*
[NOTE [pp. 61-63]: I should like to quote here another feat of arms
related by Robert of Clari, one of those feats that serve to
explain how the Crusaders obtained mastery - the mastery of perfect
fearlessness - over the Greeks. Robert of Clari, then, relates how
a small body of the besiegers, ten knights and nine sergeants, had
come before a postem which had been newly bricked up.-
"Now there was there a clerk, Aleaume of Clari by name, who had
shown his courage whenever there was need, and was always first in
any assault at which he might be present; and when the tower of
Galata was taken, this same clerk had performed more deeds of
prowess with his body, man for man, than any one in the host, save
only the Lord Peter of Bracuel; for the Lord Peter it was who
surpassed all others, whether of high or low degree, so that there
was none other that performed such feats of arms, or acts of
prowess with his body, as the Lord Peter of Bracuel. So when they
came to the postern they began to hew and pick at it very hardily;
but the bolts flew at them so thick, and so many stones were hurled
at them from the wall, that it seemed as if they would be buried
beneath the stones-sucb was the mass of quarries and stones thrown
from above. And those who were below held up targes and shields to
cover those who were picking and hewing underneath; and those above
threw down pots of boiling pitch, and Greek fire, and large rocks,
so that it was one of God's miracles that the assailants were not
utterly confounded; for my Lord Peter and his men suffered more
than enough of blows and grievous danger.
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