holding the sacred host closely, "Good Jesus," he said,"you are here
as my protection. Since I am holding you, let the hope of flight
disappear. I shall enter into an eternal pact with you. I am killed,
and you, God, shall carry out the sacred things we have begun."[111]

Those who were able to escape fled to the city of Civetot. The
depths of the sea received some, who, unable to escape, preferred to
choose their death rather than have it thrust upon them. Others
sought out the mountains and hid among the rocks, while others hid in
the woods. After they had captured or taken vengeance on those they
found outside, the Turks quickly attacked those who were hiding
inside the castle and they set up a siege, bringing wood to start
fire. They lit fires for those who were being besieged, thinking
that the fire would burn those inside the castle. However, in
accordance with God's judgment, the whole force of the fire fell upon
the Turks, and burned some of them, while none of it reached our men.
They continued to attack, however, and the town was captured. Those
whom they found alive they tied up and then, as had been done to the
others before them, they were sent to the various provinces from
which the enemy had come, to endure perpetual exile. These things
happened in the month of October. When the treacherous Emperor was
informed of the disaster that had befallen the faithful, the wretch
was elated with joy, and ordered that the remaining troops be given
permission to cross the Arm of Saint George, and to retreat to the
nearer parts of Greece. When he saw them return to the territory
over which he had power, he forced them to sell their arms to him.
Such was the end of the group under the command of Peter the Hermit.
We have followed this story without interrupting it so that we might
show that Peter's group in no way helped the others, but in fact
added to the audacity of the Turks. And now we shall return to the