nothing. "Tell your master," he said, "that if he be desirous of
peace, he must pay me, as an annual tribute, the sum which he receives
from the trade and customs of Constantinople. On these terms I may
allow him to reign; if he refuses, it will be war."

That was in the year 1259. Michael, no putter-forth of empty and
boastful words, prepared immediately for the coming war; so in his
feeble way did Baldwin, but his money was spent, his recruits were
melting away, the Venetians alone were his allies, and the Genoese had
joined the Greeks. And yet Michael did not know--so great was the
terror of the Frank and Flemish name which the great Baldwin, Henry of
Flanders, and John de Brienne had left behind them--how weak was the
Latin empire; how unstable were the defences of the city.

Michael, in 1260, marched into Thrace, strengthened the garrisons, and
expelled the Latins yet remaining in the country. Had he, the same
year, marched upon Constantinople, the city would have been his. But
the glory of taking it was destined for one of his generals.

The Greek Emperor, returning to Nicæa, sent Alexius Strategopoulos,
his most trusted general, on whom he had conferred the title of cæsar,
to take the command of his armies in Europe. He laid strict orders
upon him to enter the Latin territory as soon as the existing truce
was concluded: to watch, report--act upon the defensive if
necessary--but nothing more.

Now the lands round Constantinople had been sold by their Latin
seigneurs to Greek cultivators, who, to defend their property, formed
themselves into an armed militia, called "Voluntaries." With these
voluntaries Alexius opened communications, and was by their aid