The Knights Templars.

principal leaders were named for that purpose . Repairing to the tent of the Sultan , De Beaujeu stated the object of his mission , demanded peace , and failing this swore that Acre would only be surrendered when every Christian had fallen . The

Sultan , who knew the stern character oi the Templars , and the heroism which actuated them on all occasions , agreed to peace upon condition of each of the inhabitants paying a Venetian denier . On the return of the envoys an assembly

was convened in the church of the Holy Cross , when the terms of peace were laid before the meeting . De Beaujeu advised that the terms should be agreed to , unless some other mode of saving the city could be discovered . Before anything

could be settled , a host of armed people rushed into the Church , and shouting " Treachery , " attempted to kill the Grand Master , but his cool and determined demeanour struck terror to their craven souls , aud they dropped their weapons .

Finding his zeal and forethought for the preservation of the citizens so badly requited the Grand Master addressed the multitude , and again stating the terms of peace offered by the Sultan , demanded of them whether they would accept of

these or attempt a defence of the city . To this the answered that they would rather fight for the city than enter into a truce with the enemy , relying on the strengch of the walls and the valour of the citizens . The Grand Master

then dismissing all thoughts of peace resolved to die , sword in hand , for the unreasonable and paltry minded citizens , knowing too well that however gallant the resistance the infidel , would in the long run be successful in storming the city . The

only thought of this noble and generous man was to weary out the infidels by a determined resistance , and so preserve those recreants who were incapable of repelling war by war , and would not consent to be saved by peace .

William de Beaujeu was appointed commander , and the garrison consisted of twelve thousand men , exclusive of the troops of the Templars and Hospitallers . The King of Cyprus commanded a force of five hundred foot and two hundred horse .

These troops were divided into four bodies , and distributed along the wall . Immediately upon the rejection of the terms of peace , the siege was renewed with vigour . Sixty thousand horse , and a hundred and forty thousand foot , incessantly attacked the city , and left the defenders not a moment for repose . The machines hurled stones

The Knights Templars.

and enormous pieces of wood into the city , which in their fall dashed through the roof of house and palace . Showers of arrows , darts , fire pots , and leaden balls , night and day , swept the ramparts and towers . In the first assaults numbers of the

infidels were slain and the Templars made numerous sorties , in one of which they cut their way to the tents of the infidel . The danger united the contending parties in the city , and all fought with the greatest valour . The King of Cyprus at

length , anxious for safety , fled with his troops by sea from the city , amid the reproaches of the Christians . The day after the infidel made a fresh attack , and succeeded in forcing an entrance into the city , but the Templars and Hospitallers

rushing to the breach performed such prodigies of valour that the enemy retired . Early on the next moiming a general assembly was held at the house of the Hospitallers when the Patriarch of Jerusalem addressed the

Christians , pointed out to them the hopelessness of expecting aid from Europe , and that all that was left to them was to die and so achieve the crown of martyrdom . Religious enthusiasm filled the hearts of the assembly at this address , and each

one resolved to surrender life before they should yield the city . They hastened to their posts and prepared for the reception of the enemy . The

infidel encouraged by their partial success of the preceding day boldly attacked the gate of St . Anthony , which , being weakly guarded , was stormed . Reinforcements hastened from all parts of the city to the help of the Christians the

Templars swept down upon the infidel , and covered themselves with their enemies' gore ; the citizens tore off the roofs from the houses , and hurled them down upon the foe , while iron chains were drawn across the streets to prevent the

charging of the cavalry . The wounded recovered their strength , and the dying , bleeding and pale , rose like spectres to strike one blow before their souls quitted their earthly tenements . The infidel , terrified at such superhuman acts of valour

fled from the city , declaring that the dead had come to life again , and that the Christianscould not be slain . At length the 4 th of May , a day fatal to the Christians , dawned the attack was renewed , and

so fierce was the defence that seven infidels fell for every Christian . The principal object of attack was the gate of St . Anthony , which they succeeded in carrying , and were already upon