The Knights Templars.

while the lion was still at large . It was accordinglyagreed that Guy should retain the sovereignty during his lifetime , and after his death , the crown was to revert to Conrad and Isabella . While these discussions went on , bringing the

siege to a complete standstill , the inhabitants of Acre repaired the breaches in the walls , and Saladin seizing a favourable opportunity , threw a large reinforcement of troops into the town with a plentiful supply of provisions . Thus , when the

Christians renewed the siege , they found all the fruits of their former exertions lost . The conflicts between the followers of the Cross and Cresent became incessant and bloody . Never was greater courage displayed , never were more

brilliant passages at arms exhibited . The Templars dyed their white cloaks crimson in the blood of their enemies , while the Hospitallers deepened the scarlet of their mantles iu the same stream . All

rivalry was now forgotten ; all grounds of complaint thrown aside . Side by side they rode , terrible champions of the Cross , overturning and slaying hosts of the enemy . Single combats between the Christian leaders , and the Moslem chiefs

were of daily occurrence . In these the lion heart of England played a conspicuous part . Like a Paladin of romance he fought , and wherever he struck , down went the foe . Had he been as good a leader as he was a man at arms , how changed

might have been the fate of Palestine . In pitched battles the Christians had the advantage , and Scott has well likened the Saracens from their numbers and mode of warfare to a

swarm of hornets , easily crushed when got within the grasp , but dangerous aud deadly when upon the wing . No sooner was one band annihilated than another sprang up in its place , like the fabled heads of the Hydra . To aid the Saracens

and distress the Christians a pestilence broke out in the camp of the Crusaders , which destroyed many of their best aud bravest , and converted the trenches dug for defence against the infidel , into graves for the defenders of the faith .

But the days of Acre , as a possession of the Saracens , were numbered , and Saladin shed bitter tears , as the certainty of its loss dawned upon him . * The siege was carried on with so much vigour , that the inhabitants were at last forced to sue for

peace . They sent to the Christians to treat for he surrender of the city , and on the 12 th of

July , a meeting was held in the tent of the Grand Master of the Templars for that purpose . The Kings of England and France , Robert de Sablaus , the Grand Master of the Hospitallers , and the principal Christian leaders , appeared on behalf of

the besiegers . The Turkish Emirs with their green banners , came on the part of the besieged The city capitulated on the following terms . All the arms , warlike machines , and the ships which were iu the port of Acre , were to become the

property of the Crusaders . The besieged were to pay , moreover , the sum of two hundred thousand pieces of gold ; the True Cross , in the possession of Saladin , was to be restored ; two thousand noble , and five hundred inferior Christian

captives released . The following day the gates were thrown open and the Crusaders took possession .

The Templars , who had , after the fall of Jerusalem , established their headquarters at Antioch , now transferred them to Acre . They took possession of their former house situated on the seashore , and mounted a large Red Cross banner

upon the tower . * They , likewise , seizing upon several places along the coast , strongly fortified their position . Richard took up his abode in the King ' s palace , but Philip preferred lodging with the Templars , f whose palace Vinsauf states fell to his share of the spoil . J

Two months were allowed Saladin to fulfil the terms of the treaty , but , when he had collected the ransom money , and was about to hand it over with the prisoners , his Emirs interfered . They represented to him their want of confidence in the

honour of the Christians , and recommended him , before complying with the terms ofthe surrender , to send for the Grand Master of the Templars , in whom , according to the Arabian historian I'bn Alatsyr , who was then present in the camp , they

had perfect confidence , " from their ( the Templars ) regard for their promises , and reverence for the sanctity of an oath . " Their representations were listened to by Saladin , who sending for de Sablaus , told him that he was ready on his part to comply

with the conditions of the surrender , provided the Grand Master , on behalf of the Christians , would guarantee on their part a like performance . De Sablaus knowing so well the conflicting elements