Such was the arrangement, and the shipbuilding began at once.
But disaster after disaster occurred.

The Christian commander sickened and died; a number of Crusaders backed out; others went direct to Palestine.

This meant that the Venetians, who had prepared for a mighty host, incurred immense expenses which could not be met.

As some reparation it was suggested to the small army of Crusaders who did arrive in the city for deportation that on their way to the Holy Land they should stop at Zara, on the Dalmatian coast, an unruly dependence of the Republic, and assist in chastising it.

The objections to this course were grave.