CHAP. XX. * A CHALLENGE IS SEMT BT THE SARACENS TO OFFER COMBAT OP TEN* AGAINST TEN CHRIS-TIANS.—THE SARACENS FAIL IN THEIR ENGAGEMENT. THE TOWN OF AFRICA IS STORMED, BUT UNSUCCESSFULLY*. AND WITH THE LOSS OF MANY WORTHY MEN. T^HE befiegcrs and their enemies ftudied day and night how they could moft effectually annoy each other. ' Agadinquor Oliferne, Madifer de Tunis, Belins Maldages and Brahadin de Bugia, and fome other Saracens, confulted together, and faid; 'Here are our enemies the Chriftians en-camped "before us, and we cannot defeat them. They are fo few in number when compared to us, that they muft be well advifed by their able captains ; for, in all our fkirmiihes, we have never been able to make one knight prifoner. If we could capture one or two of their leaders, wê fhould acquire fame, and learn from them the ftate of their army and what are their intentions. Let us now confide* how we may accomplifh this. * Agadinquor replied, € Though I am the youngeft, I wifh to fpeak firft. * « We agree to it,f faid the others. * By my faith, ' continued he, €I am very defirous of engaging them ; and I think, if 1 were -matched in equal combat with one ' of my fize, I fhould conquer him. If you will therefore feleâ ten valiant men, I will challenge the Chri£ x tian» 312