108 TIE BOY CRUSADERS.

A warm and somewhat angry discussion ensued ;
and Louis, having given his opinion in favour of
marching to Cairo, the project was adopted: and it
was resolved to leave Queen Marearet, with the
Countesses of Artois, Poictiers, and Anjou, at
Damietta, to send the fleet with provisions and
engines of war up the Nile, and then to march with
banners displayed along the banks of the river.

‘Gentlemen,’ said Louis, as he dismissed the
council, ‘I feel assured that we shall have no reason
to repent adopting the bolder of the projects dis-
cussed this day; for, with an army of sixty thousand
men, and the blessing of God on our endeavours, I
see no reason to despair of accomplishing something
great against the enemies of Christ.’

‘Sire,’ replied John de Valery, ‘may God grant
that your hopes be realised.’

And the nobles and princes separated to make the
necessary preparations for marching to Cairo.

ittle did they foresee the terrible circumstances
under which many of them were to reach that city,