Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/434

402 Master Dupont was also requesting assistance in the same direction. The emperor, therefore, was induced to undertake an enterprise with the object of establishing a friendly power in the neighbourhood of Tripoli, in lieu of that of the dreaded Barbarossa. This expedition he determined on directing in person, and the whole power of his empire was laid under contribution to insure its successful prosecution. The army was composed of contingents from Italy, Germany, and Spain, whilst the fleet, commanded by Andrew Doria, the greatest naval officer of the age, was numerous and well equipped. The knights of St. John contributed to the force, four large galleys, eighteen smaller vessels, and the great carrack of the Order.

The army, which numbered 30,000 men, lauded without opposition on the shore of Tunis, in close proximity to the fort of Goletta. This work was now garrisoned by 6,000 Turks, under the command of a renegade Jew named Sinan, the most able and daring of Barbarossa’s lieutenants. The siege was opened in form, and after its ramparts had been duly breached, it was carried by storm, the knights as usual occupying the van, and rivalling their ancient fame by the valour with which they headed the assaulting columns, and seized the obstinately defended breach.

Barbarossa was both surprised and dismayed at the loss of this bulwark. Garrisoned as it was by the flower of his army, and defended by so daring a spirit as his lieutenant Sinan, he thought it impregnable. Now that it had fallen, the road to Tunis lay entirely open to the conqueror. The whole of Barbarossa’s fleet, together with an enormous accumulation of military stores, fell, by this success, into the hands of Charles, who, as he entered the fort, turned to Muley Hassan, then in attendance on him, and said, “Here is the gate open for you by which you shall return to take possession of your kingdom.”

Barbarossa had assembled a large force, principally composed of Moors and Arabs from the neighbouring tribes, but he soon found that little confidence was to be placed either in their valour or fidelity. With such an army he considered that it would be unwise to attempt a defence of Tunis, or to await the