FROM ZARA TO CORFU. 297 still existed. All were weary of inaction, and wished to bo on their way to fight the common enemy. If Alexis should arrive the army would then learn that the leaders proposed to divert the enterprise from its lawful purpose. According- ly, evei-y effort was made to send the Crusaders a stage far- ther before his arrival. On the Tth of April the army left zara de- ^lic city of Zara and prepared to embark. The Ye- Btroyed. nctiaus dcstroycd its walls, towers, and palaces, and razed the city to the ground.' The army and its convoy set sail from Zara for Corfu on Army leaves the 20th of April. Dandolo and Boniface had ar- for Corfu. ranged to remain behind to await the arrival of Alexis. Two galleys were left for their use. The pretender arrived on the 25th of April, five days after the date which had been appointed. Without loss of time the two leaders and their charge embarked to follow the expedition. On their way they called at Durazzo, where a demonstration was made in favor of young Alexis. The inhabitants surrendered the city and swore fealty to him. On May 4 they arrived at Corfu. They found the army already encamped before the town. Every opportunity was taken to impress the Crusaders with the importance of having with them the "lawful heir," as Boniface called Alexis. Every possible honor and mark of respect was shown to him. Ilis tent was pitched in the midst of the army, near to that of Boniface, who assumed from this time forward the part of his protector and guardian. The arrival of Alexis rendered all further attempts at con- cealment useless, because it was now necessary formally to submit the change of plan to the approval of the host. It was clear to every man that the leaders intended that the ex- pedition to Egypt should be postponed till the young man now among them was placed upon the throne of the Xew Eome. The pretence was still kept up that after this was accomplished the army would go upon its appointed mission. The great mass even of those who approved, and even per- haps some of the leaders themselves, believed that such a ^ Anon. Ilalberstadt, p. 14. Exuv. Sac. i. '• Devastatio," p. 88.
