A.D. 1219.] ATTACK OF TI1K INFIDELS. 417 nil quarters, anl especially the bridge of the templars and the duke, of Austria, which the latter, in conjunction with the Germans, bravely defended; the Saracen knights witli their picked troops dismounted from their horses and fought desperately with the Christians. Numbers lay dead and wounded in all directions, but the infidels at length gained ground so much that they gained the bridge and burnt a part of it. The duke of Austria thenordered his followers to retreat from the bridgeand allow the enemy to cross it, which they did not however dare to do ; the women all this time intrepidly supplied the Christian soldiers with water, wine, bread, and missiles ; the priests, too, assisted with their prayers, blessing God and binding up the wounds of the wounded. On that holy day the Christians were not allowed an opportunity of carrying any other palms than cross-bows, bows, lances, swords, shields, and arrows; for their enemies, in their desire to free the city from its besiegers, kept up their attacks so incessantly, that, from sunrise till the tenth hour of the (lay, they allowed the crusaders no rest ; but, being at length wearied themselves they retreated from the place of battle with great loss. Again on Ascension day the infidels in their usual way attacked the Christians by land and water, and after repeated assaults they could not gain their ends, but insulting them near their camp each party did much injury to the other. Of the third fierce attack made by the infidels on the Christians. After this the enemies of the faith on the 31st of July collected all the forces which they could muster, and, after protracted assaults, crossed the trench notwithstanding the troops of the templars, and, forcing their lines, put the Christian infantry to flight, so that the whole army was in imminent danger. The knights, with the secular horse and loot soldiers three times endeavoured to repel them, but without effect; the insulting Saracens then raised a shout, and the alarm of the Christians increased. Hut the spirit of wisdom and bravery inspired the templars, for their grand master, with the marshal and others of the brotherhood, made a sally through the narrow opening, and by their bravery put the enemy to flight. The Germans and Kricxlnndrrs, counts and barons, and knights of various nations, seeing the soldiers of the 'l'empie in danger, burst through the places Vol.. 11. F. Κ