Theysoonformedadeepandconfusedmassofdismountedcavalryinfrontoftheirencampment，when，atthesignalofashrillcry，whicharosehighovertheclangourofthemusic，eachcavaliersprungtohissaddle。Acloudofdust，arisingatthemomentofthismanuvre，hidfromRichardandhisattendantsthecamp，thepalm-trees，andthedistantridgeofmountains，aswellasthetroopswhosesuddenmovementhadraisedthecloud，andascendinghighovertheirheads，formeditselfintothefantasticformsofwrithedpillars，domes，andminarets。Anothershrillyellwasheardfromthebosomofthiscloudytabernacle。
Itwasthesignalforthecavalrytoadvance，whichtheydidatfullgallop，disposingthemselvesastheycameforward，soastocomeinatonceonthefront，flanks，andrear，ofRichard’slittlebodyguard，whowerethussurroundedandalmostchokedbythedensecloudsofdustenvelopingthemoneachside，throughwhichwereseenalternately，andlost，thegrimformsandwildfacesoftheSaracens，brandishingandtossingtheirlancesineverypossibledirection，withthewildestcriesandhalloos，andfrequentlyonlyreininguptheirhorseswhenwithinaspear’slengthoftheChristians，whilethoseinthereardischargedovertheheadsofbothpartiesthickvolleysofarrows。OneofthesestruckthelitterinwhichtheQueenwasseated，wholoudlyscreamed，andtheredspotwasonRichard’sbrowinaninstant。
Ha！SaintGeorge，’’heexclaimed，wemusttakesomeorderwiththisinfidelscum！’’
ButEdith，whoselitterwasnear，thrustherheadout，andwithherhandholdingoneoftheshafts，exclaimed，RoyalRichard，bewarewhatyoudo！see，thesearrowsareheadless？’’
Noble，sensiblewench！’’exclaimedRichard；byHeaven，thoushamestusallbythyreadinessofthoughtandeye-Benotmoved，myEnglishhearts，’’heexclaimedtohisfollowers-
theirarrowshavenoheads-andtheirspears，too，lackthesteelpoints。Itisbutawildwelcome，aftertheirsavagefashion，thoughdoubtlesstheywouldrejoicetoseeusdauntedordisturbed。Moveonward，slowandsteady。’’
Thelittlephalanxmovedforwardaccordingly，accompaniedonallsidesbytheArabs，withtheshrillestandmostpiercingcries，thebowmen，meanwhile，displayingtheiragilitybyshootingasnearthecrestsoftheChristiansaswaspossible，withoutactuallyhittingthem，whilethelancerschargedeachotherwithsuchrudeblowsoftheirbluntweapons，thatmorethanoneofthemlosthissaddle，andwell-nighhislife，inthisroughsport。
Allthis，thoughdesignedtoexpresswelcome，hadratheradoubtfulappearanceintheeyesoftheEuropeans。
Astheyhadadvancednearlyhalf-waytowardsthecamp，KingRichardandhissuiteforming，asitwere，thenucleusroundwhichthistumultuarybodyofhorsemenhowled，whooped，skirmished，andgalloped，creatingasceneofindescribableconfusion，anothershrillcrywasheard，onwhichalltheseirregulars，whowereonthefrontandupontheflanksofthelittlebodyofEuropeans，wheeledoff，andformingthemselvesintoalonganddeepcolumn，followedwithcomparativeorderandsilenceintherearofRichard’stroop。Thedustbegannowtodissipateintheirfront，whenthereadvancedtomeetthem，throughthatcloudyveil，abodyofcavalryofadifferentandmoreregulardescription，completelyarmedwithoffensiveanddefensiveweapons，andwhomightwellhaveservedasabody-guardtotheproudestofEasternmonarchs。Thissplendidtroopconsistedoffivehundredmen，andeachhorsewhichitcontainedwasworthanearl’sransom。TheriderswereGeorgianandCircassianslavesintheveryprimeoflife；theirhelmetsandhauberkswereformedofsteelrings，sobrightthattheyshonelikesilver；theirvestureswereofthegayestcolours，andsomeofclothofgoldorsilver；thesashesweretwistedwithsilkandgold，theirrichturbanswereplumedandjewelled，andtheirsabresandponiards，ofDamascenesteel，wereadornedwithgoldandgemsonhiltandscabbard。
