volume one

HISTORY OE THE CRUSADES. IH
The Saracens remained motionless on tlie mountains, and
had apparently exhausted their arrows. The nature of the
ground did not allow them to perform their rapid evolutions
or pursue their usual tactics. JN^either were they animated
by the hopes of victory ; but, in an attitude which expressed
fear, they awaited their enemies in silence. The count of
Thoulouse, who attacked them in front, broke through their
ranks at the first charge. Tancred, Godfrey, Hugh, and the
two Roberts, attacked them on their flanks with the same
advantage. Adhemar, who had gone round the mountaias,
directed his attack upon the rear of the enemies, and completed
the disorder. The Saracens found themselves surrounded
by a forest of lances, and became only solicitous
to secure safety by escaping over the rocks and through the
woods. A great number of emu's, three thousand officers,
and more than twenty thousand soldiers, lost their lives in
the battle and the flight.
The camp of the enemy, which was at two leagues' distance,
fell into the hands of the Crusaders. The conquerors
there found abundance of pro\dsions, magnificently ornamented
tents, immense treasiu'es, all sorts of beasts of
biu'then, and above all, a gi'eat number of camels. The
sight of these animals, which were then unknown in the
AYest, caused them as much siu'prise as joy. They mounted
the horses of the Saracens, to pursue the remains of the
conquered army. Towards nightfall they returned to their
camp loaded with booty, preceded by their priests, singuig
hymns and canticles of thanksgiving. Both leaders and sol-
diers had covered themselves with glory in this great conflict.
'We have named the principal leaders of the army; historians
point out many more, such as Baldwin of Beauvais, Gralon
de Calmon, Graston de Beam, Gerard de Cherisi, all of whom
signalized themselves by exploits, says AVilliam of Tyre, the
remembrance of which t\t11 never perish.
The day after the victory the Crusaders repaired to the
field of battle for the purpose of burying the dead. They
had lost fom^ thousand of their companions, and they
paid them the last duties in tears ; the clergy offered up
their prayers for them, and the army honoured them as
martyrs. They soon, however, passed from funeral ceremonies
to transports of the wildest joy. On stripping the