Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/478

444 His corpse was removed with all honour into the Bourg, where it was interred in a vault in St. Leonard’s church, set apart for the dignitaries of the Order. The loss of the Turks has not been recorded, but it must have reached a very high figure. Raked as they had been throughout the day by the fire from St. Angelo, and exposed on all sides to that from St. Elmo itself, it is impossible that the struggle could have been maintained for so many hours without fearful havoc in their ranks.

As soon as night had set in, boats were once more despatched from the Bourg with reinforcements, and to remove the wounded. The gallant D’Eguaras was again amongst the latter, but he still refused to leave his post. A most generous rivalry had sprung up in the garrison of the Bourg, each striving to form one of the succouring detachment. Although it was clear to all that the post they sought was almost certain death, the brave volunteers crowded forward, and La Valetto’s only difficulty was whom to select when all appeared so eager. The choice was, however, made,’ and the fort once more placed in as favourable a position for defence as its desperate condition permitted.

In the Turkish camp anxious consultations were held as to the steps to be taken to bring this protracted siege to a conclusion. Dragut, who appears to have been the only commander among the Turks of any real talent, pointed out that so long as the garrison of the Bourg was permitted to keep up a communication with St. Elmo, and to pour in fresh bodies of troops after every assault, the knights would succeed in maintaining the defence. Under his advice, therefore, the headland opposite point Dragut, which forms with the extremity of Mount Sceberras, the entrance into the grand harbour, was occupied, and a battery constructed on it. He also extended the trenches in front of St. Elmo well across the promontory towards St. Angelo, and here he also raised a small battery, which effectually swept the water and precluded the possibility of any boat landing on the rocks beneath the fort.

The construction of these works was attended with great difficulty and much loss of life, the pioneers being fearfully exposed to the fire from St. Angelo. Amongst the casualties was Dragut himself, who was struck on the head by a splinter,