Thissplendidarrayadvancedtothesoundofmilitarymusic，andwhentheymettheChristianbody，theyopenedtheirfilestotherightandleft，andletthementerbetweentheirranks。
Richardnowassumedtheforemostplaceinhistroop，awarethatSaladinhimselfwasapproaching。Norwasitlongwhen，inthecentreofhisbody-guard，surroundedbyhisdomesticofficers，andthosehideousnegroeswhoguardtheEasternharem，andwhosemisshapenformswererenderedyetmorefrightfulbytherichnessoftheirattire，cametheSoldan，withthelookandmannersofoneonwhosebrowNaturehadwritten，ThisisaKing！Inhissnow-whiteturban，vest，andwideEasterntrousers，wearingasashofscarletsilk，withoutanyotherornament，Saladinmighthaveseemedtheplainestdressedmaninhisownguard。Butcloserinspectiondiscernedinhisturbanthatinestimablegem，whichwascalledbythepoetstheSeaofLight；
thediamondonwhichhissignetwasengraved，andwhichheworeinaring，wasprobablyworthallthejewelsoftheEnglishcrown，andasapphire，whichterminatedthehiltofhiscanjiar，wasofnotmuchinferiorvalue。Itshouldbeadded，thattoprotecthimfromthedust，which，inthevicinityoftheDeadSea，resemblesthefinestashes，or，perhaps，outofOrientalpride，theSoldanworeasortofveilattachedtohisturban，whichpartlyobscuredtheviewofhisnoblefeatures。Herodeamilk-whiteArabian，whichborehimasifconsciousandproudofhisnobleburden。
Therewasnoneedoffartherintroduction。Thetwoheroicmonarchs，forsuchtheybothwere，threwthemselvesatoncefromhorseback，andthetroopshaltingandthemusicsuddenlyceasing，theyadvancedtomeeteachotherinprofoundsilence，and，afteracourteousinclinationoneitherside，theyembracedasbrethrenandequals。Thepompanddisplayuponbothsidesattractednofarthernotice-noonesawaughtsaveRichardandSaladin，andtheytoobeheldnothingbuteachother。ThelookswithwhichRichardsurveyedSaladin，were，however，moreintentlycuriousthanthosewhichtheSoldanfixeduponhim；andtheSoldanalsowasthefirsttobreaksilence。
TheMelechRiciswelcometoSaladinaswatertothisdesert。
Itrusthehathnodistrustofthisnumerousarray。Exceptingthearmedslavesofmyhousehold，thosewhosurroundyouwitheyesofwonderandofwelcome，are，eventhehumblestofthem，theprivilegednoblesofmythousandtribes；forwhothatcouldclaimatitletobepresent，wouldremainathomewhensuchaPrincewastobeseenasRichard，withtheterrorsofwhosename，evenonthesandsofYemen，thenursestillsherchild，andthefreeArabsubdueshisrestivesteed！’’
AndtheseareallnoblesofAraby？’’saidRichard，lookingaroundonwildformswiththeirpersonscoveredwithhaicks，theircountenancesswartwiththesunbeams，theirteethaswhiteasivory，theirblackeyesglancingwithfierceandpreternaturallustrefromundertheshadeoftheirturbans，andtheirdressbeingingeneralsimple，eventomeanness。
Theyclaimsuchrank，’’saidSaladin；butthoughnumerous，theyarewithintheconditionsofthetreaty，andbearnoarmsbutthesabre-eventheironoftheirlancesisleftbehind。’’
