CHAPTER II.

ON my arrival, I found that an order had already gone forth for the army to

proceed immediately towards Constantinople; and the troops which had

suffered least in the battle were already on their way. The town was full

of tumult. The wound, and consequent inability of Argyropylo, caused

Raymond to be the first in command. He rode through the town, visiting the

wounded, and giving such orders as were necessary for the siege he

meditated. Early in the morning the whole army was in motion. In the hurry

I could hardly find an opportunity to bestow the last offices on Evadne.

Attended only by my servant, I dug a deep grave for her at the foot of the

tree, and without disturbing her warrior shroud, I placed her in it,

heaping stones upon the grave. The dazzling sun and glare of daylight,

deprived the scene of solemnity; from Evadne's low tomb, I joined Raymond

and his staff, now on their way to the Golden City.

Constantinople was invested, trenches dug, and advances made. The whole

Greek fleet blockaded it by sea; on land from the river Kyat Kbanah, near

the Sweet Waters, to the Tower of Marmora, on the shores of the Propontis,

along the whole line of the ancient walls, the trenches of the siege were

drawn. We already possessed Pera; the Golden Horn itself, the city,

bastioned by the sea, and the ivy-mantled walls of the Greek emperors was

all of Europe that the Mahometans could call theirs. Our army looked on her

as certain prey. They counted the garrison; it was impossible that it

should be relieved; each sally was a victory; for, even when the Turks were

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The Last Man