THE ARABS AND KARISMIANS. 83

The Arab cavalry of the Desert, and bands of
horsemen belonging to that wild nation known ag
the Karismians, were employed on this service; and
the Crusaders found themselves exposed to dangers
against which it seemed impossible to guard. As
wild animals prowl around the habitations of men on
the watch for prey, so around the Christian camp
prowled the Arabs and Karismians by day and by
night. If even at noon a soldier wandered from the
camp he was lost; and, in hours of darkness, sentinel
aiter sentinel disappeared, and knight after knight
was struck dead, as if by invisible hands. Every
morning the Crusaders had to listen to some new
tale of horror which made their blood run cold.

Ere the Arabs and Karismians had carried alarm
into the camp of the Crusaders, many of the warriors
of the West had begun to suffer from the climate of
Ikeypt; and among others who were prostrated, was
the old Earl of March. For a time he seemed likely
to fall a victim to the malady; but the natural vigour
of his constitution at length prevailed; and he had
clmost recovered, when a sudden inroad of the enemy
exposed him to a new peril.

It was the afternoon of an August day; and Earl
Patrick was arraying himself to ride into Damietta
to attend a council of war. His white charger stood
at the entrance of his pavilion, and there sat Walter
Espec, looking somewhat gloomy, as many of the
armed pilgrims were already doing, when Guy
Muschamp approached with a countenance from
which much of the habitual gaiety had vanished.

‘What tidings?’ asked Waiter, eagerly.