Ifear，’’mutteredDeVauxinEnglish，theyhaveleftthemwheretheycanbesoonfound-AmostflourishingHouseofPeers，Iconfess，andwouldfindWestminsterHallsomethingtoonarrowforthem。’’
Hush，DeVaux，’’saidRichard，Icommandthee-NobleSaladin，’’hesaid，suspicionandthoucannotexistonthesameground-Seestthou，’’pointingtothelitters-Itoohavebroughtsomechampionswithme，thougharmed，perhaps，inbreachofagreement，forbrighteyesandfairfeaturesareweaponswhichcannotbeleftbehind。’’
TheSoldan，turningtothelitters，madeanobeisanceaslowlyasiflookingtowardsMecca，andkissedthesandintokenofrespect。
Nay，’’saidRichard，-theywillnotfearacloserencounter，brother；wiltthounotridetowardstheirlitters，andthecurtainswillbepresentlywithdrawn？’’
ThatmayAllahprohibit！’’saidSaladin，sincenotanArablooksonwhowouldnotthinkitshametothenobleladiestobeseenwiththeirfacesuncovered。’’
Thoushaltseethem，then，inprivate，brother，’’answeredRichard。
Towhatpurpose？’’answeredSaladin，mournfully。Thylastletterwas，tothehopeswhichIhadentertained，likewatertofire；andwhereforeshouldIagainlightaflame，whichmayindeedconsume，butcannotcheerme？-Butwillnotmybrotherpasstothetentwhichhisservanthathpreparedforhim？MyprincipalblackslavehathtakenorderforthereceptionofthePrincesses-theofficersofmyhouseholdwillattendyourfollowers，andourselfwillbethechamberlainoftheroyalRichard。’’
Heledthewayaccordinglytoasplendidpavilion，wherewaseverythingthatroyalluxurycoulddevise。DeVaux，whowasinattendance，thenremovedthechappe_capa_，orlongriding-cloakwhichRichardwore，andhestoodbeforeSaladinintheclosedresswhichshowedtoadvantagethestrengthandsymmetryofhisperson，whileitboreastrongcontrasttotheflowingrobeswhichdisguisedthethinframeoftheEasternmonarch。ItwasRichard’stwo-handedswordthatchieflyattractedtheattentionoftheSaracen，abroadstraightblade，theseeminglyunwieldylengthofwhichextendedwell-nighfromtheshouldertotheheelofthewearer。
HadInot，’’saidSaladin，seenthisbrandflaminginthefrontofbattle，likethatofAzrael，Ihadscarcebelievedthathumanarmcouldwieldit。MightIrequesttoseetheMelechRicstrikeoneblowwithitinpeace，andinpuretrialofstrength？’’
Willingly，nobleSaladin，’’answeredRichard；andlookingaroundforsomethingwhereontoexercisehisstrength，hesawasteelmace，heldbyoneoftheattendants，thehandlebeingofthesamemetal，andaboutaninchandahalfindiameter-thisheplacedonablockofwood。
TheanxietyofDeVauxforhismaster’shonourledhimtowhisperinEnglish-FortheblessedVirgin’ssake，bewarewhatyouattempt，myliege！Yourfullstrengthisnotasyetreturned-givenotriumphtotheinfidel。’’
Peace，fool！’’saidRichard，standingfirmonhisground，andcastingafierceglancearound-thinkestthouthatIcanfailin_his_presence？’’
Theglitteringbroadsword，wieldedbybothhishands，rosealofttotheKing’sleftshoulder，circledroundhishead，descendedwiththeswayofsometerrificengine，andthebarofironrolledonthegroundintwopieces，asawoodsmanwouldseverasaplingwithahedging-bill。
