Following decisions taken at Palmarea, Baldwin III's army, together with those of Louis VII and Conrad III, arrived at Tiberias with the true cross, then advanced to Banyas, where they had discussions with experts on Damascus. They decided to attack first the orchards surrounding the city. The Franks crossed Mt Lebanon and arrived at Daria, near Damascus, where they formed battle lines. Baldwin's army, being familiar with the country, went first, then Louis' in the middle, to assist if necessary, then Conrad's as rearguard. In this formation they approached Damascus. Baldwin led the armies into the orchards protecting Damascus for five miles on the west and north, close-set trees surrounded by mud walls with towers and narrow paths - excellent for ambushes, which the citizens set. The Frankish leaders persisted, to break the city's strongest defence and to gain access to food and water. By ruthlessly crushing the first opposition they met, his men terrified the townspeople into fleeing from the orchards, allowing faster progress. The enemy now defended the river, so as to keep the thirsty Franks from drinking. Baldwin's men tried desperately to reach the water, but in vain. When the army's advance was halted, Conrad's knights rode forward from the rear and dismounted, as always in a crisis. Fighting on foot with sword and shield they drove the enemy back; Conrad himself cut a Turkish knight in half, badly damaging enemy morale, so that the army could drink. Two virtuous Muslims of the fine old type, 'Abd al-Rahman al-Halhuli, an asceteic and al-Findalawi, a jurisconsult, both from Aleppo, saw the Frankish armies [called Byzantines by Usama] attacking, and joined the defence, fighting till they were killed. The Christians were now in an excellent position, with river water and food from the orchards; the citizens despaired and thought how to escape with their lives