Then a cry was raised in the host, and our people ran together from
all sides, and drove back the foe with great fury, so that many were
slain and taken. And some of them did not go back to the tower, but
ran to the barges by which they had come, and there many were drowned,
and some escaped.

39

As to those who went back to the tower, the men of our host pressed
them so hard that they could not shut the gate. Then a terrible fight
began again at the gate, and our people took it by force, and made
prisoners of all those in the tower. Many were there killed and taken.

ATTACK ON THE CITY BY LAND AND SEA

So was the tower of Galata taken, and the port of Constantinople won
by force. Much were those of the host comforted thereby, and much did
they praise the Lord God; and greatly were those of the city
discomforted. And on the next day, the ships, the vessels, the galleys
and the transports were drawn into the port.

Then did those of the host take council together to settle what thing
they should do, and whether they should attack the city by sea or by
land. The Venetians were firmly minded that the scaling ladders ought
to be planted on the ships, and all the attack made from the side by
the sea. The French, on the other hand, said that they did not know so
well how to help themselves on sea as on land, but that when they had
their horses and their arms they could help themselves on land right
well. So in the end it was devised that the Venetians should attack by