from his depredations, for he seldom returned empty handed from a raid. It was in this same year, 1182, that the Frank occupants of Kerek and Shobek determined to make an expedition against Medinah itself, and thus to attack the Mohammedans in the very birthplace and stronghold of their faith. They had even sworn that they would dig up the body of the Prophet, and carry it off to their own country, in order to put a stop to pilgrimages once and for all. That this was no idle threat was clear from the fact that the Prince Eenaud of Kerek had caused ships to be constructed and carried over land to the Eed Sea, and that troops had been transported in these vessels, and were actually on their way to Medinah. -· Saladin was at Hauran when the news of the intended invasion reached him. He was furious at the insult offered to his religion, and sent orders to his lieutenant in Egypt to despatch the Emir Hisam-ed-din Lulu in pursuit of the enemy. The Franks, rather more than three hundred in number, besides a body of rebellious Bedawin which had joined their ranks, had advanced within a day's march of Medinah when Lulu caught them up. Despairing of being able to resist the Egyptian troops, who were superior to themselves both in numbers and discipline, they sought refuge upon a mountain difficult of access, while the Bedawin, with their usual discretion in cases of danger, took to their heels. Lulu, however, followed them to the heights, captured, and sent them in chains to Cairo. They were given over for execution " to the dervishes, lawyers, and religious persons," who put them all to a cruel death, reserving only two of the most conspicuous members of the band, " who were sent to Mecca to have their throats cut, like the beasts who are sacrificed before the Ka'abah." In 1183 Saladin obtained possession of Hums, Amed, 'Aintab, and other places.' He next besieged Aleppo,