HOSTAGES REFUSED, 161

‘No,’ replied the Saracens, ‘the sultan requires
the King of France.’

‘You ought to know Frenchmen better,’ exclaimed
Geotfrey de Segrines, one of the commissioners ; ‘ they
would rather die than leave their king in pledge.’

After this, the negotiation was broken off; and the
French prepared to cross the Achmoun by the bridge,
and deliberate on the propriety of marching back to
Damietta. But even the passage of the bridge was
not effected without terrible danger and heavy loss.
No sooner did the Crusaders begin to move, than the
Saracens came down upon them, and made a furious
attack ; but Walter de Chatillon, a French baron of
great fame, led on his companions to the encounter,
and after being seconded by the Count of Anjou,
succeeded in repulsing the foe. The Crusaders, how-
ever, after remaining some days in their old camp,
found that they were a prey to the worst calamities,
and, no longer hesitating, decided on a day for return-
ing to Damietta.

Unfortunately for the armed pilgrims, their reso-
lution was no secret to the Saracens, and when
Touran Chah became aware of their intended move-
ment down the Nile, he devised measures to inter-
cept them. He himself harangued his soldiers,
distributed money and provisions, reinforced them
with Arabs attracted to his standard by the prospect
of booty, and ordered boats with troops on board to
descend the river, and join the fleet already there ;
while bodies of light horse were placed on all the
roads by which the Crusaders were likely to make
good their retreat.