divided councils the decision was finally left to a council of five Frenchmen, five Hospitallers, five Templars and five Syrian nobles. That decision was to go to Egypt, and the next day the Moslems watching from the towers of Jerusalem saw the enemy hosts on their way back to Ramleh. Both sides were now sufficiently weary of the war to be ready to come to agreement, even though the Sultan had not changed his views as to the danger of peace with so uncertain an enemy, but the dickering had to go on for some time yet. Henry of Champagne had succeeded to the throne made vacant by the death of the Marquess of Montferrat, and it was from Henry that the next ambassador came to the Sultan. He brought demands so absurd the Sultan could hardly refrain from venting his anger on him. Then came an ingratiating note from Richard, asking indulgence for the King, and indicating a strong wish for a friendly solution of the differences between them. Again the Sultan replied with his wonted courtesy, and once more messengers went to and fro, with the indications of agreement improving, but this time they foundered upon the stones of Ascalon. Richard was unwilling to see these, which he and his knights had rebuilt partly with their own hands, demolished again, and Saladin knew too well the danger of leaving this fortified city in enemy hands to consent to its remaining intact. With negotiations broken again each side was on the alert for a new opportunity to take the offensive.