The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-09-15
No. 81.

hucs, and the tops of their pillars or tent
poles, were decorated with golden pome-
granates, and small silken flags. But be-
sidesthese distinguished pavlions, there were
what Thomas dc Vaux considered as por-
tentious a number of the ordinary black
tents of the Arabs, being sufficient as he
conceived, to accommodate, according to the
Eastern fashion, an host of five thousand
men. A number Of Arabs and Curds, fully
corresponding to the extent of the encamp-
ment, were hastily assembling, each leading
his horse in his hand, and their muster was
accompanied by an astonishing Glamour OF
their noisy instruments of martial music, by
which in all ages, the. warfare OF the Arabs
has been animated.
They soon formed deep confused mass OF
dismounted cavalry, in front of their en-
campment, when, at the signal of shrill
cry, which arose high over the clsngour OF
the music, each cavalier sprung to his sad
die. A cloud of dust arising at the moment
of this mahruvre, hid, from Richard and
his attendants, the camp, the palm trees,
and the distant ridge of mountains, as well
as the troops whose sudden movement had
raised the cloud, and, ascending high over
their heads, formed itself into the fantas-
tic forms of wreathed pillars, domes, and
minarets. Another shi'll yell was heard
from the bosom of this cloudy tabernacle.
1t was the signal for the cavalry to advance
which they did at full gallop, disposing them-
selves, as they came forwards, so as TO come
in at once on the 'front.' iianks and rear of
Richards little body guard who were thus
surrounded, and almost choked by the dense
clouds Of dust envelloping them on each side
through which they were seen alternately
and lost the grim forms and wild faces of
the Saracens, brandishing and tossing their
lances in every direction, with the widest
cries and halloos, and frequently only REIN
ing up their horses when within spears
length of the Christians, while those in the
rear discharged over the heads OF both par
ties thick volleys Of arrows.
AS they had advanced nearly half way to-
wards the camp, King Richard and his suit
forming, as it we're, the nucleus round which
this tumultuary body of horsemen howled,
whooped, skirmished, and galloped, creating
a scene of indiscrbable confusion another
shril cry was heard, on which all these ir-
regulars, who were on the front and upon
the hanks of the little body of the Europeans,
wheeled off, and forming themselves into
lo1g and deep column, followed with COM
parative order and silence in the rear of
Richards troop-The dust began now to
dissipate in their front, when there advance
ed to meet them, through that cloudy veil,
a body of cavalry of different and more reg
ular description, completely armed with of
fensive and defensive weapons, and who
might we'll have served as a body-guard to
the proudest of Eastern Monarchs.-Each
horse in that troop, which consisted OF five
hundred men, was worth an earl's ransom.
The riders were Georgian and Circassian
slaves, in the very prime of life; their hem
lets and hauberks were formed Of steel rings,
SO bright that they shene like silver; their
vesturcs were of the gaycst colors, ana some
of cloth of gold or silver; the sashes were
twisted with silk and gold; their rich turbans
were plumcd and jewelled; and their sabres
and poniards, of Damascene steel, were a.
dorned with gold and jems on hit and scab-
bard.
This splendid troop advanced to the sound
Of military music, and when they met the
Christian body, they opened their files to
the right and left, and let them enter be-
tween their ranks. Richard now assumed
the foremost place in his troop, aware that
Saladin himself was approaching. Nor was
it long when, in the cent? ie of his body guard,
surrounded by his domestic officers, and
those hideous negroes who guard the east
ern haram, and whose misshapen forms
were rendered yet more frighttul by the
! richness OF their attire, came the Soldan
with the look and manners OF one on whose
brow Nature had written: "This is a king!"
| In his snow white turban, vest, and wide
Eastern trowsers, wearing a sash OF scarlet
silk, without any other ornament, Saladm
might have seemed the most plain dressed
man in his own guard But closer inspec-
tion dscerned in his turban that nestimable
gem, which was called by the poets, the
Sea of Light; the diamond on which his sig
net was engraved, and which he wore in
ring, was probably worth all the jewels of
the English crown, and sapphire, which
terminated the hilt of his canjiar, was of not
much inferior value. 1t should be added.
that to protect him from the dust, which, in
the vicinity Of the Dead Sea, resembles the
| finest ashes, or, perhaps, out OF Oriental
pride, the Soldon were sort OF veil attach
ed to his turban, which partly ol,scured the
view of his noble features. He rode milk
white Arabian, which borehim as il conscious
and proud of his noble burthen.
! There was no need Of farther introduction.
! The two heroic monarchs, for such they both
were threw themselves at once from horse
| back and both parties hating, and the music
suddenly ceasing, they advanced tomeet each
other in profound silence, and, after courte-
Gus inclination on either side, they embraced
as brethren and equals. The pomp and dis
play upon both sides attracted no farther no.
tice--no one saw aught save Richard and
Saadin, and they, too beheld nothing but
! each other The looks with which Rich ra