six score of
Musteazem's chief men into his hands, than he ordered them to be
beheaded, and prepared for an attack. Nor, as he rightly anticipated,
was there much danger of an obstinate resistance. In fact, not only was
the city undefended by any regular force: it was divided against itself.
The citizens were formed into various sects, all at daggers drawn, and
much more earnest in their conflicts with each other than in resolution
to repulse assailants.

It was early morning when the inhabitants of Bagdad were aroused from
their slumbers with loud shouts of alarm, and cries that the Tartars
were upon them. Resistance was vain; and equally vain was any hope of
mercy. Having set up his machines of war, Oulagon gave the word of
command, and the Tartars rushed to the assault with all the ferocity of
their nature. Entering the city sword in hand, Oulagon gave it up to the
fury of his soldiers. Carnage, and all the horrors of war, followed; the
gutters ran with blood; and the caliph who, a few hours earlier, deemed
his person so sacred that he would not even consent to touch the hand of
a Frank, experienced such rough treatment that he shrunk and shuddered
and sickened.

Oulagon, however, was in no mood to respect the person of the head of
the Moslem religion. No allegiance did the grim Tartar owe to the heir
of Mahomet. Having seized Musteazem in his palace, Oulagon, after
severely reproaching him with meditating treachery, caused him to be
confined in an iron cage; and, after keeping him in durance for some
time, came to add insult to injury.

But, ere relating what passed, it is necessary to return to the
Christian ambassadors.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

IN THE LION'S MOUTH.

IT must be admitted that the position of the ambassadors was not
enviable; and, when the Templar hastily stated that the Tartars were
storming Bagdad, even Bisset's bold countenance fell, and his tongue
faltered.

'I will not hide,' said he, recovering himself, 'that our doom looks
dark; our heads are in the lion's mouth. But, as Christian warriors, we
must trust in God and the saints; and, as brave men, we must do what we
can to extricate ourselves.'

Without wasting more time in words, Bisset proceeded to buckle on his
chain mail, while Walter Espec also arrayed himself; and, while the
knight armed himself with his ponderous battle-axe, the squire
unsheathed his falchion; and both, resuming their wonted air of
dauntless courage, prepared,