Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/121

Rh were so limited, and the power against which he was called on to contend was growing gradually so overwhelming, that almost each year witnessed some new calamity. In the year 1263 the sultan succeeded in obtaining possession of the fortress of Azotus. Ninety knights of the Hospital had been placed by Revel at this post in order to lead the garrison and conduct the defence. One by one these brave men fell beneath the scimitar of the enemy, and it was not until the last of their number had succumbed that Bendocdar was able to force his way into the town. The heroic and obstinate defence of Azotus adds yet another name to that long list enrolled in history to the honour of the Order. Never had the spirit of devotion which they displayed in the sacred cause of their adoption shone with brighter lustre than during this glorious though fatal struggle.

In the succeeding year the Templars were in their turn forced to surrender the fortress of Saphoura, and these losses were soon followed by others of still greater import. Antioch, Laod.icea, and Karac passed for ever from the Christians, and Acre itself was only saved for a short time by the report of anticipated succour from the king of Cyprus, which induced Bendoedar, in dread of another Crusade, to retrace his steps.

The second Crusade of Louis, in which he met his death from the pestilence which annihilated his army, brought no relief to the suffering Latins of Syria. Its course had been diverted into Africa, and there, amidst the fever-breeding swamps of Tunis, it melted away. The efforts made in the year 1271 by Prince Edward of England, though conducted with energy, were equally fruitless, owing to the insufficiency of the force of which he was the leader. Having narrowly escaped death from the dagger of one of the band of Hassassins, that prince returned to Europe, leaving the prospects of the Christians in Syria utterly hopeless. He had, however, succeeded more through the terror of