was defeated and slain;
and Cairo became the scene of joy and rejoicing. Fear vanished from
every face; and the Saracens gratefully extolled the courage of the
Mamelukes, and of their chief, Bibars Bendocdar.

At the same time, an arrival of great importance took place at
Mansourah. While the battle was raging on the plain, Touran Chah, the
new sultan, reached the city, and was received with acclamations by the
populace. The emirs, however, regarded the sultan with some suspicion.
Unfortunately, Touran Chah did not come alone; and the jealousy of the
emirs was aroused by the presence of the favourites who accompanied him
from Mesopotamia. If the heir of Saladin could have foreseen what a
price he was to pay for the happiness of having his favourites with him,
he would doubtless have been discreet enough to leave them behind.

But, in the meantime, it was necessary for the safety and interests both
of the sultan and the emirs, that the Crusaders should be destroyed; and
Bibars Bendocdar was bent on pursuing his success. In the first place,
he made several attempts to recapture the engines of war, and the French
were repeatedly roused to defend them at the point of the sword. But
these attacks led to a feeling of insecurity, and King Louis deemed it
prudent to construct a bridge of wood over the Achmoun, so as to have
the means of communicating readily with the Duke of Burgundy's camp. Who
at that time could have imagined the mischief of which this bridge was
subsequently to be the cause?

Meanwhile Bibars Bendocdar was doing his best to inflame the enthusiasm
of the Mamelukes and soldiers. Nor, with that object, was he above
practising a little deception. A cuirass covered with fleur-de-lis was
publicly exhibited, and declared to be that of the French king. Heralds
proclaimed that the Christian army, deprived of its chief, was like a
trunk without a head; and the enthusiasm of the Saracens reached a high
pitch. At length, the soldiers began to clamour to be led against the
enemy, and Bibars Bendocdar fixed Friday, the 11th of February, as the
day on which he would lead them to triumph.

It was the first Friday in Lent; and King Louis, having received warning
that an attack was meditated, gave orders for fortifying the camp, and
preparing for a conflict. At daybreak, accordingly, the Crusaders were
under arms; and, in good time, Bibars Bendocdar appeared on the plain,
setting his men in battle order. Placing his caval