be at the service of the Sultan. Of course, the bait was not accepted. The Sultan would grant the possession of Jaffa but not of Ascalon. Back came the King's envoy to say if the Sultan would only concede Ascalon peace could be made in six days and the King would not have to spend another winter in Syria. To which Saladin replied that in any case Richard would have to remain for, with his departure, all he had conquered would be retaken. " If he can manage to spend the winter here," the message continued, "far from his people and two months' journey from his native land, whilst he is still in the vigor of his youth and at an age that is usually devoted to pleasure, how much easier it is for me to remain here not only during the winter, but during the summer also? I am in the heart of my own country, surrounded by my household and my children, and able to get all I want. Moreover, I am an old man now, I have no longer any desire for the pleasures of this world. I have had my fill of them and have renounced them forever. The soldiers who serve me in the winter are succeeded by others in the summer. And, above all, I believe that I am furthering God's cause in acting as I do. I will not cease therefrom until God grants victory to whom He will." It was a few days later that the Sultan surprised Richard with a small force of men outside Jaffa. The infantry was under a thousand, the knights barely a dozen. But Richard was there and the inspiration of his presence made up for numbers. Perhaps, of even