108 THE HISTORY OE THE ORDER OF [book i.

celebrated metropolis, and entered it with allhonours, and every demonstration of joy and publicwelcome. Only it was expected they would dohomage to the emperor, which the Count ofToulouse refused, declaring he had not come sofar to look for a master. Yet by surprise or cunningsomething that could be explained into homage,was worked out of him, and all of them—though anidle inane show. Tancred was the single exception,and he hastened his departure as the only way toavoid taking what at present was termed nothing,but might afterwards be construed into an oath ofallegiance to Alexis. The brave generous Tancredwas right. He was a Norman, and would have nobreath on Norman honour.

Amidst such amplitude of luxury, and a constantvariety of splendid amusements, few of the cru-saders but seemed to have forgotten the Turks;nearly all but Godfrey, who at last asked for boats.And the Latins crossed the Bosphorus, and hadadvanced but a few leagues in Asia Minor, whenthey accosted some slaves who had left Europewith the hermit; and further on, towards Nice, aquantity of human bones told of that slaughter.That unfortunate Christian multitude had neverbeen buried. Wolves and vultures had well con-sumed their flesh. So, in sad silence, the heroes