Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/304

276 of the situation in the most critical moments; his was the fertile brain whence issued those schemes and devices by which the designs of the enemy were frustrated and their insidious plots checkmated. He had throughout been the life and soul of the garrison. At one moment directing the construction of some new defence, at another wielding his sword in the thickest of the fight; now providing for the security of the feeble and defenceless inhabitants, whose safety was committed to his charge; and then again terrifying and overawing the wavering and disaffected; to each and every one he was the guide and support. Well was it for all that not until he had struck the death-blow of the army which was besieging them had he himself succumbed to the weapon of the enemy. Ferdinand, king of Naples, had despatched two galleys, freighted with succours, which arrived before the island at the very time when the pasha was embarking his forces. Paleologus perceived that if he could only capture these galleys the disgrace of his failure would not seem so complete. He therefore opened fire on them with some pieces of artillery which had not yet been shipped, and succeeded in dismasting one of them. The wind being contrary, they were unable to enter the harbour, and were forced to anchor outside, in which situation they were assailed by some of the ships of the Turkish squadron. These galleys had on board a number of knights of the Spanish and Italian langues who headed the defence, which was successfully made, to prevent their capture by boarding. No doubt the attack was made without much heartiness. The Turks were thoroughly weary of the struggle, and desired nothing more than to be permitted to retire from the island unmolested. The result was that Paleologus failed even in this his latest attempt to achieve something to cover his main disaster, and he moreover lost the services of his general of the galleys, who was killed at the head of the force.

With the exception of Ferdinand, no potentate had raised a hand to give any help to the beleaguered city. Now, however, when D’Aubusson had, with the aid of his gallant fraternity, hurled the discomfited Moslem with disgrace from his shores, a shout of exultation rang throughout Europe. The imminence