volume one

BOOK IV.
A.D. 1099—1103.
MoEE than six months had passed away since the taking
of Antioch, and several of the leaders of the crusade still
thought nothing of commencing their march to Jerusalem.
As soon as Raymond gave the signal for departure, his soldiers,
and the knights who accompanied him, broke into loud
demonstrations of joy and a revived enthusiasm. The count
of Thoulouse was followed by Tancred and the duke of Normandy,
who were both impatient to accomplish their vow
and conquer Palestine. Conducted by these three leaders,
a great part of the Christian army traversed the territories
of Csesarea in Syria, Hamath, and Edessa. From aU parts
both Christians and Mussulmans came eagerly to meet them,
the former to beg their assistance, the latter to implore their
clemency. Many emirs came to conjure Raymond to plant
his standard on their cities' walls, to protect them from
pillage, and render them safe from the enterprises of the
other Crusaders. The pilgrims everywhere on their passage
received provisions and rich tributes without the trouble
and risk of fighting for them. In the course of their triumphant
march, the sweetest fruit of their labours and the
terror that their arms inspired was the return of a vast
number of Christian prisoners, whose death they had
mouTDed, who were sent to them from the neighbouring
cities by the Mussidman chiefs.
They drew near to the sea-coast, and advanced, almost
trithout obstacle, as far as the vicinity of Archas. This city
was situated at the foot of Libanus, two leagues from the
sea, in a territor}^ covered with olive-trees, and rich with
corn. The count of Thoulouse, either from a desire to
conquer so rich a country, or from being provoked by the
insults and threats of the infidels, resolved to besiege
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