(24th May), which was twelve hundred and three years after the
Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. And there were all the ships
assembled, and all the transports, and all the galleys of the host,
and many other ships of merchants that fared with them. And the day
was fine and clear, and the wind soft and favourable, and they
unfurled all their sails to the breeze.

And Geoffry, the Marshal of Champagne, who dictates this work, and has
never lied therein by one word to his know-

30

ledge, and who was moreover present at all the councils held -he bears
witness that never was yet seen so fair a sight. And well might it
appear that such a fleet would conquer and gain lands, for, far as the
eye could reach, there was no space without sails, and ships, and
vessels, so that the hearts of men rejoiced greatly.

Thus they sailed over the sea till they came to Malea, to straits that
are by the sea. And there they met two ships with pilgrims, and
knights and sergeants returning from Syria, and they were of the
parties that had gone to Syria by Marseilles. And when these saw our
fleet so rich and well appointed, they conceived such shame that they
dared not show themselves. And Count Baldwin of Flanders sent a boat
from Ws ship to ask what people they were; and they said who they
were.

And a sergeant let himself down from his ship into the boat, and said
to those in the ship, " I cry quits to you for any goods of mine that
may remain in the ship, for I am going with these people, for well I