Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/331

Rh insignificant post which had been but feebly fortified and slenderly garrisoned. At the moment of attack there was but one knight in the fort, a youth named Paul Simeonis, a member of the Italian langue, by birth a Piedmontese. His gallantry and presence of mind saved even this petty station from the aggression of the Turk. Dressing up all the inhabitants of the place, women as well as men, in the robes of knights of St. John, with red surcoat and white cross, he caused them to line the ramparts in every direction. The corsair, perceiving, as he thought, a large body of the fraternity awaiting his attack, was under the impression that a strong reinforcement had been thrown into the place. He therefore declined the attempt, and returned to Constantinople without a single trophy to mark the prowess of his arms.

The knights shortly after obtained several other advantages over the enemy. Upon one occasion a Turkish fleet of seven vessels, well-armed and fully equipped, having been despatched to the attack of Lango, fell into their hands by a stratagem. Two of these vessels had been sent in advance by the commander of the expedition for the purpose of reconnoitring the island, and had approached so near as to be discovered by the inhabitants. There were at the time only two galleys in the harbour, but these were at once sent out with instructions to intercept the advancing enemy, if pos. sible. They succeeded in creeping out of the harbour unperceived, and contrived to cut off the retreat of the Turks so effectually that these were compelled to run their vessels ashore and seek refuge within the woods of the island. The knights promptly floated their new acquisitions, and having embarked a sufficient crew from amongst the ranks of the garrison, they set sail to the encounter of the remainder of the Turkish fleet, followed at some distance by their own two galleys. The Turks, perceiving their vessels returning, and having no suspicion of what had occurred, advanced to meet them in perfect security and confidence. Great was their dismay when the first broadside from their insidious opponents revealed the calamity that had befallen them. Ere they had well recovered from their surprise, and prepared for a hostile encounter, the two Rhodian galleys were descried bearing