Damietta, and to gire np the salted provision that was there, for neither Turk nor Saracen eat of it, and likewise the engines of war ; but the king was to send for all these things from Damietta. The end of this was, that the saltan demanded what security the king would give him for the surrender of Damietta ; and it was proposed that he should detain as prisoner one of the king's brothers, either the count de Poitiers, or the count d'Anjou, until it were effected. But the Turks refused to accept of any other hostage than the person of the king. To this the gallant knight, Sir Geofrry de Sergines, replied, that the Turks should never have the king's person ; and that he would rather they should all be slain than it should be said they had given their king in pawn ; and thus matters remained. The disorder I spoke of very soon increased so much in the army that the barbers were forced to cut away very large pieces of flesh from the gums, to enable their patients to eat. It was pitiful to hear the cries and groans of those on whom this operation was performing ; they seemed like to the cries of women in labour, and I cannot express the great concern all felt who heard them. The good king, St Louis, witnessing the miserable condition of great part of his army, raised his hands and eyes to heaven, blessing our Lord for all he had given him, and seeing that he could not longer remain where he was, without perishing himself as well as his army, gave orders to march on the Tuesday evening after the octave of Easter, and return to Damietta. He issued his commands to the masters of the galleys to have them ready to receive on board the sick, and convey them to Damietta. He likewise gave his orders to Josselin de Corvant, and to other engineers, to cut the cords which held the bridges between us and the Saracens ; but they neglected them, which was the cause of much evil befalling USL Perceiving that every one was preparing to go to Damietta, I withdrew to my vessel, with two of my knights, all that I had remaining of those that had accompanied me, and the rest of my household. Towards evening, when it began to grow dark, I ordered my captain to raise the anchor, that we might float down the stream ; but he replied, that he dared 2F2