Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/390

360 scene, followed by his body-guard. He had been engaged in the celebration of mass in the chapel of St. Mary of Victory. The alarm caused by the explosion arose at the moment when the officiating priest had intoned the prayer, “Deus in adjutorium meum intende.” “I accept the augury,” said the Grand-Master, and turning to his followers, he exclaimed, “Come, my brethren, let us exchange the sacrifice of our prayers and praises for that of our lives, and let us die, if God so wills it, in defence of our religion.” Roused by this noble exhortation, they rushed to the scene of strife, hurled themselves into the midst of the contending battalions, and in a little while carried all before them. Foremost in the fray was L’Isle Adam, his gigantic frame conspicuous amidst his compeers, as, armed with a short pike, he dashed at the foe, and by word and deed encouraged his followers to drive hack the invading Moslem. A few moments of desperate strife sufficed to attest the superiority, both moral and physical, of the knights of St. John. Cowering under the withering storm, the Turks, no longer able to advance, nor even to maintain themselves upon the ground already gained, gradually gave way, and were driven back in confusion through the breach which they had so shortly before entered in triumph. Mustapha pasha, whose division had furnished the assaulting columns, was watching the fortunes of the day from the advanced trenches, and had been congratulating himself with the idea that Rhodes was won. He was not permitted to indulge long in this pleasant dream, and his fury as he beheld his receding battalions fleeing tumultuously from the scene of strife knew no bounds. Hastily drawing his scimitar he rushed upon the foremost of the fugitives, and in the vehemence of his rage cut down several with his own. hand, and thus checked the flight. Rallying the remainder he led them hi person once more to the attack, and the struggle was again renewed. The advantage, however, had now been lost, so that it was not possible even for the valour of Mustapha to restore the fortunes of the day. Bravely he strove to penetrate within the ruined rampart, but in vain. The breach was now crowned by those who were well able to maintain it, and the baffled and discomfited columns of the Moslem were eventually