The Knights Templars.

came mingled with our troops , we mounted our mules , Avithout any warlike equipments , and seeing that all the army had turned their backs , we fled away . We reached Tiberias , with others who had taken the same road . Every one of us had

forgotten to drink or eat . Other fugitives went as far as Damascus , without stopping on their Avay , constantly pursued by . fear . " Saladin remained almost alone on the field , and was several times

placed in imminent danger . The newly-arrived Christians , seeing the flight of the Mussulmen , ancl imagining their defeat complete , committed the most fatal errors . While some pursued the fleeing enemy , others gave

themselves up to securing the plunder . Gerard de Eideford , aAvare of the insecurity of the victory , and better acquainted with the tactics of Saladin , in vain despatched messengers to recall the pursuer , and personally remonstrated with the plunderers to resume their ranks . Finding- his

¦ endeavours fruitless , ancl knowing the danger of leaving the field open to the attack of a returning enemy , he drew up the troops under his command in battle order . His manner , though sad at the blindness of the Christians , Was calm and

encouraging . While the Templars were waiting for the bursting ofthe thunder-cloud , he spoke in the most affectionate terms to them , bidding them follow in the track of their glorious predecessors , and , should God require it of them , to add the

names of fresh martyrs to that long roll which their Order already j > ossessed . . His fears Avere speedily confirmed . Saladin quickly pereei \ ed the advantage afforded him by the Christians . Hastily gathering together a party of horsemen ,

he returned to the field of battle . The Templars , writes Vinisauf , inferior to none in renoAvn , devoted to slaughter , presented for an hoar a firm and immoveable front to the attacks of Saladin , and by their courage saved the army . Before the

Christians could rally , the gallant Gerard fell at the head of his Knights , ancl ivith him his able representative , John Terricus . " Happy he , " continues Vinisauf , writing- of the Grand Master , " on Avhom the Lord conferred so great glory , that he should at last receive the laurel he had earned in

many wars , and be admitted into the fellowship of the martyrs . " Michaud states that Gerard de Ridefort was taken prisoner by Saladin , ancl being reviled for his breach of faith , in not leaving the Holy Land according to the terms of his ransom , replied to them haughtily , whereupon they slew

him . Michaud does not state his authority for this , nor can we find anything in the chronicles to corrobrate it . We are apt , therefore , on the authority of Vinisauf and others , to believe that Gerard fell in the front of the wave of battle , calm

and courageous to the last . Speaking of the reverse of the Christians , Vinisauf says : — " Oh , miserable change of affairs . ' The Christians had gone forth Avith confidencethey return in confusion : they had marched in

order—they return in disorder : A ictorions , they had routed the foe , yet they ran back vanquished . Man ' s presumption at length acknowledged what man and man's strength can effect , if they rely not on the Lord's right hand ; for He powerfully

Avorks victory amongst his OAVU people , who give confidence to the Avarrior , and a crown to the victor . Our men had presumed on their OAvn strength ; they believed no enemy could be found who Avould put them in fear , ancl yet they found

that enemy too near them , for they lost fifteen hundred men . " Saladin ordered . the bodies of the slain to be cast into the river Belus , so that the sight of them might carry terror into the camp of the enemy , and by putrifyiug , cause a pestilence .

Gerard de Ridefort , although someivhat impetuous in his actions , was a good ancl noble man , and his chroniclers ever mention his name with respect . Although his advice led to the disastrous defeat at Tiberias , his suspicion of the fidelity

of the Count of Tripoli vindicated this step ; for , had the Count been loyal , ancl not anxious to ingratiate himself with Saladin , a different result mia'ht have been achieved on the ill-fated field .-As it was , the Grand Master failed not in his

duty as a gallant Knight ancl skilful general . Had the general body of Christians supported him in his attempt to reach the lake of Tiberias , the greater portion of the army might have been saved to protect the Holy City . As a general ,

few equalled Gerard de Ridefort , while his councils , dictated by the exigencies of the times , save in the affair of Tiberias , Avhen followed , never failed of success . He had the interests of the Christians at heart , aud , Avithout any ivish for the

advancement of his Order over right ancl justice , supported what he considered to be the honourable ancl the true . By his unwearied exertions and determined valour , the . Order of the Temple Avas kept alive in the East ; and when he fell , there fell one of the strongest props of the Christian