“I will go,” he said, “but to save the Saracens, not to slay them.”

He was not going out to fight, yet he had in his heart a plan that needed him to be braver and more full of resource than any warrior in the armies of the Crusades.  He was as much a Lion-hearted hero as Richard Coeur-de-Lion himself, and was far wiser and indeed more powerful.

So he took a close friend, Brother Illuminato, with him and they sailed away together over the seas.  They sailed from Italy with Walter of Brienne, with one of the Crusading contingents in many ships.  Southeast they voyaged over the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Francis talked with the Crusaders on board; and much that they said and did made him very sad.  They squabbled with one another.  The knights were arrogant and sneered at the foot soldiers; the men-at-arms did not trust the knights.  They had the Cross on their armour; but few of them had in their hearts the spirit of Jesus who was nailed to the Cross.

At last the long, yellow coast-line of Egypt was sighted.  Behind it lay the minarets and white roofs of a city.  They were come to the eastern mouth of the Nile, on which stood the proud city of Damietta.  The hot rays of the sun smote down upon the army of the Crusaders as they landed.  The sky and the sea were of an intense blue; the sand and the sun glared at one another.

Francis would just be able to hear at dawn the cry of the muezzin from the minarets of Damietta, “Come to prayer:  there is no God but Allah and Mahomet is his prophet.  Come to prayer.  Prayer is better than sleep.”

John of Brienne began to muster his men in battle array to attack the Sultan of Egypt, Malek-Kamel, a name which means “the Perfect Prince.”

Francis, however, was quite certain that the attempt would be a ghastly failure.  He hardly knew what to do.  So he talked it over with his friend, Brother Illuminato.

“I know they will be defeated in this attempt,” he said.  “But if I tell them so they will treat me as a madman.  On the other hand, if I do not tell them, then my conscience will condemn me.  What do you think I ought to do?”

“My brother,” said Illuminate, “what does the judgment of the world matter to you?  If they say you are mad it will not be the first time!”

Francis, therefore, went to the Crusaders and warned them.  They laughed scornfully.  The order for advance was given.  The Crusaders charged into battle.  Francis was in anguish—­tears filled his eyes.  The Saracens came out and fell upon the Christian soldiers and slaughtered them.  Over 6000 of them either fell under the scimitar or were taken prisoner.  The Crusaders were defeated.

Francis’ mind was now fully made up.  He went to a Cardinal, who represented the Pope, with the Crusading Army to ask his leave to go and preach to the Sultan of Egypt.

“No,” said the Cardinal, “I cannot give you leave to go.  I know full well that you would never escape to come back alive.  The Sultan of Egypt has offered a reward of gold to any man who will bring to him the head of a Christian.  That will be your fate.”