The plain was behind them, and their road ran among hills.

Suddenly it turned, and in the flaming lights of the new-born day showed them a sight so beautiful that for a moment all that little company drew rein to gaze.

For yonder before them, though far away as yet, throned upon her hills, stood the holy city of Jerusalem.

There were her walls and towers, and there, stained red as though with the blood of its worshippers, soared the great cross upon the mosque of Omar--that cross which was so soon to fall.
Yes, yonder was the city for which throughout the ages men had died by tens and hundreds of thousands, and still must die until the doom was done.

Saladin had offered to spare her citizens if they consented to surrender, but they would not.