army had crossed a stream which separated Hungary from Bulgaria. This was the commencement of calamities. On entering Bulgaria, its inhabitants refused to show the adventurers any hospitality. The cities closed their gates against them, and even the purchase of supplies was prohibited. Such treatment provoked the indignation both of the leader and his troops, and, compelled by hunger, they forcibly took possession of the flocks and herds which they found wandering in the fields. On this the Bulgarians assembled their forces, and, overpowering the Crusaders, put numbers of them to the sword. Walter, however, with his army much reduced, persevered in pushing his way through this inhospitable region, and eventually reached the empire of the Greeks, where he obtained permission from the emperor to refresh his forces, and to await the arrival of Peter.* The Hermit followed close in his rear, with a multitude even less uniform and regular than that which had preceded him. Men, women, and children-all sexes, ages, and professions—many and distinct languages—a quantity of baggage and useless encumbrance, it has been well said, rendered the army of Peter as unwieldly and dangerous an engine as ever was put in motion. It passed through Germany and Hungary, suffering severely in the latter country, in retaliation for acts of violence committed upon its inhabitants. In journeying through Bulgaria, still greater * Albertus, lib. i. cap. vii. calamities ensued. Some German stragglers having a quarrel with a Bulgarian merchant with whom they had been trading, set fire to several mills and houses. The people became enraged, and coming out in vast numbers, rushed first upon the aggressors, and then upon the rear of the main body of the Crusaders. A general conflict ensued, and the army of Peter was defeated and dispersed.* Nothing could now be more disconsolate than the condition of the Hermit. He was compelled to flee to the mountains, and, solitary and alone, wandered for several days through dark and extensive forests, or over abrupt precipices, and in desert places. What now must have been his reflections! His followers scattered, perhaps dead-himself, so lately elated with honour and command, and gratified enthusiasm, a defenceless fugitive-the cause which he had espoused, as far at least as he was concerned, apparently lost! One may easily imagine him, now seated beneath some rugged rock, musing on his own fate and that of his associates-now scaling some mountain top, eagerly viewing the country round, if perchance he might catch a glimpse of any of his companions-his bosom alternately rising with hope, and sinking in despair. At length, however, he accidentally fell in with about twenty of his most courageous knights. His heart revived, and, thinking that others might be wandering about, he ordered * Gulielmus Tyrii, lib. i. cap. xx search to be made in every direction. Signals were hoisted, horns were sounded in different parts of the forest, and in a very short space of time-some say before the day closed -Peter found himself again surrounded by seven thousand of his troops. With these forces, he once more turned his face towards Constantinople. As he proceeded, other bands, which had been separated from him in the confusion of the flight, rejoined him, so that, when he reached the Greek empire, his army is said to have numbered thirty thousand. With these he eventually arrived at the imperial city, where he found the multitudes who had preceded waiting to receive him.* The rude hordes of ruffian adventurers, thus assembled within the walls of the eastern capital, soon fell into the most violent excesses. They even tore off the lead from the roofs of the churches, and then sold it to the Greeks, from whom they had plundered it. The emperor at first had treated them with kindness and liberality, supplying them with money and provisions, but, horrified with these enormities, he speedily hurried them across the Bosphorus, where he advised them to await the arrival of the great leaders.‡ On the plains of Bithynia the people found the most abundant supplies, and here they might have remained in security for several months, most amply provided for. But they * Albertus, lib. i. cap. xiii. + Baldricus. gave loose to every species of licentiousness. The utmost insubordination prevailed, and Peter, feeling that he had lost all command of his forces, returned in despair to Constantinople. One company, quitting their companions in arms, carried their ravages even to the walls of Nice, the capital of the country. Solyman, the sultan, marched fifteen thousand men against them. A battle ensued, in which the Crusaders joined, and Walter, with innumerable others, was slain. Very few escaped either captivity or the sword. The small remnant who survived were rescued at the earnest entreaty of Peter by the emperor. These were conducted, under the protection of his soldiers, to Constantinople. On their arrival, Alexius purchased their arms, and ordered them immediately to return to their country. Such was the fate of the great expedition of Peter and Walter.* But, besides the numerous multitudes who went out under their banners, there were innumerable others, of the same class, though yet more barbarous and undisciplined, who at different times, and from all parts, assumed the cross, and took the way, as it was called, towards Palestine. About fifteen thousand of these, mostly Germans, placed themselves under the command of a priest, named Godescalus. They penetrated into Hungary, where they committed all manner of excesses, which so enraged the * Gulielmus Tyrii, lib. i. cap. xxv.; Albertus, lib. 1. cap. xxiii.; Robertus Monachus, lib. i. king, that he collected a powerful army to revenge the injuries they had inflicted on his people. On the pretext of selecting and punishing the most criminal offenders, he induced the Crusaders to lay down their arms, when his subjects, taking advantage of their weakness, slaughtered man, woman, and child, without distinction. Another, and the last body of these early adventurers, is said to have numbered about two hundred thousand. It was formed on no organized plan, and acknowledged no human commander. It was composed of various bands of all ages, and both sexes, who, having adopted the symbol of the Crusade, came forth from the different countries of Europe, and meeting promiscuously on the road, joined in forming one assemblage. These were animated by a fanatical spirit the most foul and degraded. They carried before them a goose and a goat, which they professed to believe were filled with the Holy Ghost. These they proclaimed to be their leaders, and rendered to them almost Divine homage. They lived lives of the most infamous debauchery, and spread desolation and slaughter on every hand as they proceeded on their march. But the hour of retribution was at hand. The Hungarians, who had suffered so much from the unruly rabble which had already attempted to pass through their territory, were prepared to receive them. They were encoun tered at Mersburg by a large force. At first, |