Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/401

Rh terms, of the city, which seemed, as it were, to recede from their grasp as they advanced, to keep the inhabitants long in suspense. Upon the 10th December a white flag was hoisted at the top of a church standing within the Turkish lines, and this was at once answered by another raised on a windmill near the Cosquino gate. Two Turks then advanced from the trenches for the purpose of opening a parley, and they were met at the above-named gate by Martinigo and the prior of St. Giles. They tendered a letter containing the conditions on which the sultan would consent to a capitulation. In consideration of the instant surrender of the town he was prepared to permit the Grand-Master, with his knights and such of the citizens of all ranks as might wish to leave, to do so unmolested, taking with them all their household property. Those who elected to remain were guaranteed the undisturbed exercise of their religion, and were to be free from paying tribute for five years; the churches were to be protected from profanation; and all property secured from pillage. The letter concluded with the most fearful threats if those terms were not accepted immediately.

The council decided on despatehing an embassy to the Turkish camp, and for this purpose selected Anthony Grollée, the standard bearer of the Order, and a Rhodian named Robert Perrucey. These envoys at once proceeded to the tent of Achmet pasha, who, on behalf of the Turks, sent into the city two hostages of high rank as a guarantee for their safe return. On the following day Solyman admitted them to an audience, but commenced by ignoring the contents of his letter, conceiving it to have been beneath his dignity that he should have taken the initiative in proposing terms of capitulation. He, however, added that he was willing to adhere to the conditions therein offered, and required an immediate reply. A truce was agreed on for three days, and one of the envoys sent back into the town to announce the fact, the other being still retained as a hostage.

Meanwhile L’Isle Adam, who was daily looking for succours from Europe, determined on protracting the negotiations as far as possible. With this object he, the next morning, despatched a fresh embassy into the Turkish camp, the real object of which was simply to gain time, but ostensibly to try and