the attack of the Turks,
and directed his forces against their camp. He assembled the elite
of his troops, crossed the river, and overcame with ease all the
obstacles which opposed his progress. In an instant the camp of the
Christians was invaded and filled with a multitude of barbarians.
The Turks massacred without distinction all who presented
themselves to their blows; except the women whom youth and beauty
rendered fit for their seraglios. If we may credit Albert d'Aix,
the wives and daughters of the knights preferred in that extremity
slavery to death; for they were seen in the midst of the tumult to
adorn themselves with their most elegant dresses, and, arrayed in
this manner, sought by the display of their charms to soften the
hearts of their merciless enemies.

"Bohemond, however, soon arrived to the succour of the camp, and
obliged the Sultan to retrace his steps to his own army. Then the
combat recommenced on the banks of the river with more fury than
ever. The Duke Robert of Normandy, who had remained with some of
his knights on the field of battle, snatched from his
standard-bearer his pennon of white, bordered with gold, and
exclaiming, '_A moi, la Normandie!_' penetrated the ranks of the
enemy, striking down with his sword whatever opposed him, till he
laid dead at his feet one of the principal emirs. Tancred, Richard,
the Prince of Salerno, Stephen count of Blois, and other chiefs,
followed his example, and emulated his valour. Bohemond, returning
from the camp, which he had delivered from its oppressors,
encountered a troop of fugitives. Instantly advancing among them,
he exclaimed, 'Whither fly you, O Christian soldiers?--Do you not
see that the enemies' horses, swifter than your own, will not fail
soon to reach you? Follow me--I will show you a surer mode of
safety than flight.' With these words he threw himself followed by
his own men and the rallied fugitives, into the midst of the
Saracens, and striking down all who attempted to resist them, made
a frightful carnage. In the midst of the tumult, the women who had
been taken and delivered from the lands of the Mussulmans, burning
to avenge their outraged modesty, went through the ranks carrying
refreshments to the soldiers, and exhorting them to redouble their
efforts to s