COURAGE OF AN ENGLISH KNIGHT. 153

had not anticipated. In fact, the Saracen infantry,
moving forward, overwhelmed the knights with
Greek fire, and threw them into confusion. Surcoats
and caparisons blazed, and the horses plunged, broke
from the control of their riders, and galloped to and
fro. While they were in disorder, Bibars Bendocdar,
at the head of the Mamelukes, penetrated within
the entrenchments, and the Count of Anjou found
himself surrounded by foes.

Ere this, King Louis, aware of his brother’s peril,
despatched Bisset, the English knight, with a mes-
sage assuring the count of speedy aid; but, ere the
Englishman reached the Count of Anjou, he met the
French cavalry flying in disarray. Bisset reined up,
and addressed the fugitives.

‘Christian warriors,’ said he, ‘I come from your
king to ask whither are you flying? See you not
that the horses of the unbelievers are swifter than
yours ?’

‘It is too true,’ replied the fugitives.

‘Come then,’ said Bisset, ‘follow me, and I will
show you what your king deems a safer road than
flight; and charging among the Mamelukes, in front
of the French cavalry, the English knight succeeded
in maintaining the conflict, which had commenced
so inauspiciously for the French.

And aid was at hand; for Louis did not forget his
promise of succour. Shouting his battle-cry, he
spurred, lance in rest, to his brother’s rescue, and,
precipitating himself with his knights on the Moslem
warriors, soon redeemed the disaster which had
marked the opening of the battle. Nor did the