Rather did great nobles come to them, and almost on their knees crave for the boon of a single cup.

Having watered their horses sparingly from a bowl, they gave what they could, till at length only two skins remained, and one of these was spilt by a thief, who crept up and slashed it with his knife that he might drink while the water ran to waste.

After this the brethren drew their swords and watched, swearing that they would kill any man who so much as touched the skin which was left.

All that long night through there arose a confused clamour from the camp, of which the burden seemed to be, "Water! Give us water!" while from without came the shouts of the Saracens calling upon Allah.

Here, too, the hot ground was covered with scrub dried to tinder by the summer drought, and to this the Saracens set fire so that the smoke rolled down on the Christian host and choked them, and the place became a hell.
Day dawned at last; and the army was formed up in order of battle, its two wings being thrown forward.