140 THE BOY CRUSADERS.

the shrieks of the dying, and the yells of the Sara-
cens, as they bore down on their adversaries like
hawks on their prey, all was bloodshed, confusion,
and clamour, and the carnage was such as few men,
who fought on that field and survived it, ever re-
membcred without a thrill of awe.

And as the day sped on and the battle continued
to rage all over the plain, and warriors fell in heaps
before and around him, Louis became painfully aware
that Mansourah could not be reached, and that the
Crusaders were no longer fighting to conquer the
Saracens but to save themselves. And there was con-
siderable danger of Bibars Bendocdar drawing near
to the Achmoun, and cutting off all communication
between the camp of the Duke of Bureundy, and the
Christian army struggling for existence on the plains
ot Mansourah. On becoming aware of the danger, the
king decided on falling back towards the canal, and,
with the oriflamme displayed, moved in that direction.

Unfortunate were the consequences. A report im-
mediately spread that the king was retreating because
the Saracens were everywhere victorious, and im-
mediately there was a panic, and several squadrons
disbanded and rushed towards the canal. A terrible
scene followed, and men and horses were drowned
while struggling in the water. Nothing could have
exceeded the disorder and dismay. Louis, indeed,
made strenuous efforts to restore confidence, but his -
voice was scarcely heard in the tumult; and he
must have rejoiced when night put an end to the
conflict, and when Bibars Bendocdar retired to
Mansouvah, with the determination to attack the