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Itinerary
280
which they had just left. Thus they passed the night, near a certain
mountain, in a state of great alarm.
Chapter XXXII. Ñ How the Turks wished to take vengeance on our pilgrims, but
Saladin and his chiefs would not allow it.
The next day certain of the Turks appeared before Saladin, and
earnestly entreated of him that they might be allowed to take vengeance on
the Christians who were now in their power, for the death of their friends,
fathers, brothers, sons, and relations who had been slain, first at Acre, and
afterwards at other places, now, as they said, that they had so good an
opportunity. Saladin sent for the Turkish chiefs to consult about this
request, and Mestoc, Saphadin, Bedridin, and Dorderin were speedily in
attendance. When the subject was placed before them, it was their
unanimous opinion that the Christians should have leave to come and go,
without injury or hinderance. ÒFor,Ó said they to Saladin, Òit would be a
deep stain upon our honour, if the treaty which has been made between
you and the king of England should, by our interference, be broken, and
the faith of the Turks for ever afterwards be called in question.Ó In
consequence of these observations, Saladin gave orders immediately that
the Christians should be taken care of, and escorted to the city and back
again without molestation. To discharge this commission, Saphadin was at
his own request deputed; and under his protection the pilgrims had free
access to the Holy Sepulchre, and were treated with the greatest liberality,
after which they returned joyfully to Acre.
Chapter XXXIII. Ñ Of the second company of pilgrims who went to Jerusalem,
escorted by Ralph Teissun.
On their return, the second company of pilgrims stationed between
the castle of Arnald and Ramula, set forth, led by Ralph Teissun. Now
Saladin, as we have before stated, had posted his men to keep diligent
guard over the roads whenever any of the pilgrims were on their way to
Jerusalem. In consequence of this precaution, we travelled freely and

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Itinerary
281
unmolested, and crossing the hill country, arrived at the Mountain of
Delight, where, seeing in the distance the city of Jerusalem, we knelt down
and gave humble thanks to God, as is the custom of pilgrims. From the
same spot we saw also Mount Olivet; after which all advanced with joy,
and those who had horses rode forward with speed, that they might the
sooner gratify their desire of saluting the Holy Sepulchre. Moreover, as
those horsemen who had gone before told us, Saladin allowed them to see
and kiss the true Cross of our Lord, which formerly had been carried to
battle. But we who were on foot, and came in the last, saw what we could,
viz.: in the first place we saw our LordÕs monument, where oblations were
made: but, as the Saracens took these away, we did not offer much, but
gave part to the French and Syrian slaves, whom we there saw in servitude,
labouring in the duties assigned to them. From thence we proceeded to
Mount Calvary, where our Lord was crucified, and where there was a
stone in which our LordÕs cross had been fixed in Golgotha. When we had
kissed this with reverence, we proceeded to the church built on Mount
Sion, on the left side of which was the place from which Mary, the Holy
mother of God, passed from this world to the Father. This spot we saluted
with tears running down our cheeks, and then hastened to see the holy
table at which Christ condescended to eat bread. This also we kissed
fervently, and then we all departed together, in haste; for it was no longer
safe for us to go anywhere, except in a body, on account of the treachery of
the unbelievers, for the Turks had secretly strangled three or four of our
men who had strayed into the passages of the crypts. From thence we
hastened to the sepulchre of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God, in the
middle of the valley of Jehoshaphat, near Siloe, and kissed it with devout
and contrite hearts. After which, with minds not altogether free from
apprehension, we entered the vaulted chamber in which our Lord and
Redeemer was kept prisoner during the night, to be crucified the next
morning. This we saluted devoutly, whilst the tears ran down our cheeks,
and then took our leave in haste, and the Turks also spurned us from them
not a little, and we grieved for the pollutions with which the holy places
were defiled by the horses of the unbelievers who used them for stables.
We now took leave of Jerusalem aud returned to Acre.

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