volume one

HISTOIIY OF THE CEUSADES. 497
sulmau cavalry surround the plain on wliich our army is
encamped. It is difficult and dangerous to advance across
the mountains of Judea. The roads, bordered bj precipices,
are, in many places, cut through the solid rock, and are
dominated by steep heights, from -which ill-armed peasants
will be sufficient to crush, or at least to stop the columns of
the Christians. How are we to transport through such
narrow passes our baggage, our machines, or our munitions
of war ? If our bravery should succeed in surmounting all
these difficulties, will it be easy to keep up our communi-
cations with the coast ? If we are conquered, how shall
we make our retreat, pursued by the army of Saladin ?"
Opinions continued to be divided : the king of England
wished to retreat to Ascalon ; whilst the dukes of Austria
and Burgundy warmly maintained that they ought to march
towards Jerusalem. Twenty-four knights were selected to
determine upon the course that was to be adopted, and the
Christian army awaited their decision ^vith an impatience
mingled with fear. After having deliberated for some time,
the twenty-four knights concluded that the army could not
pursue its march without danger, and that the most
prudent plan would be to retreat towards the sea-coast.
Eichard, after having given the order for retreat, whether
he was sincerely afflicted, or whether he wished to regain
the confidence and esteem of the Crusaders, turned towards
Jerusalem with his eyes filled with tears, and covering his
face with his buckler, declared himself unworthy to behold a
city that he could not conquer.
The Crusaders once more turned their backs upon Jerusalem,
which they had sworn so ofteii and so solemnly to
deliver, the soldiers totally unable to comprehend the policy
or intentions of their leaders. E-ichard, Avho had led the
Christian army towards the holy city, might at least be
accused of want of determination of purpose.* The uncertainty
of his plans completed the destruction of the
confidence which his skill and great military talents had
created; and tlie despair of the Crusaders put an end to
the fear of a chief they no longer loved. Discord broke out
with fresh fury ; such as remained partisans of Eichard,
* Gibbon's conclusion is very different. He says, "The laurels of Richard
were bUsted by the prudence or enry of his companions."
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Trans.