strong to be taken in a short siege, so he went on to Damascus, which he left after a few days to go to Jibeil, which was threatened by the Franks. This relieved, he proceeded to survey the surrounding country and, according to one report—from the enemy side—he laid siege to Tripoli. This city had however been well reinforced both by William of Sicily and by the Marquess of Montferrat, so that it was impossible to take it. Here the Green Knight turned up again and this time the Sultan was moved to know him better. A messenger was sent into the enemy camp bearing an invitation to an interview, and assuring safe conduct. Evidently the Knight was likewise a person of courteous disposition, for he came forthwith to the tent of the Sultan, where he was received with high honor, Saladin presenting him with fine horses and beautiful jewels as a mark of his admiration, and they conversed freely. Whether Saladin really thought he might convert his visitor, or merely designed his ballon d? essai as the instrument of frank interchange of thought, he invited him to remain with him, promising him a large grant of land and a place of distinction and power, but the knight, true to all that could be expected of such a gallant hero, declined both the presents and the invitation, saying frankly he had not come to the Holy Land to become a Moslem, but to fight and confound the Moslems, and that he meant to injure them as much as he could. Despite this belligerent talk it seems that the interview ended pleasantly, and that they parted with mutual