by lavish distribution of money, he set out at once upon the arrival of troops from Egypt for the subjection of those places which were under the control of the lords of Aleppo and Mosul, where lay the heart of the opposition. Emesa, Hamah and other cities surrendered without fighting, but when he reached Aleppo, where his nominal sovereign was staying with Gumishtikin, the gates were closed and the walls were manned with soldiers. Es-Saleh was only twelve, but he appears to have had a mind of his own and to have been self-possessed far beyond his years. Had he been allowed to develop under normal circumstances in a favorable environment his chances of holding his inheritance would have been quite different. Upon the approach of Saladin, who had evidently been made to appear to him as another were-wolf, the boy mounted his horse and riding into the public square of Aleppo appealed to the people for protection. " You know what was the kindness of my father towards you," he said, while the tears streamed down his cheeks. " I am your ward. And now comes this unjust man, who denies the favors my father did for him, to seize my city. He has no regard for the rights of God or man." A remarkably grown-up speech for a youngster, but it had the desired effect. First the people wept with him, then they took up their weapons and fought so well that Saladin decided the time was not ripe and went off for easier prey.