Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/495

Rh personal interest, created a universal feeling of deep regret, even the stern and impassive La Valette himself exhibiting the most poignant sorrow at his loss.

Whilst Candêlissa had been thus engaged, Hassan had, on his side, made several desperate but futile attempts to penetrate into the defences on the land front of Senglea. Wherever the assaulting columns shewed themselves they were met by an impenetrable array which no efforts could dislodge. The young Algerine exerted himself to the utmost to urge on his followers. lie was mindful of the scornful boast he had uttered whilst standing on the ruins of St. Elmo, and strove hard to accomplish what he had then undertaken. He now discovered, to his cost, that he was fighting an enemy very different in power from that with whom he had hitherto come in contact, and at length, exhausted with his fruitless efforts, he was compelled sullenly to withdraw his troops and acknowledge the bitterness of defeat.

Thus ended this memorable day. Nearly 3,000 of the flower of the Ottoman army perished on the occasion, most of whom were either janissaries or Algerine corsairs, whilst the loss of the defenders did not exceed 250. Amongst these, however, in addition to the son of the viceroy, was the commander Zanoguerra, who fell at the moment of victory. La Valette caused a solemn thanksgiving for this important success to be offered up in the conventual church of San Lorenzo. Mustapha, on his side, felt that still greater exertions wore necessary to atone for the failure. The strength of the garrison being now much reduced, he conceived that he could best take advantage of his own superior numbers by carrying on an attack against Senglea and the Bourg simultaneously. He therefore retained the direction of the siege against the first-named place in his own hands, whilst he confided the other to the admiral Piali. As regards the former, it was found impracticable, owing to the stockade, to rerew the attack on the spur of St. Michael. All further efforts were therefore directed solely against the land front. Candêlissa, whose conduct during the late assault had not raised him in public estimation, was placed in charge of the fleet, with directions to cruise off the mouth of the harbour and intercept any attempts at reinforcement. This