BytheheadoftheProphet，amostwonderfulblow！’’saidtheSoldan，criticallyandaccuratelyexaminingtheironbarwhichhadbeencutasunder；andthebladeoftheswordwassowelltemperedastoexhibitnottheleasttokenofhavingsufferedbythefeatithadperformed。HethentooktheKing’shand，andlookingonthesizeandmuscularstrengthwhichitexhibited，laughedasheplaceditbesidehisown，solankandthin，soinferiorinbrawnandsinew。
Ay，lookwell，’’saidDeVaux，inEnglish；itwillbelongereyourlongjackanape’sfingersdosuchafeatwithyourfinegildedreaping-hookthere。’’
Silence，DeVaux，’’saidRichard；byOurLady，heunderstandsorguessesthymeaning，-benotsobroad，Ipraythee。’’
TheSoldan，indeed，presentlysaid-SomethingIwouldfainattempt-though，whereforeshouldtheweakshowtheirinferiorityinpresenceofthestrong？Yet，eachlandhathitsownexercises，andthismaybenewtotheMelechRic。’’-Sosaying，hetookfromtheflooracushionofsilkanddown，andplacedituprightononeend-Canthyweapon，mybrother，severthatcushion？’’hesaidtoKingRichard。
No，surely，’’repliedtheKing；noswordonearth，wereittheExcalibarofKingArthur，cancutthatwhichopposesnosteadyresistancetotheblow。’’
Mark，then，’’saidSaladin；andtuckingupthesleeveofhisgown，showedhisarm，thinindeedandspare，butwhichconstantexercisehadhardenedintoamassconsistingofnoughtbutbone，brawn，andsinew。Heunsheathedhisscimitar，acurvedandnarrowblade，whichglitterednotliketheswordsoftheFranks，butwas，onthecontrary，ofadullbluecolour，markedwithtenmillionsofmeanderinglines，whichshowedhowanxiouslythemetalhadbeenweldedbythearmourer。Wieldingthisweapon，apparentlysoinefficientwhencomparedtothatofRichard，theSoldanstoodrestinghisweightuponhisleftfoot，whichwasslightlyadvanced；hebalancedhimselfalittleasiftosteadyhisaim，thensteppingatonceforward，drewthescimitaracrossthecushion，applyingtheedgesodexterously，andwithsolittleapparenteffort，thatthecushionseemedrathertofallasunderthantobedividedbyviolence。
Itisajuggler’strick，’’saidDeVaux，dartingforwardandsnatchinguptheportionofthecushionwhichhadbeencutoff，asiftoassurehimselfoftherealityofthefeat，-thereisgramaryeinthis。’’
TheSoldanseemedtocomprehendhim，forheundidthesortofveilwhichhehadhithertoworn，laiditdoublealongtheedgeofhissabre，extendedtheweaponedgewaysintheair，anddrawingitsuddenlythroughtheveil，althoughithungonthebladeentirelyloose，severedthatalsointotwoparts，whichfloatedtodifferentsidesofthetent，equallydisplayingtheextremetemperandsharpnessoftheweapon，andtheexquisitedexterityofhimwhousedit。
Now，ingoodfaith，mybrother，’’saidRichard，thouartevenmatchlessatthetrickofthesword，andrightperilouswereittomeetthee！Still，however，IputsomefaithinadownrightEnglishblow，andwhatwecannotdobysleight，weekeoutbystrength。Nevertheless，intruththouartasexpertininflictingwounds，asmysageHakimincuringthem。ItrustIshallseethelearnedleech-Ihavemuchtothankhimforandhadbroughtsomesmallpresent。’’
Ashespoke，SaladinexchangedhisturbanforaTartarcap。
Hehadnosoonerdoneso，thanDeVauxopenedatoncehisextendedmouthandhislargeroundeyes，andRichardgazedwithscarcelessastonishment，whiletheSoldanspokeinagraveandalteredvoice:-Thesickman，sayeththepoet，whileheisyetinfirm，knoweththephysicianbyhisstep；butwhenheisrecovered，heknowethnotevenhisfacewhenhelooksuponhim。’’
Amiracle！-amiracle！’’exclaimedRichard。