would lead straight to the Holy Sepulchre. But it soon
became manifest that the feeling which had prompted the crusades was
dead forever. The news of the fall of Jerusalem had awakened a
momentary excitement in the western nations, but had failed to stir up
the old enthusiasm. On Syrian ground, the ideal faith rapidly gave way
before substantial worldly considerations. Richard, Guy, and the
Pisans, on the one hand; Philip, Conrad, and the Genoese, on the
other, were already in open discord, which was so embittered by
Richard's blustering fury that Philip Augustus embarked at the end of
July for France, declaring upon his oath that he had no evil
intentions toward England, but determined in his heart to let Richard
feel his resentment on the first opportunity.

Meanwhile negotiations had begun between Saladin and Richard, which at
first seemed to promise favorable results for the Christians, but
unfortunately the day fixed for the exchange of the prisoners arrived
before Saladin was able to procure the whole of the promised ransom.
Richard, with the most brutal cruelty, slaughtered two thousand seven
hundred prisoners in one day. Saladin magnanimously refused the
demands of his exasperated followers for reprisals, but of course
there could be no further question of a treaty, and the war
recommenced with renewed fury. Richard led the army on an expedition
against Ascalon, defeated Saladin on his march thither at Arsuf, and
advanced amid incessant skirmishes and single combats, into which he
recklessly plunged as though he had been a simple knight-errant.
Accordingly his progress was so slow that Saladin had destroyed the
town before his arrival and rendered its capture worthless to the
Christians. Again negotiations were begun, but in January, 1192,
Richard suddenly advanced upon Jerusalem, and by forced marches
quickly reached Baitnuba, a village only a few miles distant from the
Holy City. But there the Sultan had thrown up strong and extensive
fortifications, and after long and anxious deliberations, the Franks
returned toward Ascalon.

Meanwhile Conrad of Montferrat had placed himself in communication
with Saladin, proposed to him point-blank an alliance against Richard,
and by his prudent and consistent conduct daily grew in favor with the
Sultan. The Christian camp, on the other hand, was filled with
ever-increasing discord; and the difference between Richard and Conrad
reached such a height that the Marquis went