Every night when the Crusaders encamped, the heralds blew their
trumpets, and cried three times, "Save the Holy Sepulchre!" And
the Crusaders knelt and said, "Amen!"
The great leader of the Saracens was Saladin. He was a model of
heroism and the two leaders, one the champion of the Christians and
the other the champion of the Mohammedans, vied with each other in
knightly deeds.
Just before one battle Richard rode down the Saracen line and
boldly called for any one to step forth and fight him alone. No
one responded to the challenge, for the most valiant of the Saracens
did not dare to meet the lion-hearted king.
After the capture of Acre Richard took Ascalon (As'-ca-lon). Then
he made a truce with Saladin, by which the Christians acquired the
right for three years to visit the Holy City without paying for
the privilege.
III
Richard now set out on his voyage home. He was wrecked, however, on
the Adriatic Sea near Trieste. To get to England he was obliged
to go through the lands of Leopold, duke of Austria, one of
his bitterest enemies. So he disguised himself as a poor pilgrim
returning from the Holy Land.
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