DESTRUCTION OF THE ORDER OF THE ASSASSINS. 251 states of Irak, and the south of Persia. These Assas- sins or Ismaelites *, who were exterminated by the Tartar chief, had a certain head or king named Rok- ud-din, called by the writers of that time the " Old Man of the Mountain." This monarch, it was said, occupied a country of wonderful fertility, and abounding in all sorts of good things. He inhabited a palace of extraordinary magnificence, surrounded by delicious gardens, where there was nothing wanting for volup- tuous enjoyment ; and it was added, that by the attrac- sion of such delights, this old man of the mountain had enticed to him men of all countries, of whom he made assassins, and then sent them forth to kill the princes and kings that he pointed out to them. He exercised, it was said, such a fascination over them, that they vowed a blind obedience to his will, and executed all his commands, even at the peril of their lives. Joinville, Nangis, and many other historians, say that in the time of the Crusades these fanatics were frequently met with in the Holy Land. They attempted to as- sassinate St. Louis : and Edward the First of England, was severely wounded by one of them. The Arabs named these miscreants Gazis or Saleides. When their sovereign was on a march, a man went before him bearing a hatchet, surrounded by knives and swords, and crying from time to time, " Back ! Back ! Fly from before the face of him. who holds in his hands the death of kings ! " The progress of Houlagou was one incessant course of victory and destruction ; but the Georgians and Ar- menians managed to gain his good will, and he showered
- Commonly designated in the country Hascheschin, whence was
derived Assissin, and thence Assassin.
