ISLAMISM IN DANGER. 111

At this crisis, Fakreddin, to whom the sultana
had entrusted the command of the Egyptian army,
took measures to reanimate his countrymen with
courage and confidence, and called upon them to
hazard their lives freely for their religion.

‘In the name of God, and Mahomet his prophet,’
said the emir, ‘hasten, great and small—the cause of
God has need of your arms and of your wealth; the
Franks — Heaven curse them! —are arrived in our
country, with their standards and their swords. They
wish to obtain possession of our cities, and to ravage
our provinces. What Mussulman can refuse to
march against them, and avenge the glory of Is-
lamism ?’

But, at Cairo and Mansourah, the Egyptians only
answered with sighs and groans; and, at first,
Fakreddin’s appeal failed to produce the effect he
intended. The emir, however, was not dismayed,
Indeed, he showed a courage worthy of the fame he
had won by his military exploits, and gradually
rallied the more courageous of his countrymen
around him. Marching from Mansourah, he en-
camped at Djedilé, on the side of the canal known
as the Achmoun, whicb has a deep bed and steep
banks; and halted with the Nile on his left and the
city in his rear.

‘Here,’ said he, addressing his men, ‘I await the
invaders. Be brave; we will yet avenge Islamism ;
and on Sebastian’s-day I will dine in the scarlet tent
of the French king.’

Meanwhile, the Crusaders peated their march,
and they soon approached Mansourah. At _ this