Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/289

Rh new park of artillery. It is more than probable that this intelligence was completely false, still it attained its object in raising the enthusiasm of the besiegers. The two deserters. in furtherance of their project, presented themselves at one of the gates of the city, with a plausible tale of having been captured during a sortie, and of having just succeeded in making their escape. This story met with ready credence, and they were welcomed back into the town with the warmest congratulations. Their first step was to spread the intelligence of the expected arrival of the sultan with overwhelming reinforcements, a piece of news which, according to their intention, created the utmost dismay amongst the defenders.

Certain knights of the Italian and Spanish langues carried their terror so far as to form a plot for the purpose of compelling the Grand-Master to surrender before the arrival of Mahoniet. With this view they secured the co-operation of one of his secretaries, an Italian, named Pilelfo, who undertook to be their mouthpiece. D’Aubusson, upon hearing from his secretary what was passing, summoned the malcontents into his presence. With cutting sarcasm he informed them that since they were in such terror of the Moslem sultan they had his permission to leave the town, and that he himself would secure their safe departure. “But,” added he, “if you remain with us speak no more of surrender, and rest assured that if you continue your cabals you shall meet with the fate you so justly merit.” This combination of raillery and sternness had the desired effect, the recusants threw themselves at his feet and implored him to give them an early opportunity of effacing the memory of their cowardice in the blood of the infidel. Filelfo soon discovered that his master’s confidence had been withdrawn from him owing to his participation in the affair, and he was much distressed in consequence. The Albanian deserter, who had some acquaintance with him, imagined that he was probably now in a mood when he might be rendered subservient to their scheme. Gradually and cautiously he endeavoured to excite and stimulate the Italian’s resentment at the neglect he was suffering. Finding, as he thought, that he was succeeding in his object he at length unfolded the entire plot, making the most brilliant offers to Filelfo, in guarantee for which he showed