THE crusaders, gathering gradually from different nations to the banner of the cross before the walls of Constantinople, presented so formidable an appearance, that the Emperor of the East grew more and more alarmed. Forgetting the fear he had entertained of Moslem foes,. Alexis became only anxious to be saved from Christian friends. At length, in May, 1097, the wily Greek had the satisfaction of knowing that the crusaders were on the other side of the Bosphorus; and, by way of fulfilling a promise to accompany them with an army to Jerusalem, he prepared to follow their march -- "like the bird that seeks its prey in the lion's track."
Having landed in Asia Minor, the crusaders crossed the plains of Bithynia, and advanced, in martial array, towards Nice. A hundred thousand horsemen, and five hundred thousand footmen, formed the army. Dukes who had mortgaged their duchies, and counts who had pledged their counties, figured as its chiefs. Priests, whose sober vestments proclaimed them dead to the world, and prelates, whose chain mail and priceless chargers proved that they laid claim to no such distinction, mingled with dukes and counts. Women in their teens, who relished every novelty, and grandmothers of threescore, who declared that all was vanity and vexation of spirit, conversed with warriors and churchmen. Young knights, with white hawks on their wrists and red scarfs on their arms, listened with patience to stately dames and talked merrily to laughing damsels, or rode to and fro to in the country, and guard against being attacked by awares. As yet most people found the expedition cheerful and exciting. Everything, indeed, wore encouraging aspect. Banners waved; bridles n mail rattled; steeds pranced; trumpets sounded monks sang hymns of praise; and heralds shouted, "Save the Holy Sepulchre!" Such was the position, and such the appearance, of that army with which Godfrey of Bouillon on his war-horse, and Peter the Permit on his mule, approached the capital of Bithynia. Never had the Saracens seen such foe those who were now marching to deliver the Holy Sepulchre.
But the Sultan of Nice held no counsel. Whatever came to pass, he was not likely to be found by armed foemen lolling luxuriously in the recesses of his palace. Exhibiting characteristic energy at the news of the approach of foes, he fortified his capital and summoned subjects and allies to his aid. Confident in the fortification and the enthusiasm of Nice, the Sultan placed his wife, his children, and his treasures within the walls; and having encouraged the gar with assurances of aid and promises of reward encamped, with a numerous army, on the neighboring mountains.
Scarcely had the Sultan completed his preparations, when, on the 10th of May, the crusaders appeared before Nice. The aspect of the place was not such as to encourage hopes of an easy capture. Strong walls environed the town; hundreds of towers and turrets protected the walls; a ditch broad and deep surrounded the fortifications; Lake Ascanius washed the foundations, and communicated conveniently with the sea. Moreover, the Sultan's choicest troops manned the ramparts; and, in white tents spread over the mountain side, around the black banner of the Abassides, a mighty army of Moslem warriors lay ready, at a signal, to grasp their spears and rush down to the city's rescue. Every precaution, which skill could devise, the Sultan had taken to prevent the triumph anticipated by the Christian invaders.
But the Normans and Franks were not daunted. Encamping on a level plain, watered by rivulets that flowed from the mountains, the crusaders commenced the siege with zeal and courage. Such, indeed, was the enthusiasm, that chiefs did the work of soldiers; and priests, passing continually along the ranks, reminded them of the holy cause of which they were the champions. Under such influences, the crusaders made several attempts with more zeal than discretion; but the exploits performed convinced the Saracens of the marvellous valor with which they had to contend.
The Sultan, on becoming acquainted with the operations of the Frank warriors, considered that the time had come for a great effort; and, calling his chiefs together, he addressed them in inspiriting language, promised them not only victory, but the richest booty, and assured them that their enemies were at discord with each other, and would be easily vanquished. This ceremony over, the Sultan girded on his armor; and, at the head of his soldiers, suddenly descended from the mountains and advanced to the attack.
But the Moslem warrior found that he had to encounter men of very different mould from those who composed the mob led by Walter the Penniless. At first, indeed, fortune seemed to smile on his adventure. Charging the soldiers of Raymond of Thoulouse, he succeeded in producing some disorder among the Provencals. But the voice and example of the old Count soon restored the courage of his men; and, ere the Saracens had time to pursue their advantage, Curthose and the Count of Flanders charged upon them with the lance. A brief but bloody struggle ensued; and the Sultan, finding his antagonists infinitely more formidable than he had anticipated, sounded a retreat.
The crusaders raised the song of triumph, and the Sultan, finding how futile had been his efforts, abandoned Nice to its fate, and postponed a decisive battle with the Christian warriors. Relieved from the presence of a watchful foe, the crusaders pressed the siege with renewed vigor; and with the aid of a Lombard engineer, carried on the work of destruction. AU the warlike science of the ago was brought to bear upon the siege. Rams battered the walls; balisters unceasingly discharged huge stones; catapults slung blocks of wood and masses of stone with a crash into the city; and tall vooden towers, wheeled forward to the ramparts, conveyed the besiegers to close conflict with the besieged.
Nevertheless, Nice held out bravely; and week after week passed without the crusaders gaining any signal advantage. Every male inhabitant, capable of drawing a bow or casting a stone, had taken arms; and the defence was of the most desperate nature. Machines covered the ramparts, and hurled destruction upon the assailants; beams of wood and blocks of stone fell constantly; and one Saracen of gigantic proportions particularly distinguished himself during the siege. He seldom missed his aim; and with arrows, javelins, and stones, he was equally successful. One day when thus engaged, he stood up and defied the bravest Christian, and loaded them with abuse. A hundred arrows were immediately directed against him; but he seemed to bear a charmed life. At length Godfrey of Bouillon seized a crossbow and took aim. In another moment the huge carcass of the Saracen rolled into the ditch, shot through the heart.
By this time, the siege of Nice had lasted for several weeks, and the crusaders perceived that, so long as supplies reached the city by Lake Ascanius, the defence might be indefinitely protracted. Measures were, therefore, taken; and one night boats, brought overland, were launched in the water. On board of each boat a band of warriors embarked; and next morning the besieged, with dismay, observed the lake covered with countless foes. Ere long it became known throughout the city, that while attempting to escape, the wife and children of the Sultan had been captured; and the Saracens gave way to despair.
It was now the 20th of June; and the crusaders, considering the result no longer doubtful, girded themselves up for a last strenuous effort. Alexis, however, had prepared at this point to cheat them out of the fruits of their valor. He had previously sent to the siege an admiral and a general; and these men, coming ostensibly to aid the crusaders, but in reality to prevent them getting possession of Nice, obtained admission at a critical moment, and persuaded the inhabitants that, to escape the vengeance of the Franks, their best plan was to surrender to the Emperor. The Saracens took the advice of the Greeks; and when the crusaders were about to make a crowning effort, the standard of Alexis was suddenly displayed from tower and turret.
Enraged at what they regarded as perfidy, the crusaders retired to their tents and gave vent to theii indignation. Alexis, however, invited the leaders tc a conference; and, having liighly lauded their valoi and conduct, he contrived, by valuable gifts, to silence their murmurs. Nevertheless, the crusaders now re-garded the Emperor of the East as the worst of foes; and, with undisguised hatred and contempt for the potentate to whom they had done homage, they set forward from Nice on o their march towards the Holy City.
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From John G. Edgar
The Crusades and the Crusaders, 1860
