volume one

240 mSTOKY OF THE CEUSADES.
The Christians soon arrived in the plain of Ascalon. This
immense plain is bounded on the east and south by mountains,
and extends on the west to tlie sea. On the coast
was situated the city of Ascalon, over which the Mussulman
standards floated. At the extremity of the plain the army
of Egypt was di'awn up, with the sea and the mountains
behind it. The Crusaders advanced in two lines ; the count
of Thoulouse commanded the right wing, the two Roberts
and Tancred were placed at the left. Grodfrey commanded
a body of reserve, which was at the same time to keep the
garrison of Ascalon in check and fight with the army of
Egypt.
AAHiilst the Christian army was thus marching in battle
array, the drove of oxen and camels that they had met on
their route came to their rear, and followed all their movements.
The confused noise of these animals, mingled with
the soim^d of the drums and trumpets, and the clouds of
dust which arose uuder their steps, caused them to be taken
for squadrons of horse, and the Mussulmans were persuaded
that the Christian army was more numerous than their own.
They were drawn up in two lines, as the Crusaders were.
The Tm-ks from Spia and Bagdad were on the right ; the
Moors and Egyptians on the left ; the emir Afdhal occupied
the centre with the main body of the Eg^-ptian forces. This
army covered an immense space, and, says Eoulcher de
Chartres, like a stag wlio projects his branching horns, it
extended its wings to envelop the Christians ; but a sudden
terror rendered it motionless.
In vaiu the emir endeavoured to rouse the courage of his
soldiers. They fancied that millions of Crusaders had
arrived from the West ; they forgot both their oaths and
their threats, and only remembered the fate of the Mussulmans
immolated after the conquest of Jerusalem.
Before engaging, all the Crusaders, fully armed, fell on
their knees to implore the protection of Heaven ; and rising
full of ardour and hope, marched against the Saracens. If
the most truthful historians are to be believed, they had not
more than fifteen thousand foot and five thousand horse.
TVlien they had arrived within bow-shot, the foot-soldiers
made several discharges of javelins, at the same time the
cavalry, increasing their speed, precipitated themselves upon