DAMIETTA ABANDONED. a9

Nexf, day the Crusaders had still stronger reason to
congratulate themselves on the good fortune which
nad attended their arms. At daybreak, looking
towards Damietta, they observed that columns of smoke
were rising from the bosom of the city, and that the
whole horizon was on fire. Without delay the King
of France sent one of his knights and a body of
cavalry to ascertain the cause; and, on reaching
Damietta, the knight found the gates open, and
learned on entering that the Saracens, after setting
fire to that part called the Fonde, which was a row
of shops and warehouses, had abandoned the city.
Returning to the camp at a gallop, while his men
remained to extinguish the fire, the knight announced
the glad tidings to the saint-king.

‘Sire,’ said he, ‘I bring good news; Damietta may
be taken possession of without striking a blow.’

It was not very easy, even after hearing all, to
credit this knight’s report; and Louis was somewhat
suspicious of a stratagem. However, he gave orders
for marching towards the gates, and moving slowly,
and with much caution, took possession. It was
clear that the city had been abandoned by its
defenders; and the king, the cardinal legate, and
the clergv, having formed in procession, walked to
the grand mosque, which was speedily converted
into a Christian church, and sang psalms of praise
and thankseiving.

And now the Crusaders, with Damietta in their
nossession, were indeed elate, and rather inclined to
magnify their successes; and the Queen of France
end the Countess of Anjou, and the other ladies