144 TIE BOY CRUSADERS.

‘Sir count,’ said he; ¢I beg you to remain with us
and guard this bridge; for, should it be lost, the
king will have his enemies upon him both in front
and rear.’

‘Willingly, seneschal,’ replied the count; and he
placed himself on Joinville’s right hand, while a
French knight who was with him took his station
on the left. |

While Joinville and his companions were seated
on their horses, prepared to keep the bridge at all
hazards against all comers, the Saracens made re-
peated efforts to drive them from their post. But
they remained firm as rocks. Trusting to accomplish
by stratagem what they could not do by force, the
Saracens attempted to lure them from the spot; and
one stalwart horseman, galloping suddenly forward,
felled one of the French knights with his battle-axe,
and then retreated to his own people, hoping that he
would be followed. But Joinville, who comprehended ~
the purpose, would not be decoyed, and resolutely
kept his ground, though annoyed and wounded by a
rabble of half-armed Saracens, who incessantly threw
darts, and large stones, and hard clods.

At length, however, the Saracens began to make
themselves much more formidable, and to discharge
Greek fire, which threatened to do much mischief,
and pressed forward with savage yells.

‘On my faith, we must take order with this
rabble,’ said the Count of Soissons, growing angry.

‘As you will,’ replied Joinville; and, without
further hesitation, they charged the crowd, put them
to flight, and resumed their post.