From this position he could see all the movements of the
fleet. The walls were covered with men who were ready again to fight
under the eye of their Emperor. The assault commenced at dawn, and
continued with the utmost fierceness. Every available crusader and
Venetian took part in it. Each little group of ships had its own
special portion of the walls, with its towers, to attack. The
besiegers during the first portion of the day made little progress,
but a strong north wind sprang up, which enabled the vessels to get
nearer the land than they had previously been. Two of the transports,
the Pilgrim and the Parvis, lashed together, succeeded in throwing one
of their gangways across to a tower in the Petrion, and opposite the
position occupied by the Emperor.
A Venetian, and a French knight, Andre d'Urboise, immediately rushed
across and obtained a foothold. They were at once followed by others,
who fought so well that the defenders of the tower were either killed
or fled. The example gave new courage to the invaders. The knights who
were in the huissiers, as soon as they saw what had been done, leaped
on shore, placed their ladders against the wall, and shortly captured
four towers.
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