Then was the Emperor Baldwin minded to ride straight to

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Messinopolis, where the Emperor Alexius was. And the Greeks of
Adrianople besought him, as their lord, to leave a garrison in their
city because of Johannizza, King of Wallachia and Bulgaria, who
ofttimes made war upon them. And the' Emperor Baldwin left there
Eustace of Saubruic, who was a knight of Flanders, very worthy and
very valiant, together with forty right good knights, and a hundred
mounted sergeants.

So departed the Emperor Baldwin from Adrianople, and rode towards
Messinopolis, where he thought to find the Emperor Alexius. All the
people of the lands through which he passed put themselves under his
rule and at his mercyand when the Emperor Alexius saw this, he avoided
Messl-' nopolis and fled. And the Emperor Baldwin rode on till he came
before Messinopolis; and those of the city went out to meet him and
surrendered the city to his commandment.

Then the Emperor Baldwin said he would sojourn there, wafting for the
arrival of Boniface, Marquis of Montferrat, who had not yet joined the
host, seeing he could not move as fast as the emperor, because he was
bringing with him the empress, his wife. However, he also rode forward
till he came to Messinopolis, by the river, and there encamped, and
pitched his tents and pavilions. And on the morrow he went to speak to
the Emperor Baldwin, and to see him, and reminded him of his promise.

"Sire," said he, "tidings have come to me from Salonika that the
people of the land would have me know that they are ready to receive