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part of the towers and walls, and destroyed the city as much as possible;
but on the approach of our army they fled. There the army pitched their
tents, and passed the night by the side of a river close to the city, called the
river of Crocodiles, because the crocodiles once devoured two soldiers
while bathing therein. The circuit of the city of C¾sarea is very great, and
the buildings are of wonderful workmanship. Our Saviour with his
disciples often visited it, and worked miracles there. It was here the king

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Itinerary
173
had charged his ships to meet the army. Meanwhile the king caused it to be
proclaimed by voice of herald in the city of Acre, that those who had
remained behind from slothfulness should embark on board the ships
which he had sent, and come to the army, for the love of God, and to
promote the success of the Christian cause, and to perform their vow of
pilgrimage more fully. In obedience to his mandate, many came to C¾sarea
with the fleet, which was amply laden with provisions; and be arranged
that the ships should advance from that place in attendance on the army. A
large number of ships here came together, and when the king had divided
the army into squadrons, they set out one day about nine oÕclock, at a slow
pace, on account of the Turks, who continually harassed them when they
left their stations, and, coming up to them as close as they dared, caused
them all the molestation and annoyance in their power. They troubled us
more than usual on this day, but by the help of God we escaped unhurt,
having cut off the head of one of their admirals, a man of the greatest
courage, and renowned for his valour: he was said to have such strength
that no one could throw him from his horse, or even dare to attack him;
and he carried a lance heavier than two of ours, to which he gave the name
of aias estog. The Turks were overcome with grief and lamentation at his
fall, so that they cut off their horsesÕ tails, and, had they been permitted,
would have carried off the corpse of their chief. After that the army arrived
at a river called the Dead River, which the Saracens had previously covered
over, in order that, not being seen, our men might endanger their lives by
falling into it; but by the providence of God they were preserved from
danger, and, the river having been uncovered, our men drank thereof, and
passed the night there.
Chapter XV. Ñ How on quitting the Dead River, our army, before they arrived at
the Salt River, were much harassed by the Turks, who slew many of our men, and
horses.
On the third day the army advanced slowly from the Dead River,
through a country of a most desolate character, and destitute of every
thing; for they were compelled to march through a mountainous country,

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Itinerary
174
because they were unable to go by the sea-side, which was choked up by
the luxuriant growth of the grass; and the army on its march kept itself in
closer companies than usual. The Templars on that day had charge of the
rear, and they lost so many horses by the attacks of the Turks that they
were almost reduced to despair. The count of St. Paul also lost many
horses; for he himself opposed the Turks with great valour, when they
attacked and made incursions against us; so that by his exertions the rest
got off in safety, and thus he earned the thanks and favour of the whole
army. On that day the king was wounded in the side by a dart while he
was driving the Turks; but this slight hurt only incited him to attack them
more vehemently; for the smarting of the wound made him more eager for
vengeance, and during the whole of the day he fought against them and
drove them back. The Turks, on the other hand, obstinately annoyed our
men, and, keeping by the side of our army, did them all the injury they
could, by throwing darts and arrows, which flew like hail. Alas! how many
horses fell transfixed with darts! how many died afterwards of the wounds
which they received! There was such a stream of darts and arrows, that you
could not find four feet of ground, where the army passed, free from them.
This terrible tempest continued all day, until at night-fall the Turks
returned to their tents and dwellings. Our people also stopped near what
was called the Salt River, and passed the night there: they arrived there on
the Tuesday after the festival of St. Giles, and tarried there two days. Here
there was a great throng on account of the horses who died from their
wounds; for the people were so eager to purchase the horse-flesh, that they
even had recourse to blows. The king, on hearing this, proclaimed by
herald that he would give a live horse to whoever would distribute his
dead one to the best men in his service who needed it; and thus they ate
horse-flesh as if it was venison, and they reckoned it most savoury, for
hunger served in the place of seasoning.
Chapter XVI. Ñ How our army marched from the Salt River, through the forest