adapted for concealment. Nothing, however, could escape the
observation of the horde which was now ransacking every corner. When
the Italians had been banished from the city Nicetas had sheltered a
Venetian merchant, with his wife and family. This man now clothed
himself like a soldier and, pretending that he was one of the
invaders, prevented his countrymen or any other Latins from entering
the house. For some time he was successful, but at length a crowd,
principally of French soldiers, pushed past and flocked within. From
that time protection became impossible.

The Venetian advised Nicetas to leave, in order to prevent himself
from being imprisoned and to save the honor of his daughters. Nicetas
and his friends accepted the advice. Having clothed themselves in
skins or the poorest garments, they were conducted through the city by
their faithful friend as if they were his prisoners. The girls and
young ladies of the party were placed in their midst, their faces
having been intentionally smeared in order to give them the appearance
of being of the poorest class. As they reached the Golden Gate the
daughter of a magistrate, who was one of the party, was suddenly
seized and carried off by a crusader. Her father, who was weak and
old, and wearied with the long walk, fell, and was unable to do
anything but cry for assistance. Nicetas followed and called the
attention of certain soldiers who were passing, and after a long and
piteous appeal, after reminding them of the proclamation which had
been made against the violation of women, he ultimately succeeded in
saving the maiden. The entreaties would have been in vain if the
leader of the party had not at length threatened to hang the offender.
A few minutes later the fugitives had passed out of the city, and fell
on their knees to thank God for his protection in having permitted
them to escape with their lives. Then they set out on their weary way
to Silivria. The road was covered with fellow-sufferers. Before them
was the Patriarch himself, "without bag or money, or stick or shoes,
with but one coat," says Nicetas, "like a true apostle, or rather like
a true follower of Jesus Christ, in that he was seated on an ass, with
the difference that instead of entering the new Zion in triumph he was
leaving it."

A large part of the booty had been collected in the three churches
designated for that purpose. The marshal himself tells us that much
was stolen which never came into