A number of different plans were proposed in the course of the negotiation, but there seemed to arise insuperable objections against them all. At one time, either at this period or subsequently, when Richard returned again to the coast, a project was formed to settle the dispute, as quarrels and wars were often settled in those days, by a marriage. The plan was for Saladin and Richard to cease their hostility to each other, and become friends and allies; the consideration for terminating the war being, on Richard's side, that he would give his sister Joanna, the ex-queen of Sicily, in marriage to Saphadin; and that Saladin, on his part, should relinquish Jerusalem to Richard. Whether it was that Joanna would not consent to be thus conveyed in a bargain to an Arab chieftain as a part of a price paid for a peace, or whether Saladin did not consider her majesty as a full equivalent for the surrender of Jerusalem, the plan fell through like all the others that had been proposed, and at length the negotiations were fully abandoned, and Richard began again to prepare for taking the field. CHAPTER XVI. REVERSES. 1191 Feuds in the Christian army.--The march in November.--The army weakened by disease, mutiny, and desertion.--The return to Ascalon.--Rebuilding the fortifications.--Saladin presses upon the retiring army.--Skirmishing.--Contrivances of the enemy to harass the army.--Difficulties which the king met with in repairing Ascalon.--The troops unwilling to labor.--Resentment of Leopold.--The present which Richard made to Berengaria.--Intercession of Leopold.--Richard's exasperation.--Richard expels Leopold from Ascalon.--The work goes on.--Waiting for re-enforcements.--The Abbot of Clairvaux.--The truce.--Courtesy of enemies when not at contest.--Presents.--Saladin's present to Richard.--The Christian army discouraged.--King Richard uneasy respecting the state of England.--Selfishness, not generosity, was the secret motive.--Saladin's reason for retaining Jerusalem.--A political marriage.--The compromise was opposed by the priests.--The scheme of joint occupancy of Jerusalem abandoned. By this time very serious dissensions and difficulties had arisen in the army of the Crusaders. There were a great many chieftains who felt very independent of each other, and feuds and quarrels of long standing broke out anew, and with more violence than ever. There were many different opinions, too, in respect to the course which it was now best to pursue. Richard, however, contrived yet to maintain some sort of authority, and he finally decided to commence his march from Jaffa.