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CHAPTER XXV.
MORTIFICATIONS AND MISERIES.

O longer could the armed pilgrims, so recently
buoyed up with the hope of making themselves
famous as the conquerors of Egypt, delude their
imaginations with the project of advancing to Cairo.
‘It is necessary to retreat to Damietta,’ said the
wise and prudent. |

‘A retreat to Damietta in the face of the foe is
more than our pride can brook,’ exclaimed the
haughty and obstinate.

‘Let us remain at Djédilé, and trust to the course
of events,’ suggested the reckless and the irresolute.

At Djédilé, accordingly, the Crusaders remained ;
and ere long, their calamities began in earnest, and
daily increased in magnitude. First came disease;
then came famine; and death and despair soon did
more than the Saracens could with the utmost efforts
have hoped to accomplish.

It appears that, after the two battles fought on the
plains of Mansourah, the Crusaders had neglected to
bury the slain; and the bodies thrown confusedly into
the Achmoun, and floating on the water, stopped
before the wooden bridge, and infected the atmo-