Conrad III and his men camped and went to sleep at Choirobakchoi by the little stream Melas. In the night there was a rainstorm and the Melas turned into a raging torrent, sweeping away many German knights, horses, weapons, supplies and possessions of all kinds, though his army remained huge. This was seen by some Byzantines as a splendid miracle of the Theotokos. After these losses he was rather chastened by helplessness before the wrath of God and puzzled that even the elements supported his enemies. He grieved and became a little less proud. After the flood he was consoled by aristocrats sent by Manuel I, and was invited to discussions. His request that Manuel himself come out to meet him was ignored