f disaster and success. The Latin King had already
entered Cairo, when a large part of the force of Shiracouh was
overwhelmed by a terrific sandstorm. But the retreat of Shiracouh
across the Nile failed to reassure the Egyptians. Almeric received two
hundred thousand gold pieces for the continuance of his help, with the
promise that two hundred thousand more should be paid to him on the
complete destruction of their enemies; and the treaty was ratified in
the presence of the powerless sovereign, whose consent was never asked
for the alliances or treaties of the minister who was his master. The
remaining events of the campaign were a battle, in which a part of the
army of Almeric was defeated by Shiracouh and his nephew Saladin; the
surrender of Alexandria on the summons of Shiracouh; and the blockade
of that city by Almeric, who at length obtained from the Turk the
pledge that after an exchange of prisoners he would lead his forces
away from Egypt, on the condition that the road to Syria should be
left open to him.

The banners of Almeric and the Fatimite Caliph waved together on the
walls of Alexandria; but on either side the peace or truce was a mere
makeshift for the purpose of gaining time. Neither the Latin King nor
the Sultan of Aleppo had given up the thought of the conquest of
Egypt; and Almeric found a ready cause of quarrel in the plea that
since his own return to Palestine the Egyptians had entered into
communication with their enemy and his. The King of Jerusalem had
lately married the niece of the Greek Emperor, and the latter promised
to aid the expedition with his fleet. The help of the Knights
Hospitalers was easily obtained, while (some said, on this account)
that of the Knights Templars was refused. At length with a large and
powerful army Almeric left Jerusalem, pretending that his destination
was the Syrian town of Hems; but after a while his march was suddenly
turned. In ten days he reached Pelusium; and the storm and capture of
that city were followed by a wanton carnage which served to increase,
if anything could increase, the reputation of the Christians for
merciless cruelty. The prayers of the wazir Shawer for help were now
directed as earnestly to the Turkish Sultan as they had once been to
the Latin King of Jerusalem; but his envoys were also sent to Almeric
offering him a million pieces of gold, of which a tenth part was
produced on the spot.

Almeric took the bribe; and when his army look