Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/288

260 became such as to render prompt measures necessary for the security of that point. D’Aubusson therefore commenced the construction of a retrenchment. For this purpose he levelled the houses in rear of the breach, sank a deep ditch in a semicircular direction, and behind this new obstacle built a brick wall supported by an earthen rampart and of sufficient thickness and solidity to resist the battering power of the enemy. The work was pushed forward with almost incredible rapidity. The Grand-Master himself set the example, not only by giving directions on the spot, but even by taking his turn at the manual labour. Whilst thus employed he handled the pick and shovel with the same vigour which he imparted to every duty that he undertook. The effect of this good example was soon seen. Not only did the knights and upper classes amongst the Rhodians assist vigorously in the work, but also the women and children; nay, even the secluded inmates of the religious houses joined in the universal enthusiasm, and performed the tasks of ordinary workmen. The result shewed itself in the rapid elevation of a new barrier, which the pasha on completing the demolition of the Jews’ rampart, found encircling its rear, rendering futile all the efforts he had made and the vast quantities of ammunition he had expended.

Up to this time Paleologus had pushed his advances towards the capture of the place in an open and legitimate manner. Now, however, finding himself foiled by the determined bravery of the besieged, he fell back on a weapon common enough in the warfare of the East, but repugnant to every feeling of true chivalry. Considering justly enough that the resistance he was encountering was greatly due to the personal energy of D’Aubusson, he bethought himself of putting an end to that incentive by the dagger of the assassin. He trusted by this means to remove the principal obstacle to his success, and to carry out this nefarious project he employed two deserters, the one a Dalmatian, and the other an Albanian, who had joined his an-ny since the commencement of the siege. Whilst he was developing his infamous scheme with these wretches a despatch arrived from Constantinople, brought by All pasha, in which he was informed that the sultan himself was about to proceed to the scene of war, with a reinforcement of 100,000 men and a