Note 52 — Chapter VI · THE FIRST CRUSADE.
Reading edition
While they were considering which road was the easiest for their march to Jerusalem, the Crusaders received a deputation from a Christian people, said to be sixty thousand in number, living in the mountains of Lebanus. They offered their services as guides, and pointed out that there were three roads: the first by way of Damascus, level and plain, and always abounding in provisions; the second over Mount Lebanon, safe from any enemy, and also full of provisions, but difficult for beasts of burden; and the third by the sea-shore, abounding in defiles, where “fifty Mussulmans would be able, if they pleased, to stop the whole of mankind.” “But,” said these Christians, “if you are of a verity that nation which is to overcome Jerusalem, you must pass along the sea-shore, however difficult that road may appear, according to the Gospel of St. Peter. Your way, such as you have made it, and such as you must make it, is all laid down in that Gospel which we possess.”
What was this Gospel? or is it only one of the credulous stories of Raymond d’Agiles?