Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/477

Rh so open to the fire of that fort could be selected for attack. The determined fanatics, followed by a column of janissaries, had well-nigh effected a footing on the works, when the guns of St. Angelo opened upon them. La Valette, who had been watching the conflict from his post of observation, soon perceived the desperate character of the attempt, and at once prepared to render assistance to the defenders. The first shot was, however, most unfortunate, for, instead of faffing amongst the assailants, it raked the interior of the parapet, and killed or wounded eight of the garrison. The succeeding discharges were more effectual, the storming party were thrown into confusion, the ladders destroyed, and their fanatical leaders having all met that fate which they themselves had decreed should be the consequence of failure, the remainder abandoned the attempt, and retired into the trenches.

Still the main attack continued to rage with unabated violence. Fresh battalions were hurried in succession to the foot of the breach by the impetuous Mustapha, and as constantly driven back with great slaughter. Time after time shouts of encouragement and admiration were borne across the harbour from the anxious spectators who crowded the ramparts of St. Angelo, and as these cheering sounds reached the harassed combatants at St. Elmo, they were nerved to redouble their efforts and to continue steadfast in their resistance. They felt, indeed, that their recent insubordination had, to a certain extent, lowered them in the eyes of their comrades, and they rejoiced in having this opportunity of recovering their good fame. For six hours the attack was sustained, and yet the assailants had failed to penetrate at any single point. At length the intolerable heat, combined with the exhaustion of so lengthened a struggle, rendered further efforts impossible, and Mustapha was reluctantly compelled to sound a general retreat. A loud shout of victory arose from the midst of that heroic band, and a responsive echo came floating over the waters from their brethren in the Bourg.

Great as had been their success, it had been dearly purchased, 17 knights and 300 men having fallen. Chief among the former was the gallant Medrano, who was killed in the act of wrenching a standard from the grasp of a Turkish officer.