Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/129

Rh where the fight was thickest, comprehending at a glance the peril of the situation, directed his marshal to rush with the Hospitallers to the rescue. On they poured like a wave of steel, hurling itself with irresistible force against the advancing Moslems, who were streaming through the now defenceless breach. Never was the white cross of the Order displayed in deadlier fray; long and obstinate was the struggle, the one party striving to retain the advantage they had gained, the other equally eager to drive the foe back beyond the walls. At length the impetuous valour of the knights overcame every obstacle, and the Saracen, still struggling to the last, was once again hurled backward over the breach, and forced to retire discomfited to his intrenchments.

This was the last transient gleam of success that illumined the Christian cause. Innumerable fresh battalions were still at the command of Khaled, and these were poured in constant succession by their determined chief against the enfeebled and exhausted defenders of the town. Thrice on the following day was the city taken and as often regained by its dauntless garrison, yet the loss on each occasion was such as could ifi be afforded, and it became more and more apparent that the place was doomed. Though each knightly warrior stood undismayed at his post, and trod the rampart firm in his resolve that the Moslem should cross it only over his lifeless body, it was evidently the energy of desperation, not that of hope. Beaujeu and the other leaders had no thought of surrender; still they felt that nothing short of a miracle could save them from destruction. What man could do to avert the blow they had done, and now there seemed to remain to them but one last duty, and that was to seal their devotion with their blood.

At length the fatal morning dawned, the sun of which was to set upon the complete expulsion of the Latins from Syria. Early in the day the marshal of the Hospitallers, whose noble daring had more than once been the means of rescuing the city from impending capture, fell at the head of his knights whilst defending a breach which had been made practicable in the ramparts near the gate of St. Anthony. Dismayed at the loss of this gallant knight, Beaujeu turned to Villiers and requested him, as a last resource, to attempt a diversion by