206 THE BOY CRUSADERS.

‘One of the emirs that were against us,’ says
Joinville, ‘threatening we were to be slain, came to
the bank of the river, and shouted out in Saracen to
those who were on board our galley, and, taking off
his turban, made signs, and told them they were to
carry us back to Babylon. The anchors were instantly
raised, and we were carried a good league up the
river. This caused great grief to all of us, and
many tears fell from our eyes, for we now expected
nothing but death.’

And what in the meantime was taking place in
Damietta ?

Nothing in truth could have exceeded the anxiety
which prevailed within the walls of that city, when
thither were carried tidings of the assassination of the
Sultan of Egypt, and of the new danger to which the
King of France and the captive Crusaders were
exposed. |

The aspect of affairs was indeed menacing ; and it
was not till messengers from King Louis came to
announce that the treaty was to be maintained and
the city evacuated, that something like confidence
was restored. On the evening of Friday, Queen
Margaret, with the Countesses of Anjou, Poictiers,
and Artois, and the other ladies, went on board a
Genoese vessel. As night advanced, Oliver de
Thermes and all the Crusaders who had garrisoned
Damietta embarked on the Nile, and Geoffery de
Segrines, having brought the keys to the emirs, the
Saracens took possession. Next morning at day-
break the Moslem standards were floating over tower
and turret. But still King Louis was in the hands