Having suffered the defeat of other generals, Alexios called on Kanatakouzenos, the able man he had recalled from Laodikeia. A major attack could no longer be delayed, so Alexios explained to Kantakouzenos just what was needed; from the pass of Petra he sent him on to Glabinitza and himself returned to Devol. Kantakouzenos reached Mylos, attacked it with various machines, and soon had nearly captured it. The Normans camping across the nearby river Bouses ran to help. This movement was seen by Kantakouzenos' barbarian scouts, who came to Mylos, shouting as if in panic that the enemy were attacking. The false sense of crisis was transferred to the troops, who gave up the town that was within their grasp and fled wildly. Kantakouzenos, having failed to stop them, had them burn the siege engines: in the fire, the boats on the river, essential for enemy movement, burned too. The Byzantines camped in a place protected by water