the walls, and were with difficulty prevented from entering the city. El Mashtub again sought Eichard's camp with offers of capitulation, and this time with better success. It was agreed that tbe lives and property of the defenders of Acre should be spared on condition of their paying two hundred thousand dinars, releasing five hundred captives, and giving up possession of the True Cross. Suddenly, therefore, much to the Sultan's surprise and annoyance, the Christian standards were seen flying from the walls of Acre. He immediately despatched Baha-eddin Caracosh to make the best arrangements possible, and promised to pay half the amount of the indemnity at once, and give hostages for the settlement of the remainder of the claim within a month. Hostilities were not suspended in the meantime, and the Franks having made several sallies from their new position at Acre, suffered severely from the Arab horsemen, who continually^ came down unexpectedly on them and cut off their retreat. In the beginning of August messengers came from the Christian camp to demand payment of the sum agreed upon. The first instalment of a hundred thousand dinars was given up to them, but Saladin refused to pay the rest, or to hand over the captives until he had received some guarantee that the Christians would perform their part of the contract, and allow the prisoners from Acre to go free. After numerous delays and disagreements everything appeared at last likely to be satisfactorily arranged ; the money was weighed out and placed before Saladino the captives were ready to be delivered up, and the "True Cross " was also displayed. Bichard was encamped close by the Merj 'Ayun, and had caused the Acre captives to be ranged behind him on the neighbouring hill side. Suddenly, at a signal from the king, the Christian soldiers turned upon the unhappy and helpless captives, and massacred them all in cold blood. Even at such a moment as this Saladin did not forget his humane