286 SALADIN: PRINCE or CHIVALRY after invited el-Adel to his quarters. The chefs of the two were in rivalry that day, for the King had provided a repast consisting of dishes peculiar to his country which he thought would appeal to el-AdeFs palate. It appears to have taken- all day for them to discuss each other's cuisine and make the appropriate comments, but they found time in between to refer to the unfortunate state of war, with the result that Humphrey of Toron again came to the Sultan with an embassy and a message from Richard.661 like your sincerity and desire your friendship," wrote the King, and went on to say he believed a satisfactory arrangement could be arrived at, which would acquit el-Adel of all blame from the Moslems, and bring no reproach to him from the Franks. Only the latter must have part of Jerusalem. Saladin assented readily, but when the deputation had gone, he let the Cadi see that for once he had not been sincere. In fact, pretending to have overlooked the subject, he sent after Humphrey to raise the question of the status of the prisoners under these terms, his only purpose being to prevent a peace from being consummated. Evidently,.his depression no longer ruled him, and he foresaw danger in any arrangement with the enemy. " If we make peace with these people there is nothing to protect us against their treachery," he said. " If I were to die it might be difficult to get an army together such as this, and meanwhile the enemy would have waxed strong. The best thing to do is to perse