CHAPTER IX. "He that hath nature in him, must be grateful; Tis the Creator's primary great law, That links the chain of beings to each other." AT Jaffa a new contention arose. The French barons, fatigued with marching and fruitless skirmishing, advoca-ted the policy of remaining a time in the city and rebuild-ing its fortifications ; while Piantagenet, anxious to press his advantage, was desirous of proceeding to Ascalon. The soldiers rememb.ering with regret the " loaves and fishes" of Acre, inclined to the counsel of the Duke of Bur-gundy, and Richard was forced to submit his better judg-ment to the unanimous voice of his followers. It was in vain that the king urged the soldiers to a rapid completion of the works. The summer faded into autumn, and the fortifications were still incomplete. The Moslems began to collect in the vicinity of Jaffa, and all parties of Christians, whether of foraging or falconry, were subject to frequent surprise and attack. On one occasion, a part}' of Templars fell into an ambuscade of the Turks, and Rich-ard, hearing of their danger, rushed out with a few troops to their assistance. The conflict was dreadful. Hordes of Infidels fell upon the little band, who, struggling in the midst of their foes, with great loss carved their way to the city. On their return, William Longsword remonstrated with the monarch for this useless exposure of life, to which the generous Cœur de Lion, changing color with indigna-tion, replied, " Richard Piantagenet knows not the pru-dence that weighs safety against glory, and for the rest it is the office of a king to defend his subjects, and the busi-ness of a crusader to destroy the enemies of the cross." The defences of Jaffa being complete, Richard prepared to prosecute the war with vigor. Leaving the city with a small garrison, he led his troops as far as Ramula, and BERENGARIA OP NAVARRE. 249