The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-09-04

allies, who were advancing TO their renei,
! Count Stephen of Charities and the Greek
Emperor Alexius, hearing OF their distress
suddenly rereated towards Constantmople,
leaving them to their fate.
1t was at this iuncture Of affairs, when mis-
cry had levelled all distinctions, and mlred pre-
late and begging iriar, naughty noble and
humble villein, high-born dame and menlal
servant alike clamored for food, that Lombard
priest named Peter Barthelemy, at the sugges-
ton, il is thought, of the powerful and ambitious
Raymond Count of Tholouse, appeared before
the people with a tale which so wrought upon
their superstition, and was either so well Gre
ated or so well seconded by their, leaders, both
spiritual and temporal that it brought back cour-
age to the faintest heart, and made them once
more the conquerors of the Infidel
He asserted that ST. Andrew had appeared
10 him, and, carrying him through the air to the
church of st. Peter, one of the most magnih-
cent in the city, had showed to him the identi-
cal lance with which the Roman soldier pierre
ed the side Of Christ. 1t was buried deep I'M
der the foundations of the building, but The
saint had commanded him to make known TO
the Champions OF the Cross that the possession
of that holy relic would insure them certain vic
tory over Their foes, and, moreover, that it was
TO be consigned to the special keeping of the
Count of Tholouse. He added thai, fearful of
being looked upon as an impostor, he had
hesitated TO fulfil the commands OF the saint, but
the threats Of Divine vengeance had at length
overcome his reluctance.
This absurd tale was received with the great
est demonstrations of great Joy and gratitude,
and the chiefs of the expedition richly reward
ed the man whom, through superstition or
policy, they considered the direct messenger of
Heaven.
The Count Of Tholcuse, with his chaplain
and ten chosen associates, was appointed 10
bring the precious relic from its obscure place
of deposit After spending two days in the OBJ
servance of the religious ceremonies of the
Catholic church, the whole army moved in
solemn procession to the church of ST. Peter,
| but only the chosen twelve were permitted to
| enter its walls.
All day long, the countless multitude wait
edin breathess anxiety for sight of the Heaven
sent treasure which was to work such miracles
in their behalf, but they waited in vain. De
tachment after detachment of fresh laborers
relieved each other at the task of digging, but
without success and the sun went down, and
the moon rode high in the heavens, shedding
her silver ifgnr oeer the FURNISHED arms of the
waiting multitude, but still there was no trace of
a
10 run through the expectarH most. lalnt ana
indistinct at first, like the waking of winds in
the dense forest, murmur that indicated
suspicion OF lmposture. But towards mid
night, Peter Bsrtheemy himself descended
into the pit, and, after an apparent search of a
few moments, cried with loud voice that the
holy relic was found. Instantly, incredibly
was banshed, the murmurs of doubt were
changed into shouts of Joy, and priests, mobiles,
and people, all rushed forward to embrace or
at least catch glimpse of the precious treas
ure.
All their former weakness and misery was
forgotten, and, relying upon this direct interpo-
sltlon OF the saints in their favor, they instantly
dispatched the world-renowned mover ofthe ex-
petition. Peter the Hermit, to the camp of the
combined forces of PersianS and Saracens, not
so much to offer as to dictate terms of peace.
1t is said that so naughty and contemptuous
was the bearing of this monk, that nothing
short OF respect for the sacred character of am
bassador or herald preserved his life from the
vengeance of the insulted foes.
His language was in perfect keeping with
his manner. After claiming that the Crosses
were under the direct protection of God and
st. Peter, who had given them the Holy Land
for possession, he went to offer them terms of
life or death in the most arrogant manner.
If they would acknowledge the will of God,
and submit to the claims of the Crosses, they
might depart in peace with their arms and bag
gage, or, if they would abjure their false and
abominable religion, and consent to be baptized,
acknowledging the authority of his Holiness
the Pope, they might even retain the city
and territory Of Antioch. But if they Were
deaf TO these offers of mercy, if they persist
ed in their course of iniquity and idolatry, then
God himself, by the swords of his faithful and
vowed champions, would utterly scourge them
from the face of the earth.
II was strange spectacle, the figure of
that emaciated fanatic, with his famine-strick-
en-, holow-eyed attendants, standing in the
midst Of that oriental magnifcence that mark
ed the camp of the Sultan, and uttering words
like these.
Astonishment at his audacity for the time
being overcame the rage of his auditors, but
at length the Persian general, Kerbaga, who
| had continued the game of chess during this
TRADE, which the ENJOYS entrance had inter-
rupted, with all the gravity that characterizes
the manners of the East, suddenly sprang to
his feet, and gave vent to his indignation in
words:
Dog OF Christian he exclaimed, I" so
back to your leaders, and tell them that we abhor
| their idolatrous religion and despise their
threats But if they will acknowledge that there
is only one God, and that Mohammed is his
prophet, we will feed and clothe their wretched
bodies. II, however, you dare to propose con-
diions TO conquerors, we will with our swords
humble the pride CT your nation to the dust.
Know that slavery and death is the appointed
lot OF all who presume TO dispute the rights of
the Faithful TO land which they have won
from the efieminate Greeks"
The Hermit and his companions were hastily
and CONTEMPORARY dismissed, and warned on
peril OF their lives to make speedy return TO
the city. Soldiers and chiefs crowded around
the Hermit on his return, TO hear the result of
his embassy, and indignation al the contempt
with which their offers Of mercy had been
treated pervaded all ranks, and they prepared
at once TO avenge the insult The scraps Of
provisions that renamed were freely distributed,
and so confident Were they of victory, that the
horses, only two hundred of which remained
alive out OF many Thousands, received a double
share OF the miserable provender that remained
Nothing was heard but the rafting of aunor, as
they polished their shields and sharpened their
swords, mingled with hymns and the measured
tread Of religious professions. The sacrament
was administered, and the clergy went from
church to church, pouring out blessings on the
troops, and promising remission of sins to all
such as fought bravely in the approaching cou-
| fiict. The leaders scattered largesses of money
among them, and the men who shor. tae pre-
vious had been famine stricken and spirt-bro-
ken, suddenly assumed bold and martial bear
ing, as if the victory was already won.
In fact, every one felt that he was the cho-
sen instrument Of God, and that, assisted by
the sacred lance, he should surely discomft
his foes. All the troops, save the Count of