Page:The Fall of Constantinople.djvu/368

 350 THE FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE. unimportant, change of tactics had been suggested bv the assault on the 9th. Each transport had been assigned to a separate tower. The number of men who could fight from the gangways or platforms thrown out from the tops had been found insufficient to hold their own against the defenders. The modified plan was, therefore, to lash together, opposite each tower to be attacked, two ships, containing gangways to be throw^n out from their tops, and thus concentrate a greater force against each tower. Probably, also, the line of attack was considerably shorter than at the first assault. On Monday morning, the 12th, the assault was renewed. The second ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ cmpcror had been pitched near the assauiu monastery of Pantepoptis," one of many which were in the district of the Petrion, extending along the Golden Horn from the palace of Blachern, about one fourth of its length. From this position he could see all the movements of the fleet. The walls were covered with men who were ready again to fight under the eye of their emperor. The assault commenced at dawn, and continued wuth the utmost fierceness. Every available Crusader and Venetian took part in it. Each little group of ships had its own special portion of the walls, with its towers, to attack. The besiegers during the first portion of the day made little progress, but a strong north wind sprang up, which enabled the vessels to get nearer the land than they had previously been. Two of the trans- ports, the Pilgrim and the Parvis^ lashed together, succeed- ed in throwing one of their gangways across to a tower in the Petrion, and opposite the position occupied by the em- peror."" A Venetian, and a French knight, Andre d'Urboise, immediately rushed across and obtained a foothold. They were at once followed by others, who fought so well that the defenders of the tower were either killed or fied. The ex- ample gave new courage to the invaders. The knights who ^ The remarkable chnrcli of this monastery still exists as a mosque, and is known as *' Eski imaret Mahallasse." It still bears witness to its having been arranged for both monks and nuns. It is on the Fourth Hill, just above the Phanar. ^ Nicetas, p. 753.