But the devotion which the whole army felt for him was as gall and wormwood to the haughty Austrian and the indolent Frenchman; and the retirement of the King of France, which left Richard in supreme command, was in every way unfortunate." Upon the following day the army again marched, and Cuthbert could not but notice the difference, not only in number but in demeanor, from the splendid array which had left Acre a few months before.

There was little now of the glory of pennon and banner; the bright helms and cuirasses were rusted and dinted, and none seemed to care aught for bravery of show.

The knights and men-at-arms were sunburnt and thin, and seemed but half the weight that they had been when they landed.

Fatigue, hardship, and the heat had done their work; disease had swept off vast numbers.
But the remains of the army were so formidable in their fighting powers that the Saracens, although following them at a distance in vast numbers, did not venture an attack upon them.
A few days after their arrival at Acre, the king gave orders for the embarkation of the troops.

Just as they were preparing to enter the ships a small vessel was seen entering the harbor.