Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/51

 The cause of the battle alluded to as having taken place in 1119 was owing to a descent of one of the Turcoman tribes upon the principality of Antioch. The knights of St. John hastened to seize the opportunity afforded by the king of Jerusalem marching his troops to the assistance of the threatened city, to carry out their new military obligations, and they formed a very important element in his army.

The Turcomans had so far met with complete success in their incursion. They had utterly routed the forces which the regent of Antioch had brought against them, he himself having been killed in the battle. Confident, therefore, of success, and elate with victory, they hurried forward to meet the new enemy. Here they found that in spite of their superior numbers they were no match for their opponents. Riven in sunder by the torrent of steel which, with Raymond at its head, poured upon their columns, and unable at any point to present a front which was not instantly shattered, they were, after a desperate resistance, forced to give way. Raymond followed up his victory, and the retreat was speedily turned into a rout, in which the slaughter of the flying multitudes became terrific. This triumph enabled the king for a time to free the entire Latin territory, and on his return to Jerusalem to enjoy a brief period of quiet and repose.

As his kingdom, in so exposed a situation, was never long destined to be at rest, we soon find Baldwin once again in the field with Raymond and his gallant Hospitallers at his back. This time Edessa was the point of attack, the Turcomans being under the command of Balak, one of their most powerful chiefs. He had succeeded in surprising the count of Edessa, Jocelyn de Courtenay, had routed his forces, and had taken him prisoner. In order to rescue his friend and prevent the further advance of Balak into the Latin territory, the king hastened forward by rapid marches, accompanied by the Hospitallers and such other forces as on the spur of the moment he could gather together. Having most imprudently advanced upon a reconnoitring expedition with but a slender escort, he was in his turn surprised by the vigilant Balak, and became a follow-prisoner with his friend Courtenay. His army, overwhelmed with panic at this untoward occurrence, retreated precipitately;