70 THE BOY CRUSADERS,

gates of Bordeaux. Remembering such triumphs,
the French, who have in all ages~been vain and |
boastful, were continually vaunting about their
prowess, and repeating the story of some Englishman
having cut off the tail of Thomas 4 Becket’s horse,
and of Englishmen having ever after that outrage
been born with tails like horses.

Such being the state of affairs, the Earl of Salis-
bury did not inspire the French nobles with any
particular affection for him and his countrymen who
had arrived at Cyprus, when they heard him speak-
ing lightly of the dangers of the sea. In fact, the
French lords, who a few hours earlier had been sink-
ing under sea-sickness, trembling at the sound of
raging billows, and wishing themselves safely in
their own castles, cursed *‘ Longsword,’ as the worst
of * English tails.’

But the King of France did not share the malice
of his countrymen; and, much comforted by the
words of the English earl, he resolved on again
tempting the sea. Accordingly, on Monday morning,
he ordered the mariners to spread their sails to the
wind. The weather proving favourable, the fleet
made gallantly for the shores of Egypt; and on the
morning of Thursday, about sunrise, the watch on
deck of the vessel that led the van, shouted * Land!’

‘Surely, not yet,’ exclaimed several voices; but
the pilot to make certain ascended to the round-top
of the vessel.

‘Gentlemen,’ cried the pilot, it is all right. We
are before Damietta, so you have nothing to do but
to recommend yourselves to God.’