Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/650

614 Contarini, in which he states that in that protracted war the sacred cross of Malta had ever been ready and faithful under all circumstances to the standard of St. Mark, and that the Venetian republic would not be slow in expressing its gratitude for the brilliant and glorious deeds of the Order, which were worthy of the sincerest esteem and love.

The closing event of the war was the siege of the capital, which withstood for twenty-seven months the efforts of the Turks. Irritated at the protracted duration of the conflict, the grand-vizier Achmet had in person led a numerous army against the island, and at once commenced the siege of Candia. Assistance was in this crisis rendered by almost every nation in Europe. Reinforcements were poured into the city from all quarters, and amongst others a body of 60 knights and 300 men arrived from the convent. The defence of the town was maintained with an obstinacy and determination that gained a celebrity almost equal to that of Malta, although it was not destined to obtain so happy a termination. Step by step the Turks advanced and won their way through the advanced posts. The effusion of blood on both sides was fearful, but the superiority of the besiegers, both in men and matériel, enabled them to secure the advantage. At length it was resolved, by a desperate sally, to endeavour to redeem the lost ground. The duke de Noailes, who was in command of the French contingent, undertook this operation, having expressly stipulated that none but Frenchmen should be concerned in it. The sally was attempted in the middle of August, 1669, and failed utterly. The French were driven back into the town with great slaughter, the duke de Noailles was wounded, and his second in command, the duke de Beaufort, killed. The situation now became utterly desperate, and after a long consultation and warm debate, de Noailles determined on abandoning the contest, and leaving Candia to its fate. In pursuance of this resolve he embarked his forces on the 20th August, and set sail from the island.

The Maltese contingent had by this time become so much reduced in numbers, owing to the casualties of a protracted siege in which they had occupied a very exposed post, that they were no longer in a position to continue the defence. They