to Italy, Stephen was still preaching
at St. Denys, and his young lieutenants were still gathering recruits
for his army from all parts of France--but at length in late June, all
was ready except the last preparations for departure, and Stephen then
sent out a command to his forces to gather at Vendome, a city near
Cloyes, which was not only one of considerable importance, but from
which roads lay in many directions from which bands could arrive.

From that moment every day some new band came into Vendome with a young
leader in command, and was loudly welcomed by the other waiting bands;
while coming across the plains, other groups could be seen marching
towards the city, with their flags and oriflammes waving high, and
their crosses held higher yet. As they drew near the city their songs
could be heard louder and louder until when they reached the city
gates, the words were so distinct that their dialect disclosed the
province from which they had come.

From every province in France they came, bringing with them their
different languages, costumes and peculiarities, and consequently,
there was great confusion and variety in the ranks of Stephen's army,
but though their dialects and costumes varied greatly, the youths were
bound together by a single hope, led by a common aim, as they marched
into Vendome ready to start on their perilous journey.

Like the German youths, they were assured that no vessels would be
needed to take them across the Mediterranean, for had not Stephen said:

"Between waters which are to be to us as a wall on the right hand and
the left, are we to cross the untrodden bed of the sea and with dry
feet will we stand on the distant beach by the walls of Acre or of
Tripoli. We bear no weapons and we wear no armour! The pathway of other
Crusaders may be marked by the stain of blood and the glitter of steel,
but our pilgrims' robes are our armour, our crosses are our swords and
our hymns shall time our march!"

Not all wore the Crusader's grey coat, but all wore the Cross which was
made of muslin cloth and sewed on the right shoulder of the coat. To
place the cross there was the duty of the prophets--as the young
leaders of each band were called. Receiving the cross was the formal
act of enlistment, and proud indeed were the lads who wore them.

At last the latest band had come to Vendome, and fully thirty thousand
children were gathered together there, eagerly awaiting the command to
start on t