a certain liking for Henry, who was his nephew, he wished to conquer a few more provinces for him in a hurry, and to win some fresh laurels for himself at the same time; and accordingly began the war anew against Saladin.  A Turkish fortress was taken, when more evil tidings arrived from England, and Richard announced that he could not remain a moment longer.  The barons broke out in a general cry of indignation that he who had plunged them into danger should forsake them in the midst of it, and once more the vacillating King allowed himself to be diverted from his purpose.  Again the Christians remained long inactive at Baitnuba, not daring to attack the city.

The ultimate reason for this delay was illustrative of the state of things.  The leaders knew that the great mass of pilgrims would disperse as soon as their vows were fulfilled by the deliverance of the Holy Sepulchre; this would seal the destruction of the Frankish rule in Syria, should it happen before the treaty of peace with Saladin was concluded.  Thus the ostensible object of the crusade could not be achieved without ruining Christianity in the East.  It is impossible to give a stronger illustration of the hopelessness and internal conflict of all their views and endeavors at that time.  They at last turned back disheartened to Ramla, where they were startled by the news that Saladin had unexpectedly assumed the offensive, attacked the important seaport town of Jaffa, and was probably already in possession of it.

Richard’s warlike impetuosity once more burst forth.  With a handful of followers he put to sea and hastened to Jaffa.  When he came in sight of the harbor, the Turks were already inside the town, plundering in every direction, and assailing the last remains of the garrison.  After a short reconnoitre Richard drove his vessel on shore, rushed with an echoing war-cry into the midst of the enemy’s superior force, and by his mighty blows actually drove the Turks in terror and confusion out of the place.  On the following day he encamped with contemptuous insolence outside the gates with a few hundred horsemen, when he was suddenly attacked by as many thousands.  In one instant he was armed, drove back the foremost assailants, clove a Turk’s head down to his shoulders, and then rode along the wavering front of the enemy, from one wing to the other.  “Now,” cried he, “who will dare a fight for the honor of God?” Henceforth his fame was such that, years after, Turkish mothers threatened their children with “King Richard is coming!” and Turkish riders asked their shying horses if “they saw the Lion-hearted King.”

But these knightly deeds did not advance the war at all.  It was fortunate for the Franks that Saladin’s emirs were weary of the long strife, and the Sultan himself wished for the termination of hostilities in consequence of his failing health.  The favorable terms of the former treaty, more especially the possession of Jerusalem, were of course no longer to be obtained.  The Christians were obliged to be content, on August 30, 1192, with a three-years’ armistice, according to which the sea-coast from Antioch to Joppa was to remain in the possession of the Christians, and the Franks obtained permission to go to Jerusalem as unarmed pilgrims, to pray at the Holy Sepulchre.  Richard embarked directly, without even taking measures for ransoming the prisoners.