templars.

seven , may also be understood the number of punishments that impended over tbe Christians , which was some time after fulfilled by the event , that too faithful ancl terrible interpreter of omens . " On the advance of the Christians , Saladin

converted the siege of the citadel of Tiberias into a blockade , and prepared to receive his foe . He called in his skirmishers , and encamped his army on the heights of Loubi , with the Lake of Tiberias in his rear . His position was most formidable ,

covering the tops of the hills and commanding all the valleys through which the Christians had to pass . He placed his cavalry in the valleys , and , bv skilfully extending his left wing to the lake .

cut off the Christians from its waters , When the Christians came in sight of the Musselmen army , they perceived the prudence of the advice ot the Count of Tripoli , ancl found that determined courage ancl superhuman exertions could alone

repair the error into which they had fallen . While some advocated a retreat to Sephouri , Gerard de Eidefort formed the desperate resolution of cutting a way through the passes , garrisoned as they were by the Infidel , to the banks of the Jordan . His

proposal met with the cordial approbation of Eenaud de Chatillon , who delighted in such dangerous adventures , and felt thoroughly in his element when death ancl blows were the orders of

the day . The other leaders likewise supported the resolution- The Count of Tripoli made no objection , but communicated the scheme to the Sultan . On the morning of the 4-th of July , at break of

day , the Christians commenced their march . They advanced to one of the passes , but they had scarcely entered when the Musselmen poured down upon them clouds of arrows ancl javelins . Although the Christian skirmishers failed in driving the

enemy from the heights , the Grand Master , charging with , the gallant soldiery of the Temple along a defile , drove the enemy before them ancl opened up a passage , when the army passed into the plain , where Saladin , at the head of his cavalry ,

advanced upon them . The Christians had to stop ancl fight the Infidel . The first shock of the Musselmen carried death into the ranks of the

Christians , who were faint ancl weary Avith travel , and had been short of provisions for several days , and many fell from pure weakness , rather than from wounds . But Gerard de Eidefort , who , after clearing the defile of the enemy , had retired to the reai-, came up with , his Knights to the

support of the van . The Templars , on this occasion , - amply avenged the deaths of their brethren , and ' drove the troops of Musselmen like chaff on the - Avind before their levelled lances . The bishopsand priests , many clad in complete armour , went

through the ranks of the army inciting them to ' fight bravely iu defence of the Cross . The Cross ' itself was placed upon an elevated spot , and around it were ranged the most intrepid and valiant of the Christians . They seemed to gather

couragefrom its presence , ancl a circle of slain Musselmevrarouud it proved how furious had been the endeavours of the enemy to capture it , and how gallantlythe Christians had fought in its defence . Night , however , put an end to the conflict .

Instead of falling back and pitching their tentsnear some watering-place , or at all hazards cuttingtheir way to the lake , the Christians encamped for ¦ the night on a dry and rocky ground . The Kingordered this by the advice of the Count of Tripoli ,

whose conduct throughout the fight had been very suspicious . This advice Avas productive of the-Avorst results . Encamped on an arid ground , in a sultry night , Avithout water ancl far from springs ,, the condition of the Christians was horrible in the '

extreme . Parched with thirst , both men and ' horses lay down without being able to sleep , ancl rose up unrefreshecl . When the Saracens observed ' them pitch-their tents , they came and encamped close beside them , so that the soldiers of either

camp could converse with the other ; ancl not even a cat could have left the Christian camp without ' being discovered by the Saracens . During the night , Baldwin de Fortune , Raymond ' Buck , ancl Laodicious de Tiberias , with three

companions—being all Knights of theKing—instructed ' by the diabolic Count of Tripoli , deserted from the Christian standard , went over to Saladin , and be- - came Mahometans . They informed him of every particular of the state , intentions , and resources of the Christians ; and Saladin thereupon determined to crush them on the morrow .

Tho Christians took advantage of the mghfc to close up their ranks , but their power AY as exhausted . Many took the Sacrament , expecting death on the morrow . and , Avhile some conjured each other to fight bravely in the coming "fight . ,

many of them gave way to despair , raising their hands to Heaven , ancl crying upon God to work a miracle in their favour . During the whole night the camp resounded Avith the beating of dramsand the blare of trumpets , in order to conceal thek <