restoration of the true cross. The Saracen undertook the commission, and after three days returned with the answer. With the stateliness of eastern formality the Mussulman declared his strong desire of peace, and his admiration of the courage and abilities of Plantagenet ; but he asserted that he could never resign Jerusalem, since the sacred city was as dear to the Moslem as the Christian world, and that the principles of his religion forbade his conniving at idolatry by permitting the worship of a piece of wood. Thwarted in this negotiation, Pi chard again employed Mes-toc to propose a consolidation of the Christian and Moham-medan interests by the establishment of a government at Je-rusalem, partly European and partly Asiatic, which should secure to the pilgrims free access to the Holy Sepulchre, and feudal rights to all Christians who should choose to settle in Palestine. Mestoc returned from this embassy accompa-nied by a young Emir named Saphadin, a brother of the Turkish emperor. The overture of Cœur de Lion had been favorably received by the sagacious Saladin, but foreseeing that a stronger bond than a political alliance would be ne-cessary to bind the two nations together, he had added to the articles the proposition of a union between his brother and the fair sister of Melech Eic. Saphadin was also commissioned to conduct the English king and his followers in safety to Acre. CHAPTER X. " A pen—to register ; a key,— That winds through secret wards; Are well assigned to Memory, By allegoric bards. WHEN Eichard arrived at Acre, he found affairs in the greatest confusion. The dissensions between the rival par-ties had terminated in open hostilities, more pressing mes-sages urging his return had arrived from England, and he HEROINES OF THE CRUSADES.