Damascus in the first instance, and the Christians in the second. Baldwin entered into alliance with the Emir, and though the Caliph's army avoided a battle, so formidable a coalition .sufficed to drive back the invaders. Nevertheless, the Christians looked with horror on an alliance so unnatural. Count Boger of Antioch at the same time dispersed the Turkish army in alliance with Toghtegin, and, for a time at least, Palestine was free from enemies on the north and east. Baldwin was not, however, disposed to sit down in peace and rest. He employed what little leisure he could get in populating his city of Jerusalem by persuading the Christians across the Jordan to give up their pastures and meadows, and come under his protection. He founded the stronghold of Montreal, in Moab, on the site of the old city of Diban, and he made a second journey to the east and south of his kingdom, with twelve hundred horse and four hundred foot, penetrating as far, we are told, as the Bed Sea, probably to Petra—Albert of Aix says Horeb, "where he built in eighteen days a new castle." These affairs being settled, and there being every appearance of tranquillity in all directions, he turned his thoughts to the conquest of Egypt, and actually set off to accomplish this with an army of one hundred and sixteen knights and four hundred foot soldiers. They penetrated as far as Pharamia, near the ancient Pelusium, which the inhabitants abandoned in a panic. They found here food and drink in plenty, and rested for two whole days. On the third, certain of the more prudent came to Baldwin : " We are few in number," they said ; " our arrival is known in all the country; it is only three days' march from here to Cairo. Let us therefore take counsel how best to get out .of the place." The king, seeing the wisdom of this advice, ordered the walls to be thrown down, and all the houses of the town to be set on fire. But whether it was the heat of the day, or the effect of over-exertion, he felt in the evening violent