Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/473

Rh fort, he despatched three commissioners to inspect and report on its condition and power of further resistance.

The advent of these knights was hailed by the besieged with the most lively satisfaction, as they deemed it a preliminary step to their being withdrawn into the Bourg. Indeed, they had already begun to make preparations for that event, and when the commissioners arrived were employed in throwing the shot into the wells to prevent their being utilized by the enemy. They pointed out the desperately ruinous state of the ramparts, and appealed with confidence to the inspectors for a justification of their conduct. Two of the commissioners, struck with the demolition which met the eye on all sides, decided, unhesitatingly, that the place was no longer tenable. The third, an Italian knight named de Castriot, was of a different opinion. He stated that although the fort was in a shattered state, and the whole interior exposed to fire, still it was, he thought, feasible, by means of further retrenchments, to maintain it. This unsupported statement appeared to the malcontents little better than an insult, and high words ensued, de Castriot asserting that he was prepared to back his opinion by personally undertaking to conduct the defence. This offer raised such a storm of indignation that a general tumult seemed about to break forth, when the governor, with much presence of mind, caused the alarm to be sounded, on which each one rushed instantly to his post, and the irritating conference was brought to a close.

The commissioners returned to the Bourg, where de Castriot still maintained the views he had already put forth. He requested the permission of the Grand-Master to raise a body of volunteers, with whose aid he guaranteed to maintain St. Elmo against any odds. This gallant offer met the views of La Valette, who foresaw the result that would inevitably follow. Permission was granted to de Castriot to raise his corps, and there were so many applicants that numbers were of necessity rejected. Meanwhile a cold and sarcastic letter was forwarded to the garrison of St. Elmo, informing them of the steps that were being taken, and stating that they would be shortly relieved from their post.

The consternation caused by this letter was great, as every