By the help and comfort that he gave them, and
because he accompanied them with as many men as he could, they turned
back to a city, some twelve lea-ues distant, called Arcadiopolis,
which belonged to the Venetians, and they found it empty. So they
entered in, and put a garrison there.
On the third day the Greeks of the land gathered together, and came at
the break of dawn before Arcadiopohs; and then began, from all sides,
an assault, great and marvellous. The Franks defended themselves right
well, and opened their
89
gates, and issued forth, attacking vigorously. As was God's will, the
Greeks were discomfited, and those on our side began to cut them down
and to slay them, and then chased them for a league, and killed many,
and captured many horses and much other spoil.
So the Franks returned with great joy to Arcadiopolis, and sent
tidings of their victory to the Emperor Baldwin, in Constantinople,
who was much rejoiced tliereat. Nevertheless they dared not hold the
city of Arcadiopolis, but left it on the morrow, and abandoned it, and
returned to the city of Tzurulum. Here they remained in very great
doubt, for they misdoubted the Greeks who were in the city as much as
those who were without, because the Greeks in the city had also taken
part in the oath sworn to the King of Wallachia, and were bound to
betray the Franks. And manv there were who did not dare to abide in
Tzurulum, but made their way back to Constantinople.
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