Those
who were not panic-stricken appear to have been indifferent. Some, at
least, were apparently still dreaming of a mere change of rulers, like
those of which the majority of them had seen several. But before any
attempt at reorganization could be made the enemy was in sight, and
Theodore himself had to fly.
The crusaders had expected another day's fighting, and knew nothing of
the flight of Mourtzouphlos. To their surprise they encountered no
resistance. The day was occupied in taking possession of their
conquest. The Byzantine troops laid down their arms on receiving
assurances of personal safety. The Italians who had been expelled took
advantage of the entry of their friends and appear to have retaliated
upon the population for their expulsion. Two thousand of the
inhabitants, says Gunther, were killed, and mostly by these returned
Italians. As the victorious crusaders passed through the streets,
women, old men, and children, who had been unable to flee, met them,
and, placing one finger over another so as to make the sign of the
cross, hailed the Marquis of Montferrat as king, while a hastily
gathered procession, with the cross and the sacred emblems of Christ,
greeted him in triumph.
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