The next day, some more ships having arrived, King Richard found that in all, including the garrison, he could muster two thousand combatants.  The enemy renewed the attack in great numbers, and the assaults upon the walls were continuous and desperate.  King Richard, who loved fighting in the plain rather than behind walls, was impatient at this, and at one time so fierce was the attack that he resolved to sally out.  Only ten horses remained in the town, and King Richard, mounting one, called upon nine of the knights to mount and sally out with him.  The little band of ten warriors charged down upon the host of the Saracens and swept them before them.  It was a marvelous sight indeed to see so small a group of horsemen dashing through a crowd of Saracen warriors.  These, although at first beaten back, yet rallied, and the ten knights had great difficulty in fighting their way back to the town.  When near the walls the Christians again made a stand, and a few knights sallied out from the town on foot and joined them.  Among these was Cuthbert, the Earl of Evesham having accompanied King Richard in his charge.  In all, seventeen knights were now rallied round the king.  So fierce was the charge of the Saracens that the king ordered those on horseback to dismount, and with their horses in the center, the little body knelt with their lances opposed to the Saracens.  Again and again the wild cavalry swept down upon this little force, but in vain did they attempt to break their ranks.  The scene was indeed an extraordinary one.  At last the king, seeing that the enemy were losing heart, again ordered the knights to mount, and these dashing among the enemy, completed their defeat.

While this had been going on news came to the king that the Saracens from another side had made their way into Jaffa, and were massacring the Christians.  Without, an instant’s delay he flew to their succor, followed only by two knights and a few archers, the rest being so worn by their exertions as to be unable to move.  The Mamelukes, the chosen guard of Saladin, had headed the attack; but even these were driven out from the town, and Richard dashed out from the city in their pursuit.  One Saracen emir, distinguished for his stature and strength, ventured to match himself against the king, and rode boldly at him.  But with one blow Richard severed his head, and his right shoulder and arm, from his body.  Then having, by his single arm, put to rout the Saracens at this point, he dashed through them to the aid of the little band of knights who had remained on the defensive when he left them at the alarm of the city being entered.  These were almost sinking with fatigue and wounds; but King Richard opened a way around them by slaying numbers of the enemy, and then charged again alone into the midst of the Mussulman host, and was lost to the sight of his companions.  All thought that they would never see him again.  But he soon reappeared, his horse covered with blood, but himself unwounded; and the attack of the enemy ceased.