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CHAPTER IX: Richard

There was, however, no real union among the leaders. Philip, jealous of the heroic character of his rival, and tired of the fruitless expedition, embarked with the greatest part of his army to France, having first sworn not to attack the possessions of Richard until the return of both to their dominions. Cœur-de-Lion now became sole master of the operations; resumed the siege of Acre, which at length capitulated; defeated the sultan in several desperate encounters, and, by prodigies of valor and military skill, forced victory from the standards of the brave Saladin, who till then had been deemed invincible. While Richard was pursuing his successes, and on the eve of reaping all the fruits of his toil, he learned that Philip, on his return to France, had incited his (Richard's) brother to take up arms against him, and was attacking the English provinces in that kingdom. Thus forced to sacrifice his expectations in the east to the interest and defence of his native dominions, he renounced with rage and vexation the laurels he had won and his hopes of future conquest. He then agreed to a truce with Saladin, by which the Christians were to be securely protected in Palestine; but though Acre was in their possession and served as a bulwark for them until the entire termination of the crusades, the design of this expedition was frustrated by leaving the sultan master of Jerusalem. Saladin died in 1193.