But if his armies were more than once routed
with great slaughter, his numbers gave the Saracen the advantage
in those lighter skirmishes, of which many were inevitable.
As the army of his assailants decreased, the enterprises of the
Sultan became more numerous and more bold in this species of
petty warfare. The camp of the Crusaders was surrounded, and
almost besieged, by clouds of light cavalry, resembling swarms of
wasps, easily crushed when they are once grasped, but furnished
with wings to elude superior strength, and stings to inflict harm
and mischief. There was perpetual warfare of posts and foragers,
in which many valuable lives were lost, without any corresponding
object being gained; convoys were intercepted, and communications
were cut off. The Crusaders had to purchase the means of
sustaining life, by life itself; and water, like that of the well
of Bethlehem, longed for by King David, one of its ancient
monarchs, was then, as before, only obtained by the expenditure
of blood.
These evils were in a great measure counterbalanced by the stern
resolution and restless activity of King Richard, who, with some
of his best knights, was ever on horseback, ready to repair to
any point where danger occurred, and often not only bringing
unexpected succour to the Christians, but discomfiting the
infidels when they seemed most secure of victory.
Pages:
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160