THE ORIFLAMME LANDED. Va

the shore; and they were setting their men in battle
order, and covering themselves with their shields,
and presenting the points of their lances to check
the impetuosity of the enemy.

And now King Louis lost all patience; and deem-
ing it no time to stand on his regal dignity, he leaped
from his barge, and plunging up to his shoulders in
the water, struggled towards the shore. Inspired by
his example, the Crusaders threw themselves into the
sea In a body, and pressed eagerly onward, with cries
of ‘Montjoie! St. Deriis!’ Again the silence was
unbroken, save by the clash of mail, the noise of
a dense crowd of armed men struggling with the
waves, which were so elevated by the rush, that
they fell and broke at the feet of the Saracens. In
a few moments, however, the oriflamme was landed,
and the saint-king, with the salt water running off
his armour, was on his knees giving thanks to God
for having preserved him and his companions from
the perils of the deep.

‘And now, gentlemen,’ said Louis, as he rose and
looked excitedly around him, ‘let us forthwith
charge our enemies in the name of God.’ .

‘ Be patient, sire,’ replied the knights, interfering ;
‘it is better to await the landing of our comrades,
that we may fight with advantage.’

Louis allowed himself to be persuaded; and it
speedily appeared that caution was necessary; for,
while the Crusaders were still struggling ashore in
disorder, the Saracen cavalry came down upon them
with an impetuosity which convinced the French
that their adversaries were not to be despised. But