the time when they were called upon to stand like a stone wall, to be overcome, if at all, only by overwhelming numbers ; or, at the ripe moment, to ride out from their human screen, an irresistible force, scattering the foe like chaff before a cyclone. The Saracens, wearing only light armor — or none at all — were far more mobile, and quicker in movement, so that often, taking advantage of favorable situations, they could inflict severe damage, but time and time again Saladin found the enemy as impenetrable as though they had been behind a stone wall. His common soldiers seemed almost weaponless, compared with their opponents, carrying only bows and arrows, clubs furnished with sharp teeth, swords, lances of reed with iron heads and loosely hung knives. Mounted on the swiftest of horses, they fled like the wind when routed, only to stop the moment the pursuit slackened, and turn back when least expected. " Like a pertinacious fly," wrote one chronicler, " which, though you may drive it off, will return directly you cease your efforts; which will keep its distance so long as you make it, but is ever ready to renew the attack, should you cease to be on the alert." So had it been this whole exhausting day, a swarm of pestiferous flies with the sting of death in their bite, hovering on the skirts of their prey, dashing in at opportune moments to deliver their assault and retreating as rapidly beyond reach of counter attack. The decision to rest for the night in the valley was fatal, though it may have been forced by the exhausted