Page:The Fall of Constantinople.djvu/112

 94: THE FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE. their grievances, were treated as barbarians and otherwise in- sulted, returned to the mountains, and were soon at the head of a formidable movement. Peter was crowned and assumed the purple buskins, and captured a considerable number of prisoners and of booty. Isaac put himself at the head of his troops and chased him beyond the Danube. No sooner had the victor commenced his march home than Asan recrossed the river, accompanied by a large band of Patchinaks. In- stead of returning, Isaac sent his uncle, John Sebastocrator, to attack the enemy. But the imperial family was full of sus- picion and distrust, and before any engagement had taken place Isaac recalled him, under the belief that he would use the imperial army to obtain possession of the throne. He was replaced by John Cantacuzenos, the emperor's brother-in-law, a man whose eyes had been put out by Andronicos. The blind general soon came to grief. The enemy retired before him into the mountains, whither the imperial troops followed him. A battle took place, where Asan had the advantage of the ground, and in spite of an attempt at a rall}^, in which John leaped on a horse and called on his men to follow him, with- out knowing whither he was going, the imperial troops were cut to pieces. John was succeeded by Alexis Branas, a careful soldier, but Eevoit of ^ ^^^^1 ^^'^^^ ^^^^ already made an attempt to obtain Brauas. ^j-^^ imperial throne. He had tried to bring about a revolution in the capital, like that which had placed Isaac himself on the throne. He had entered the Great Church, had spoken of his services against the Sicilians, and had claimed the help of those present against Isaac. The latter, however, had pardoned him, and now placed him in command of the army. After he had defeated the enemy, he once more proclaimed himself emperor at Adrianople, and set out for the capital. The best portion of the imperial troops was with him. On arriving before the walls he endeavored to persuade the people and the troops to open the gates and to receive him as emperor. This attempt having failed, he drew up his troops and prepared to attack the city. The emperor had already sent out men belonging to the city-guard to harass