160 THE BOY CRUSADERS.

his companions. Marry, we are like to be in a similar
plight; for famine begins to stare us in the face!’

Guy grcaned aloud, and wondered why he had left,
England; and, at that time, indeed, the new and
terrible danger daunted every heart. Resolved to
cut off all communication between Damietta and the
camp of the Crusaders, the sultan ordered a number
of galleys to be transported overland, to form an
ambuscade; and many French vessels were inter-
cepted. For a time, Louis could not comprehend
how no arrivals took place, and felt the gravest.
alarm. Ere long, however, one vessel, belonging to
the Count of Flanders, escaped the vigilance of the
galleys, and brought tidings that the sultan’s flac
was displayed all along ihe Nile. The Crusaders
received this intelligence with horror; and, in a few
days, the evil of famine was added to that of pesti-
lence.

‘What is to be done now ?’ asked they, giving way
to despondency. |

‘It is quite clear,’ said Louis, ‘that, in order to
save ourselves, we must treat with our enemies.’

- “No time was lost. Philip de Montfort, a knight of
renown, was despatched as ambassador to the sultan,
and was led to cherish hopes of success. The sultan
not only expressed his readiness +o treat, but actually
nominated commissioners. At first everything went
smoothly, and the Saracens appeared reasonable in
their demands. But when the question of hostages
came-to be discussed, a difficulty arose.

‘I am empowered to offer the Counts of Poictiers
and Anjou as hostages,’ said De Montiort.