Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/691

Rh George and St. Julian yielded without resistance. By ten o’clock in the morning the whole outlying country was in the hands of the French, and all the detached forts, with the solitary exception of St. Lucian’s tower, in the Marsa Scirocco, had yielded to them. By noon 15,000 men had landed, and the heads of their columns had advanced close to the defences on the side of the Cottonera lines. Several knights, who had been taken prisoners during this operation, were brought before Bonaparte, who expressed himself highly indignant at finding Frenchmen in arms against their country. lie is reported to have said, “How is it that I am destined constantly to meet with knights who have taken up arms against their country? I ought to give directions to have you all shot. How could you believe it possible that you could defend yourselves with a few wretched peasants against troops who have conquered the whole of Europe?” Notwithstanding this outburst of anger, he gave instructions that the prisoners should be well treated, nor had they eventually anything to complain of on that score.

Treachery and panic had all this time been working their way within the town. Von Hompesch, instead of endeavouring to restore discipline and confidence, remained buried in his palace in the company only of a single aide-de-camp; he did not even name a lieutenant to aid him in the juncture. The commanders of the various posts, unwilling to take upon themselves the responsibility of action, remained passive, and the French were permitted to assume their positions unmolested. At length a feeble attempt was made to check the advance of the French by a sortie; but the Maltese regiment, which was sent out for this purpose, having been received by the enemy with a heavy fire, soon gave way, and retreated into the town in such confusion that they suffered the loss of their standard. At the same time a knight named de Soubiras made a diversion with a small fleet of galleys, with which he left the grand harbour. On approaching the spot where the French were still continuing their disembarkation he opened fire, but was speedily forced to retire without having rendered any effectual opposition to the operation.

Before night the division under Desaix had invested the Cottonera lines and fort Ricasoli, whilst Baragitay d’Hilliers