Page:Islam, Turkey, and Armenia, and How They Happened.djvu/116

110 The Sultan prepared for it characteristically on the preceding day by a religious festival, which involved a rigid fast, ablution seven times repeated, the prayer for victory, and a general illumination. As the night approached lamps were hung out before every tent and fires were kindled in various localities. Thousands of lanterns were suspended from the flag-staffs of the batteries and from the masts and yards of the ships, but a deep silence prevailed through the entire camp. The meaning of these demonstrations without the walls was truly interpreted by those within. Emperor and subjects, bishops and priests, monks and nuns, men, women and children, formed processions to the churches, singing supplicatory chants by the way, with the accompaniment of "the holy and venerable images and the divine pictures." Constantine went that night to St. Sophia and received the sacrament.

4. The Fall of the City. Before dawn on the fatal day the signal was given for the attack, and it was obeyed with greatest delight. Column after column advanced in orderly array. For two hours the besieged kept the enemy at bay. Then the Greek commander received a wound which unnerved him, and dispirited by this calamity the defenders' courage failed them, while that of the foe increased. Led by an officer called Hassan, a company of janissaries crossed the ruins in the ditch, gained the breach and mastered the position. Constantine fell in defending it; Hassan, too, was slain; and over the bodies of both the Turks rushed into