The Knights Templars.

¦ direction of Nam and Endor to Jezreel , they crossed the mountains of Gilboa to Beisan , and -descended the valley of the Jordan as far as Jericho . Upon the mountain which was called Maledoim , or the Eed Mountain , from the blood

¦ which had been shed on the spot , and which was the scene of Christ's temptation by the devil , the Templars had built a fortress for the protection of those pilgrims who came to bathe in the Jordan , and visit the holy places at Jericho . This fortress

commanded an extensive view of the course of the Jordan until it falls into the Dead Sea , and was a protection to the eastern frontier of the Latin kingdom , and of the important passes comnmnicatiug with Jerusalem . The fortress was of

immense strength , and capable of presenting a most formidable resistance to an enemy . Saladin , in his hatred of the Templars , and thirsting for

their utter destruction , had offered fifty Syrian dinars for the head of every Knight . This inflamed the courage of the Infidel , who surrounded the doomed castle , yelping like so many curs round the noble stag at bay . The assault

was begun , and the Templars defended themselves ¦ with superhuman valour . ¦ Each one fell upon a heap of Saracens whom he had slain , a fit bed for the soldiers of the cross to take their last sleep upon . So obstinate was the defence that the

enemy were driven back several times , and the Knights , forming ramparts of the dead bodies of fche Infidels , sold their lives most dearly . But encouraged by their generals and trusting to their immense numbers and the fewness of the

Templars , the Saracens returned to the attack , and at last the garrison was all put to the sword , the heads of the Knights cut off , and the castle -reduced to ashes . The Saracens then advanced

towards Jerusalem , destroying on their march all the country between Jericho aud the Holy City , finally pitching their tents at Bethany , upon the spot where the houses of Simon the Leper and of Mary Magdaline and Martha stood . In their

fanatic zeal , and loathing every thing dedicated to the service of the Christian religion , they destroyed the beautiful church which had been erected over

the house aud tomb of Lazarus . While stationed here waiting for a signal from Saladin to advance upon Jerusalem , the Arab horse daily dashed over the Mount of Olives , took possession of the church constructed upon the summit of that sacred place , and extended their ravages even to the gates of the Holy City .

Meanwhile , the tidings of Saladin ' s success being carried into Egypt , his brave brother , Saifedding , crossed the desert to take part in the glorious war , and participate in the plunder of the Holy Land . His march was an unbroken triumph ,

and he left the territory between Daron and Gerar , as for as Jerusalem , a desert . In front of his army he marched his captives , tied wrist to wrist , that their appearance might awe those Christians who might presume to defy his arms , if the smokino- and bloodstained ruins of the fortresses

m his rear had not already made them abandon hope , and surrender without a blow . Mirabel , a very strong town still in the hands of the Christians , at the sight of his warlike engines approaching to the assault , sent a deputation of the chief

inhabitants to implore his clemency . Saif-eddin agreed to spare their lives upon the immediate surrender of the place , and the citizens agreeing at once to depart for Jerusalem . The Christians consented to these terms , and an escort of four

hundred Musselmen cavalry was given them as a guard to tho Holy City . They arrived within two miles of the city , and there their escort left them . The Templars , however , had detached bodies of troops scouring the country , and reconnoitring the advance of the different divisions of tho

Saracens . One of these had dogged the footsteps of the Infidel from Mirabel , and no sooner had the escort left the Christians and got some distance on their return , than the gallant Knights dashed out upon them from a valley and put the greater number to the sword . Thev likewise hunr > : like

burs upon the skirts of Saladin s army , cutting off stragglers , and causing him great annoyance and loss , so much so that he offered fresh rewards to those who brought him the heads of the Knights . Saladin having thus despatched his

forces on their various expeditions , proceeded himself at the head of a large body of troops against Acre . This city was of great size , importance , aud wealth . On account of its proximity to the sea it was the residence of many wealthy

merchants , and it was on that account most powerfully fortified . Although , during the third Crusade , the city sustained the attacks of the finest and best equipped armies of Christendom , during three years , so great was the terror inspired by

the name of Saladin , that it capitulated to him after two days' siege . The inhabitants were permitted to retire from it ,- with their most valuable property ; the' churches were converted into