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CHAPTER XV.
CAPTURE OF A CARAVAN,

\ HILE King Louis lay at Damietta, awaiting the

arrival of Crusaders from France and Syria, ere
venturing to march into Egypt, the utmost disorder
began to prevail in the camp. The armed pilgrims,
left to inactivity in a delightful climate, under a
bright sky, and surrounded by beautiful scenery,
appeared once more to forget the oaths they had
taken, and indulged in still worse riot and debauchery
than when they wintered in Cyprus. Gambling was
their daily occupation; and the rattle of the dice-box
was constantly heard through the camp. And men
with the Cross of Christ upon their shoulders had
the name of the devil continually on their tongues,
Nor was this the worst. Vice reigned all around in its
grossest form ; and the saint-king complained mourn-
fully to the Lord of Joinville, that, within a stone’s-
throw of his own pavilion, houses of infamous repute
were kept by his personal attendants.

At the same time, the jealousy between the French
and English grew more and more intense, and threat-
ened disastrous consequences. In vain did Louis -
exert his influence to restrain the insolence of his