at his side and fitted the crown upon his head. A grand affair, of course, followed by appropriate feasts for all concerned and cheers from the multitude when royalty departed. Besides being the custom, it probably flattered the vanity of the new potentate and also served the practical purpose of impressing his people and advertising his glory. Saladin had no time for empty ceremonial just then, and did not even think of visiting Bagdad, but the Caliph sent his written sanction, together with the various appropriate articles. They reached Saladin at Hamah in the spring of 1175 and may have had some effect upon unsettled emirs. A year went by, with Saladin organizing the administration of his territories, and then Seif ed-din, Prince of Mosul, thought the time ripe for another test of arms. Again in alliance with the men of Aleppo, he advanced to meet the army of Saladin. Only good fortune, and the ineptitude of the leaders of the enemy saved the latter this time, for his men were dispersed watering their horses while he with a small escort had pushed forward to a place known as the Turcoman's Well. Had an attack been delivered immediately the chances were all in favor of the allies, but for some unexplained reason they delayed until the next day, when Saladin had his men disposed according to his plans. For a time the decision seemed to be against him. A dashing leader, the Lord of Arbela, known as Kukburi, who afterwards came over to Saladin and