WHILE the crusaders were still encamped on both sides of the Achmoum, and Bibars Bendocdar was rejoicing with his Mamelukes over their victory at Man-sourah, Touran-Chah, son and heir of Melikul-Salih, arrived to ascend the throne of Egypt. Unfortunately for his popularity, the new Sultan did not come alone. With him from Mesopotamia, arrived bands of favorites, who immediately displaced the ministers of his father, and excited the jealousy of the Mamelukes. Complaints and reproaches were soon heard. " You have bestowed the spoils of the vanquished Franks," said the Mameluke chiefs to the Sultan, " not on those who have borne the burden of the war, but on men whose sole merit consists of having come from the banks of the Euphrates to the Nile."
The Sultan's favorites soon became aware of the jealousy felt towards them. Indeed, the feeling was too openly manifested to escape their observation; and they were guilty of no delay in retaliating. They knew that the Sultan was already weary of the control of the Mameluke chiefs, and hastened to avail themselves of his impatience. " You have, in these emirs, enemies more dangerous than the Franks," said they.
"These men aspire to your throne, and find this war favorable to their designs. Therefore hasten to make peace, that you may strengthen yourself against their efforts."
Touran-Chah listened to the suggestions of his courtiers; and, flattered by their speeches, he resolved upon showing the Mameluke chiefs how little he regarded their opinions. Without condescending to consult them, he sent some of his courtiers to Louis, and empowered them to treat with the captive King.
"How much money," asked the ambassador, "will you give the Sultan for your ransom, besides restoring Damietta."
"If," answered Louis, "the Sultan will be contented with a reasonable ransom, I will write to the Queen to pay it for myself and my army."
"But why," asked the ambassador, "do you want to write to the Queen?"
"Because," replied Louis, "she is my lady and companion; and it is but reasonable that she should be asked for her consent."
"However," said the ambassador, "If the Queen will pay a million of golden bezants, you will be freed."
"As the King of France," said Louis with dignity, "I cannot be ransomed by money; but Damietta shall be given for my freedom, and a million of bezants for that of my army."
After some negotiations, the terms were agreed to on both sides; and the French knights and barons learned that the King had ransomed all his followers, both rich and poor. Arrangements were then made for restoring the crusaders to liberty; and four galleys were prepared to convey the chief captives to the mouth of the Nile. On reaching Pharescour, the King and his brothers were placed in a pavilion; while the knights, among whom were the Count of Brittany, Philip de Montfort, and the Sieur de Joinville, remained on board the galleys. After having been more than a month in fetters, the crusaders were naturally eager to be free; but the prospect was now not distant. It was the Thursday before the Feast of Ascension; and the Sultan had travelled by land from Mansourah with the object of receiving Damietta, and performing the conditions of peace on Saturday. Such was the state of affairs, when a tragical event, utterly unexpected, exposed the crusaders to new dangers and fresh trials.
The Sultan, it appears, had erected at Pharescour, on the margin of the Nile, a handsome palace, which the chroniclers of the period have fully described. The fearful tragedy of which it was the scene might well impress it on the memory of the crusaders. At the entrance of this palace, which was constructed of poles of wood covered with painted cloth, was a pavilion, where the emirs left their swords when they had audiences. Beyond this pavilion was a handsome gateway leading to a great hall; and adjoining it a tower, by which they ascended to the Sultan's chamber. In front of the palace was a spacious lawn, in which stood a tower used by Touran-Chah for making observations, and an alley leading to the river, on the edge of which stood a summer-house, formed of trellis-work and covered with Indian linen, in which he was in the habit of bathing.
Touran-Chah, on arriving at Pharescour, took up his residence in this palace on the Nile. It was there he received congratulations on his victory over the Franks; and there, in order to celebrate a triumph so signal, he gave a great banquet All the chief Moslem warriors were present on the occasion; and everything went quietly and ceremoniously till the feast was at an end. No sooner, however, did the Sultan rise to ascend to his chamber, than his guests rushed furiously towards him. Bibars Bendocdar, who bore the Sultan's sword, inflicted a blow, which, being parried by the hand, cut up the arm between the fingers.
"My Lords," said Touran-Chah, "I complain to you against this man, who has endeavored to loll me!"
"Better that you should be slain," they all replied, " than live to murder us as you intend to do, when in possession of Damietta."
The Sultan was amazed and terrified. He sprang to his feet, however, and, bounding between the motionless guards, fled to the tower leadmg to his chamber. But the conspirators soon convinced him that his hopes of escape were vain.
"Come down," they cried; "you cannot escape us."
"I will willingly come down," said the Sultan, "if you will assure me of safety."
"We will force you to descend," the conspirators shouted; and they prepared to assail the tower with Greek fire.
One hope still remained for the unfortunate Sultan. That was to rush down to reach the Nile, to cast himself into the water, and to seek refuge on board some of the vessels which he saw anchored near the shore. No sooner, therefore, did the Greek fire catch the cloth and timber, than he descended to the lawn and rushed from the blazing tower. But, quick as thought, the conspirators were upon him; and Bibars Bendocdar dealt a thrust, so stern, that his sword remained sticking between the fugitive's ribs. Still resisting his fate, The Sultan plunged into the Nile, but nine of the conspirators, following with naked swords, killed him close to one of the galleys, from which the captive crusaders witnessed tbe scene.
All this time, Louis shut up in a pavilion with his brothers, remained utterly unaware of what was occurring. Hearing a tumult, however, the King supposed either that Damietta had been taken or that the captive crusaders had been massacred. While he was occupied with the gloomiest thoughts, one of the Mamelukes suddenly entered the pavilion with blood on his hands.
"King," cried the Mameluke, "what will you give me, who have slain an enemy, who, had he lived, would have put you to, death? "Speak," he continued, seeing that Louis did not answer. "Knowest thou not that I am master of thy life? Make me a knight, or thou art a dead man."
"Make thyself a Christian," answered Louis, "and I will make thee a knight."
The Mameluke, on hearing this withdrew. The captive King, however, soon found that the danger was not over. Scarcely had the candidate for knighthood disappeared, when a number of Saracens entered the pavilion, and, drawing their sabres, threatened Louis with instant destruction. But the Christian King was proof against their menaces; and the Saracens, impressed with the dignity of his demeanor in presence of danger, passed suddenly from rage to wonder. After offering him the throne of Egypt, they retired in respectful silence.
Meanwhile, Saracens, armed with swords and battle-axes, rushed on board the galleys, and threatened the French knights with death. No hope of escape presented itself; and the Christian warriors, preparing for instant execution, confessed themselves hurriedly to the priests or to each other. The Mamelukes, however, were afraid to proceed to further bloodshed; and the crusaders, after passing a night of horrors, found that there was still a possibility of being restored to their countries and their homes.
Ere this, the Mamelukes had completed their vengeance. After stabbing Touran-Chah with countless wounds, and hacking the body with brutal ferocity, they tossed the mangled remains on the banks of the Nile. At first it appeared that even sepulture was to be refused to the last Sultan of Saladin's line. But the Caliph's envoy interfered. Having obtained permission, the envoy proceeded to perform the obsequies privately; and, after lying exposed for two days, the corpse of Touran-Chah was laid, without pomp, in an obscure grave.
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From John G. Edgar
The Crusades and the Crusaders, 1860
