The Saracen emir returned to Acre highly indignant at this discourteous treatment, and swore that the fall of the city should cost the victors dear. When El Mashtub made known the ill success of his errand many of the chief men and emirs of Acre deserted the city, to the great chagrin of the Sultan, who condemned them to forfeiture of their estates, and other pains and penalties. This severity, and the charge of cowardice, induced some to return and take part once more in the defence of the town. On the 4th of July a great battle took place, and lasted until the morning of the 5th, but without any decided advantage on either side. Evening again came and found them in the same position ; the city surrounded by the enemy, and the enemy surrounded by Saladin's army. But on Saturday the Gth, the Prince of Sidon sallied forth from the trenches, with about forty knights, and rode into the Sultan's camp carrying a flag of truce. Saladin sent Najib-ed-din, one of his confidential officers, to arrange with him the terms on which the city should be capitulated. At first the Franks refused to listen to any other terms than the complete surrender of all the Christian possessions in Syria and Palestine, and the release of all the captives. It was then proposed that Acre should be ceded to the Christians, that its garrison and inhabitants should be allowed to leave unmolested, and thai an exchange of prisoners should be made, one Christian being released by the Muslims for every one of their own men given up by the Christians. These terms were also refused, and Saladin's magnificent offer to throw the " True Cross " into the bargain could not induce them to agree. Perhaps the relic had fallen into disfavour after its failure at Tiberias, or it might be that the Crusaders were beginning to rely more upon their own military prowess than upon the childish superstitions of the fetish-worshipping monks. On the 22nd of July the Christians effected a breach in