volume one

110 HISTORY OF THE CSUSAHES.
Before the commencement of the "battle, Boliemond had
sent messengers to inform them of the attack of the Turks.
On learning this, the duke of Lorraine, the count de Yermandois,
and the count of Flanders, at the head of the mam
body of their army, had directed their march towards the
valley of Grorgoni, followed by Eaymond and Adhemar, who
brought up the baggage, at the head of the rear-guard.
"When they appeared upon the ridge of the mountains on
the eastern side, the sun was in the midst of his course, and
his light shone full upon their shields, their helmets, and
their naked swords ; the ensigns were displayed ; the noise
of their drums and clarions resounded afar ; and fifty thousand
horsemen, fully armed and eager for the fight, advanced
in good order. This splendid sight revived the hopes of the
Crusaders, and cast fear and dread among the infidel ranks.
Scarcely had Godfrey, who, followed by fifty knights, had
preceded his army, mixed with the combatants, when the
sultan sounded a retreat and retired to the heights, where
he hoped the Crusaders would not dare to follow him. The
second body of the Christian army soon arrived on the plain
smoking with the blood of the Christians. The Crusaders,
recognising their brothers and companions stretched in the
dust, became impatient to revenge their death, and with
loud cries demanded to be led to the fight. Even the combatants
who had been fighting from morning, now would not
hear of repose. The Clu'istian army immediately formed in
order of battle. Bohemond, Tancred, and Robert of Xormandy,
placed themselves on the left ; Grodfrey, the count
of Flanders, and the count of Blois led on the right wing.
Raymond commanded the centre, and the rear-guard, or body
of reserve, was placed under the orders of Adhemar. Before
the leaders gave the word, the priests passed among the
ranks, exhorting the Crusaders to fight manfully, and gi\dng
them their benedictions. The soldiers and the leaders,
drawing their swords, and threatening the enemy, cried with
one voice, " Jif is the will of God! It is the tcill of God!^'
and this animating war-cry was repeated by the echoes of
the mountains and the valleys. At length the Christian
army advanced, marching full of confidence against the
Turks, for whom the rocks and the hills appeared to be a
sure place of refuge.