They had not gone
more than a league and a half from the city, when they met the company
of the French under the command of Thierri of Tenremonde. So soon as
the French saw them advancing, they formed into their four battalions,
with intent to draw into Rusium in slow time; for they knew that if,
by God's grace, they could come thither, they would then be in safety.
The Comans, and the Wallachians, and the Greeks of the land rode
towards them, for they were in very great force. And they came upon
the rear-guard, and began to harass it full sorely. Now the rear-guard
was formed of the men of Thierri of Loos, who was seneschal, and had
returned to Constantinople, and his brother Villain was now in
command.
108
And the Comans and Wallachians and Greeks pressed them very hard, and
wounded many of their horses. Loud were the cries and fierce the
onslaught, so that by main force and pure distress they drove the
rear-guard back on the battalion of Andrew of Urboise and John of
Choisy; and in this manner the Franks retreated, suffering greatly.
The enemy renewed their onslaught so fiercely that they drove the
Franks who were nearest to them back on the battalion of Thierri of
Tenremonde, the constable. Nor was it long before they drove them back
still further on to the battalions led by Charles of the Fr?ne. And
now the Franks had retreated, sore harassed, till they were within
half a mile of Rusium.
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