Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/481

Rh days of strife and nights of vigil, every hope of rescue abandoned, that little band of heroes stood once again and for the last time consecrating themselves, their lives and their swords, to the defence of their faith and of their Order. It is only within the last few years that this chapel has been discovered. Until recently, it was supposed that a building now used as a school in the centre of the fort had been the scene of this touching incident. That structure, however, shows by its armorial bearings and other decorations that it is of considerably later date. The newly-discovered original chapel is a little casemate, on the right of the entrance. It has no light except what is derived from an open archway at the back. There are recesses for two altars, one at the back of the casemate, and the other in the centre of the left side. Enough remains of the altar and of the ecclesiastical decorations to mark its original purpose. These had all been covered in, and an intermediate floor had hidden its roof. It is now once more restored, and forms an object of the deepest interest to those who know its history.

The religious ceremony concluded, they proceeded to take such measures as were still within their power to retain the post until the last moment, and then to sell their lives dearly. Such of their number, and they were by no means a small proportion, as were too severely wounded to stand, caused themselves to be conveyed in chairs to the breach, where, sword in hand, and with their face to the foe, they prepared to meet their fate.