volume one

152 HISTORY OF THE CRUSADES.
from its bra\'est knights. All the leaders, with the exception
of the inflexible Eaymond, united in according the principality
of Antioch to Bohemond, and conjured him to hasten
the execution of his project.
Upon leaving the council, the prince of Tarentum sent
information of the resolution of the leaders to Phirous, who
placed his own son in the prince's hands as a hostage. The
execution of the plan was fixed for the next • day. To lull
the garrison of Antioch in the greatest security, it was
agreed that the Christian army should quit the camp, and
direct its march at first towards the route by which the
prince of Mossoul was expected to arrive, and that at nightfall
it should meet under the walls of Ascalon. On the
following day, early in the morning, the troops received
orders to prepare for their departure. At some hours before
night the Crusaders issued from their camp, and marched
away, trumpets sounding and standards flying. After a
march of a short distance, they retraced their steps, and
returned in silence under the walls of Antioch. At a signal
given by the prince of Tarentum, they halted in a valley on
the west, and near to the tower of the Three Sisters, in
which Phirous commanded- It was there that the leaders
revealed to the army the secret of the great expedition which
was to open to them the gates of the city.
The projects of Phirous and Bohemond, however, were
very near fadriig. At the moment that the Christian army
quitted their camp, and aU was prepared for carrying out
the plot, a report of treason all at once was spread throughout
Antioch. The Christians and newly-converted Mussulmans
were suspected ; the name of Phirous even was whispered,
and he was accused of keeping up an intelligence
\vith the Crusaders. He was obliged to appear before
Accien, who interrogated him closely, and fixed his eyes
intently upon him in order to penetrate his thoughts ; but
Phirous dispersed all his suspicions by his firm countenance.
He himself proposed the proper measures to be taken
against the traitors, and adrised his master to change the
commanders of the principal towers. This advice was
approved of, and Accien determined to foUow it on the
morrow. In the mean time orders were given to load "with
chains and put to death, during the darkness of the night,