The Crusades.

That same night an eclipse of the moon took place . About midnight it assumed the colour of blood , true portent of that which ivas to be . They wondered in their hearts what this thing might mean . Those , however , in the camp to whom the march of the planets lay open , furnished them with

consolation . They said that this prodigy was no ill omen to the Christians , but that the eclipse of the moon and its bloody aspect portended the destruction of the Saracens , and that it was an eclipse of the sun that was an ill portent to the Christians . When the day was towards the gloaming , messages

came from the village of Bethlehem , from certain Christians whom the Saracens bad expelled from the Holy City with threats of death , praying them in the name of Christ , to make no delay , but to hasten to their relief . When they heard the messages and the prayers , ancl learned the peril of these Ohi'istian people , they sent a hundred armed men the very same evening to succour the desolate

faithful of Christ . They travelled all night with speed , and morning was just dawning on Bethlehem , ancl about the hour when the Saviour of the world was bom , when the banner of the crusaders Avas waving- from the walls of Bethlehem . When then arrival was known , the Christian inhabitants

came forth to meet them there with hymns and praises , and sprinklings from Bethlehem's hallowed fountains , and the Christian knights also joyfully received them , ancl kissed their hands ancl their eyes , ancl said : — ' We give thanks to God , because we see in our own clay those things which we have

always desired to see , that you , our Christian brothers , should be present at our striking off the yoke of slavery , and repairing of the holy places of Jerusalem , ancl the taking away of the heathen Avorshi p and uncleanness from the holy place . " Scarcely had the horsemen , however , been despatched , and lo ! a report came to the ears of the chiefs , and of the whole army , that an embassy from Bethlehem had arrived for their n-eneral .

And on this account it had hardly passed midnight when forthwith all , both small and great , took up their tents ancl proceeded on their way through the narrow passes of the roads and the precipitous clefts of the hills ; ancl all the cavalry Avere burning to go firstand to make haste ivith

, their journey , lest , through a great multitude flocking into these precipitous clefts , the progress of the horses might be impeded . And so all , both small and great , with a like purpose , hastened on towards Jerusalem . Ancl about the time that

the morning dew is just dry upon the grass , the horsemen that had been sent to Bethlehem met them on then' return , and joined with them on the journey . But one Gastus of the state of Berdeix , with thirty men cunning of plot ancl fight , had scarcely withdrawn from the armybeing gifted

, Avith foresight , and knowing that up to that time the strength of the aiDproaching pilgrims had escaped the knowledge of the soldiery and inhabitants of Jerusalem , gallops off ivith his friends to

the neighbourhood of the city , and collects and carries off as booty some flocks guarded by a few shepherds who , affrighted , fled into the town . And so this bold feat being discovered , the prey was recovered by the Saracens , who pursued the Christians to the foot of a mountain . The hero and his

companions gained the height , ancl there awaited the event . But UOAV Tancred ancl his knights from Bethlehem appeared defiling through the valley gorge . Joining these forces , they pursued the . Saracens to the very gates of Jerusalem , ancl recovered the booty . They then rejoined the army ,

and when their cattle ivere seen by the brethren and captains , they all inquired where they had obtained this abundance of flocks . They made reply that they had taken and carried them off from the country round Jerusalem . Jerusalem ' . when they heard that word they all through joy

burst into tears , that they should be so near to the holy spot , the long-wished-for city , for which they hacl undergone so many labours , so many perils , so many kinds of death . They flung themselves prostrate on the earth , adoring ancl praising God , of whose good gift it comes that His faithful

jjeople should do unto Him true and laudable service , who had graciously deigned to listen to the prayers of His people , that , according to their earnest desire , they should be meet to arrive at the wished-for spot . " ' 0 good Jesus' exclaims Robert the monk

, , c when they beheld Thy beloved towers , the walls of this earthly Jerusalem , what flowings forth of tears were there ! Kneeling on the ground , they adored Thee Who didst lay Thyself in the grave

in her , though sitting on the right hand of the Father , though Thou art to come the judge of all men . '" The return of the crusaders is worthy to be compared with the return of the Heracleidas . The holy ivars had produced results ivhich the ivork of

centuries might have failed to have accomplished . The feudal lords Avho had gone forth with them vassals from their ancestral towers , wearing the mark of the Cross , with their haivks and their hounds , their materials for fishing and hunting , when they came back to the halls of their fathers ,

found their fame increased but their real consequence diminished . Boundless admiration , indeed , was felt for the men whose shields , now for the first time seen emblazoned Avith quaint emblems and devices , were credentials of puissant deeds wrought in the land where streamed rivers

of milk and honey , the land which is the glory of all lands . To this the institution of tournaments , distinguished by their truly oriental style of magnificence , greatly contributed . But while these honours had been gained , the real substantials had been lost . The feudal yoke ivas for ever broken .

Corporate boroughs had arisen . The bounds of knoivledge were extended . Strange ivaters were whitened ivith innumerable sails . Individual energy found scope . Europe aivoke from long