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 FKEQUENT NAVAL SKIEMISHES 285 the emperor and those around him who had gathered in council to meet the new dangers. They were compelled to recognise that this new point of attack, in the very place where, and where alone, the city had formerly been captured, required especial care, and accordingly they decided to send a strong detachment of Greeks and Italians to the north-west corner of the walls at Aivan Serai. 1 From the moment the Turks had gained entrance into the inner harbour they never ceased to harass the city on every side. During the next few days the cannonading against the walls was constant and the efforts to repair the damage equally persistent. Barbaro mentions that on May 1 or 2 it was found that Provisions provisions were running short. The organisation for the Sort at supply of food to the soldiers was defective, and many com- ^eXo? 06 plained that they had to leave the walls in order to earn Ma y- bread for their wives and families. This led to the forma- tion of what we may call a relief committee charged with the distribution of provisions. On May 3, the besieged placed two of their largest guns skirmishes on the walls opposite the Turkish ships in the harbour, ehi^and The Turks replied by placing the two large cannons with besie s e ^ which Coco's bireme had been attacked on the opposite shore to attack the walls. The besieged persisted in their endeavours to destroy the fleet. For a time they did more damage than the Turks were able to effect, but the latter brought other cannon and kept up their firing night and day. For ten days, says Barbaro, Greeks and Turks fired at each other, but without much result, ' because our cannons were inside the walls and theirs were well protected, and moreover the distance between them was half an Italian mile, and beyond the range of guns on either side.' Now that the siege had run into May the emperor and May 3: the leaders were becoming alarmed at the non-arrival of the out < of lg Venetian fleet. The agreement with the Venetian bailey, toXd^ in conformity with which a fleet was to be sent at once to Jf^" 1 1 Phrantzes, 252.