416 JOINVILLE'S MEMOIRS OF SAINT LOUIS IX. [T . IL naturally possessed was that day doubled by tbe power of God, for he forced himself wherever be eaw his men in any distress, and gave such blows with battle-axe and sword, it was wonderful to behold. The lord de Conrtenay and Sir John de Salenay one day told me, that at this engagement six Turks caught hold of the bridle of the king's horse, and were leading him away ; but this virtuous prince exerted himself with such bravery in fighting the six Turks, that he alone freed himself from them ; and that many, seeing how valiantly he defended himself, and the great courage he displayed, took greater courage themselves, and abandoning the passage they were guarding, hastened to support the king. After some little time, the count Peter of Brittany came to us who were guarding the small bridge from Massoura, having had a most furious skirmish. He was so badly wounded in the face that the blood came out of his mouth, as if it had been full of water, and he vomited it forth. The count was mounted on a short, thick, but strong horse, and his reins and the pommel of his saddle were cut and destroyed, so that he was forced to hold himself by his two hands round the horse's neck for fear tbe Turks, who were close behind him, should make him fall off. He did not, however, seem much afraid of them, for he frequently turned round, and gave them many abusive words, by way of mockery. Towards the end of this battle, Sir John de Soissons and Sir Peter de Nouille, surnamed Cayer, came to us : they had suffered much from the blows they had received by remaining behind in the last battle. The Turks, seeing them, began to move to meet them, but observing us who were guarding the bridge, with our faces towards them, suffered them to pass, suspecting that we should have gone to their succour, as we certainly should have done. I addressed the count de Sois u sons, who was my cousin-german : Sir, I beg that you will remain here to guard this bridge. You will act right in so doing ; for, if you leave it, the Turks whom yon see before you will advance to attack us, and the king may thus have his enemies in front and rear at the same moment" He asked, if he should stay, would I remain with him ? to which I most cheerfully assented. The constable, hearing our conversation and agreement, told