Petrella was only one day's march
from Croia, and when Iskander arrived there he requested a conference
with the governor, and told his tale so well, representing the late
overthrow of the Turks by Hunniades, and the incapacity of Amurath at
present to relieve him, that the Turkish commander agreed to deliver up
the place, and leave the country with his troops, particularly as the
alternative of Iskander to these easy terms was ever conquest without
quarter. And thus, by a happy mixture of audacity and adroitness, the
march of Iskander throughout Epirus was rather like a triumph than a
campaign, the Turkish garrisons imitating, without any exception, the
conduct of their comrades at Petrella, and dreading the fate of their
comrades at the capital. In less than a month Iskander returned to
Epirus, having delivered the whole country from the Moslemin yoke.
Hitherto Iskander had heard nothing either of Hunniades or Nicaeus. He
learnt, therefore, with great interest, as he passed through the gates
of the city, that the Prince of Athens had arrived at Croia the
preceding eve, and also that his messenger had returned from the
Hungarian camp.
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