30th of April the galleys were recalled from Palermo, whither
messengers of friendship and alliance were despatched in their stead.
Herbert, feeling himself no longer secure in the castle, had recourse
to the old manoeuvre of fomenting divisions, but with no better
success. He despatched Matthew, a member of the family of Riso--which
from consciousness of guilt had allied itself with him--to endeavor to
gain over Baldwin Mussone. Matthew accordingly sought him and in
presence of all the other counsellors admonished him, using the
arguments of a crooked policy, to reflect on the great power of the
King, and that this insane tumult would deprive Messina of the
advantages that would naturally accrue to her from the rebellion of
Palermo. What were the Palermitans to him that he should share their
madness? In what had Charles injured him or his city? "How is it
possible," continued he, "that thou who wast but yesterday loyal to
the King, a friend to us, and the companion of our journey, shouldst
have secretly nourished such hatred in thy heart? and now, far from
restraining the people from rushing to their ruin, shouldst spur them
wildly on? For thy own sake, for that of thy country, return to thy
senses--it is yet time."

But Baldwin, with a clearer comprehension of the honor and interests
of the city, which were identical with those of Sicily, answered him
indignantly, and neither counsellors nor citizens hesitated for a
moment whether to prostitute Messina to the stranger or bid her share
the freedom of the sister-cities of the island. Rejecting, therefore,
these deceptive arguments, Baldwin, in the presence of Matthew de
Riso, solemnly renewed his oath to maintain the liberty of Sicily or
perish, and exhorted him to join in support of the same sacred cause.
In conclusion, he desired him to return to Herbert, and offer him
security for his own life and that of his soldiers, if leaving their
arms, horses, and accoutrements, they would sail direct for
Aigues-Mortes in Provence, binding themselves not to touch anywhere on
the Sicilian or other neighboring coasts. The Viceroy agreed to these
terms, but had no sooner traversed half the strait with two vessels
than he broke them, and full of hostile designs landed in Calabria in
order to join Peter of Catanzaro, who being advised of what was going
forward had embarked before them with his Calabrians, abandoning his
horses and baggage to the fury of the people. Theobald de Mess