dolo, though more than ninety years of age and nearly-blind, consecrated what might remain to him of life to the pious work, and multitudes imitated his self-devotion. The treaty was concluded, transcribed on parchment, attest-ed with oaths and seals, and despatched to Rome for the approbation of the pope. Villehardouin repaired to France with the news of the success of his embassy. The gallant Thibaut sprang from his bed of sickness, called for his war-horse, summoned his vassals, and declared his intention to set off immediately upon the pilgrimage. The exertion was too great for his feeble frame ; he sank fainting in the arms of his attendants, and expired in the act of distribut-ing among his feudatories the money he had designed for the Holy "War. A new leader was then to be chosen, and the lot finally fell upon Boniface of Montserrat, younger brother of the celebrated Conrad, Marquis of Tyre. CHAPTER II. " ni laugh and I'll sing though my heart may bleed, And join in the festive train, And if I survive it ril mount my steed And off to the wars again." IN the spring of the year 1202, the crusaders being join-ed by numbers from Italy and Germany, arrived at Yenice. " On the Sunday before they were ready for embarkation, a great multitude assembled in the place of St. Mark. It was a high festival, and there were present the people of the land, and most of the barons and pilgrims. Before high mass began, the Doge of Yenice, who was named Henry Dandolo, mounted the pulpit, and spoke to the peo-ple, and said to them, ' Signors, there have joined them-selves to you the best nation in the world, and for the greatest business that ever men undertook ; and I am an old man and a feeble and should be thinking of rest, and 284 HEROINES OF THE CRUSADES.