194 THE BOY CRUSADERS.

kave borne the burden of the war, but on men whose
sole merit consists in having come from the banks of
the Euphrates to the Nile.’

Now, the sultan’s favourites were not unaware of
the unfriend!y feeling with which they were regarded
by the Mameluke chiefs. Indeed, they saw all the
dangers of their position, and considered it politic,
under the circumstances, to reduce the influence of
the emirs and Mamelukes by bringing about a treaty
with the Crusaders.

‘In these people,’ said they to the sultan, * you
have enemies far more dangerous than the Christians,
Nothing will content them but reigning in your stead.
They never cease to boast of their victories, as if they
alone had conquered the Franks, and as if the God |
of Mahomet had not sent pestilence and famine to
aid you in triumphing. But hasten to terminate the
war, that you may strengthen your power within; and
then you will be able to reign in reality.’

As soon as ‘Touran Chah was convinced that the
emirs and Mamelukes entertained projects of ambi-
tion dangerous to his power, and that war was
favourable to their designs, he resolved to show the
chiefs how little he regarded their opinions; and,
without even consulting them, he sent some of his
favourites to the house of Lokman, and empowered
them to treat with Louis.

‘ King,’ said the ambassador, ‘I come from the
sultan, to inform you that he will restore you to
liberty, on condition that you surrender to him the
cities of Palestine now held by the Franks.’ |

‘The cities of Palestine are not mine to give,’