The Knights Templars.

mosques , and the thanks of the Infidel were offered up therein to Mahomet for the triumph of the Mussulman arms . Several of the maritime towns , from Acre to Jaffa , also fell into Saladin ' s hande ; but he attacked Tyre without success , and

determined to wait for a more favourable opportunity of renewing the siege . Nazareth , Sidon , Caiphas , Sephouri , Cassarea , Jaffa , Lidda , ancl Eamla , successively fell before his victorious arms , the inhabitants became slaves , and the garrisons

Avere butchered . He furthermore ravaged all the country about Mount Carmel and Caiphas , ancl destroyed the celebrated church of Elias , which , being built on a mountain above the Port of Acre , served as a lighthouse to navigators sailing past

that coast . He pursued his successes along the seacoast north of Acre , ancl reduced several of the fortresses of the Templars . The strong castle of Tebuin , on the road to Beyrout , suffered the same fate as had befallen the other fortresses of

the Order . For six days the Templars defended it against the most furious attacks of the Saracens , who were incited to renewed endeavours by the

example and language of Saladin . The moat was filled Avith the dead bodies of the Infidel , ancl the assailants mounted to the attack over heaps of their own slain . Human gallantry and strength could not preserve the castle . On the seventh

day , Saladin ordered a general attack to be made ; the walls Avere swept by the arrows of his bowmen , the Knights fell clown wounded on the battlements , the place was taken by assault , the garrison most foully ancl barbarously butchered , and the

fortifications destroyed . Jornada , Hobeil , and Bolerum successively fell into his hands . Martene , in his chronicle , has the following passage about Bolerum : — " To this castle belonged the lady

Avhom the Count of Tripoli refused to give up to Gerard de Eidefort , the Grand Master of the Temple , from which sprung up that great quarrel between them which ended in the loss of the Holy Land . " Saladin now proceeded to attack Ascalon ,

a town of great importance , and which he was anxious to possess himself of , as it would assure his communication with Egypt . The citizens , however , bravely defended it and for a long time baffled the assaults of the Saracens . At length a

breach was made in the wall , ancl Saladin sent messengers to propose terms of peace to the citizens , but to these they would not listen . The King of Jerusalem , whom Saladin carried about with him , then entreated the defenders not to

compromise the safety of their families and the Christians of the city by a useless defence . Moved by this , the citizens came to Saladin ancl said , "It is not for ourselves that we are come to implore mercy , but for our wives and children . Of what

importance is a perishable life to us ? We look for a more solid blessing , and that death alone can procure us . God alone , the master of all events , has allowed you to obtain victories over the unhappy Christians , but you shall not enter Ascalon

unless you take pity on our families . " They likewise insisted upon the liberation of the king and the Grand Master pf the Templars . Saladin , , touched by their heroism , consented to their terms , promised to liberate Guy and Gerard at the end of a year , ancl to respect the persons ancl the

property of the inhabitants . While engaged m the siege of Ascalon , Saladin sent messengers to the Templars at Gaza , representing to them that the Holy Land was now in his possession , that all further attempts at resistance were useless , and

offered them their lives and a safe retreat to Europe on condition of their giving up that important fortress , which had been specially committed to to their care . The Templars receiveci this message . with great contempt . The hatred which Saladin

bore the Order made them view his promises with suspicion , ancl doubt the sincerity of his offers of safety . Gaza was a strong town , well fortified ^ and the garrison was officered by some of the bravest Knights of the Temple . They sent a haughty answer back to the Sultan , scornfully bade him first take Ascalon before he demanded .

possession of Gaza , ancl ended by sending him a contemptuous defiance . This conduct , although gallant ancl chivalrous , was impolitic . The Sultanwas bitterly enraged at their answer , and swore to make them rue their defiance . On the 4 th of September , Ascalon was surrendered to Saladin . The news of the successes of Saladin had roused .

the people of Europe , and tidings were brought him of the arming of troops for despatch to the Holy Land for the defence of Jerusalem . He , „ therefore , became anxious to obtain possession of the various places which still withstood his arms

before the winter rains commenced . He sent Guy de Lusignan ancl Gerard de Eidefort to Naplous , ancl hastened to lay siege to Gaza . Gaza was one of the principal fortresses of the Order , and a most , important bulwark of the Latin kingdom . In a former attack upon the city , the Saracens had been repulsed with great slaughter , and they now