volume one

niSTOHY OF TKE CRUSADES. 287
tomed to fly before tlie Pranks, and they were never seconded
in their expeditions by the Mussulmans of Syria, who were
jealous of their appearance in their territories. A small
number of Christian warriors, who could never have been
taken for an army if they had not performed prodigies, were
suiBcient to put to the rout a multitude of soldiers who
made a sortie from the walls of Ascalon. In consequence
of this victory, several places which the Egyptians still held
on the coasts of Syria, fell into the hands of the Christians.
Bertrand, son of Raymond de St. Gilles, arrived from
Europe with the purpose of attacking the city of Tripoli.
This city, taken at first by the Egyptians before the first
crusade, and fallen again under the power of a Turkish
commander, had, in order to defend itself against the Chris-
tians, once more recognised the authority of the caliph of
Egypt. But tins caliph thought more about punishing the
rebellion of Tripoli than of providing for its defence. He
liad put the principal inhabitants in irons, had levied heavy
tributes, and when the people implored his assistance against
the enemies of Islamism, the caliph sent a vessel to demand
a beautiful slave who was in the city, and whom he destined
for his seraglio. The irritated people, instead of giving up
the slave he demanded, sent him a piece of wood, saying,
" T'liat lie might make something out of that to amuse himself
idthy * The inhabitants of Tripoli, -then being without
hope, surrendered to the Christians.
llaymond, count de St. Grilles and of Thoulouse, one of
the companions of Grodfrey, after having wandered for a long
time about Asia, had died before this place, of which he had
commenced the siege. In memory of his exploits in the
first crusade, the rich territory of Tripoli was created a
county, and became the inheritance of his family.
This territory was celebrated for its productions. Limpid
streams, rushing with impetuosity between the rocks of
Libanus, flowed in many chaimels to water the numerous
gardens of Tripoli. In the plains, and on the hills adjacent
to the sea, grew in abundance wheat, the vine, the olive, and
the white mulberry, whose leaves nourish the silkworm,
which had been introduced by Justinian into the richest
provinces of his empire. The city of Tripoli contained
* These details are taken from the Arabian historian Novdiry.