POSITION OF THE TUBES. 333 excused, and was only induced to accept a commission by an exercise of authority on the part of the sultan Nûr-ed-din. El "Adhid met Shirkoh on bis arrival with every mark of respect and gratitude, and conferred upon him a magnificent robe of honour. The vizier Shawer was also a frequent visitor to thè Damascene general's tent ; and assured the latter that although appearances had been against him, be had not willingly broken faith with him, and promised that the former agreement to pay Nûr-ed-din a third of the revenue should now be complied with. At the same time he was plotting how he might best dispose of so troublesome a visitor; and, having determined upon his assassination, invited Shirkoh, his nephew, and the rest of his staff, to a banquet, at which he hoped to execute his treacherous project. Saladin, however, received intelligence of the conspiracy, and prevented his uncle from accepting the fatal invitation. Shawer, furious at being thus foiled sought the tent of Shirkoh, under pretence of a friendly visit, and would doubtless have murdered him had he not fortunately been at that moment on a visit to the tomb of the celebrated Mohammedan saint Es Shafiï.* Returning from his fruitless visit, Shawer was met by Saladin and his party, who threw him from his horse, and carried him to. Shirkoh?s camp. Er'Adhid, on hearing the news, sent to demand the head of his treacherous vizier, whom he justly regarded as the cause of all the troubles that had recently fallen upon Egypt. Shirkoh gladly acceded to the request, and was installed by the Fatimite caliph into the vacant post of prime minister, and received the honorary title of El Melik el Mansur, "the Victorious King." and Emir el Jayush, " Commander-in-chief of the Forces." He did not, * On page 204 we gave William of Tyre's version of this event ; the Mohammedan authors from which the foregoing account is taken regard it in a somewhat different light.