acknowledged their insubordination, and were readmitted. Other vexations occurred to distress and perplex the councils of the Order. Not only were the various European kings and the Pope unwilling to send material aid to the defence of Rhodes, but they contrived to throw difficulties in the way of the commanders and bailiffs of the Order in their respective countries when they desired to furnish their contingent in compliance with the orders of the Grand Master. So it was, therefore, that there were in Rhodes no more than six hundred knights, and about four thousand five hundred soldiers, to meet the overwhelming forces of the Turks. The townsmen, however, were drilled, and duties assigned to them; the peasants were employed as labourers; mills were repaired, ovens built; the port was protected by new chains, one at its mouth, another further in. Several ships, laden with stones, were sunk at the entrance of the bay, and new guns were put into position upon the ramparts and batteries. What D'Aubusson had been in the former siege, that L'Isle Adam was found to be in this second time of danger and difficulty; so vigorous was the Order after many hundred years of existence, and so capable was it of producing fit men to carry out its principles and do its work, whenever occasion required. CHAPTER XII. Description of Rhodes-Letter from the Sultan-The Turkish fleet arrives at Rhodes-A splendid pageant-Preparations for the siege and defence-A treacherous plot discovered-Arrival of Solyman-His address to his army-Mutiny-Renewed attack --The gunpowder of the fortress runs short-The garrison surprised-Repeated assaults-Bravery and ability of the Grand Master-A desperate attack-Perilous position of the city— Conviction and execution of D'Amarel. "This day hath made SHAKESPEARE. THE city of Rhodes at this time was divided into two parts; the higher town containing the residence of the Grand Master, the convent of the Order, and the houses of the several Langes; and the lower town belonging to the secular population. The whole formed a sort of crescent of buildings, standing upon the slope of the hills of a bay, and reaching down to the shore. There were two ports. At the entrance of the larger stood the Tower of St. Nicholas, a strong work, well provided with artillery of a large size, joined to a bastion towards the city, and connected with it by a curtain which protected one side of the harbour. On the other side was the Castle of St. Angelo, at about one hundred yards distant from the former, and built upon the rocks where, it is said, the famous Colossus had formerly stood. There was also a bastion connected with this fortress, mounted with nine guns, whose fire.completely covered the entrance to the harbour. The smaller port was naturally protected by rocks that ran out from the shore, and artificially by the Castle of St. Elmo, and by a chain drawn across its narrow mouth, which only one ship could pass at a time. There was also a tower with a ditch and three cannon directed towards the entrance. There were many churches in the city, the principal of which was that of St. John, a magnificent building, enriched with most costly decorations, and conspicuous from afar by its lofty steeple. This church still exists; but its ornamentation has all been destroyed, and it is used as a mosque. Many of the houses of the knights and other public buildings also remain nearly as they were, bearing still the coats of arms of their noble occupants. Thus Rhodes stood one of the finest cities of the east, surrounded by a double, or as some say, a triple line of fortifications, strengthened at intervals with thirteen large towers; and outside all was a deep ditch, while at all points were batteries commanding the approach on every side. The names are preserved of those who were entrusted with the command of the fortresses of the respective Langes, Nicholas Hussey being the English knight; the Grand Master himself taking the command of the weakest, and leaving his palace to reside in this post of danger. There were also four knights called adjutant-captains, to whom were entrusted reserve forces, which were to move to the support of any part that needed assistance; the first of these being D'Amaral, who had as yet successfully concealed his treachery, and was not suspected by any. At this time a letter was received from the Sultan in which he said, "The continual robberies with which you infest our faithful subjects, and the insults you offer to our Imperial Majesty, oblige us to require you to deliver up to us immediately the island and fortress of Rhodes. If you do it readily, we swear by the God who made heaven and earth, by the six and twenty thousand prophets, and the four musaphi that fell from heaven, and by our great prophet Mahomet, that you shall have free liberty to go out of the island, and the inhabitants to stay there, without the least injury being done to you; but if you do not submit immediately to our orders, you shall be all cut to pieces with our terrible sword; and the towers, bastions, and walls of Rhodes shall be laid level with the grass that grows at the foot of all those fortifications." This letter was read in a full assembly of the Order, and it was unanimously resolved to send no answer. In the mean time the Greek and Latin bishops, who were in perfect harmony, exhorted the faithful of their respective communions to give themselves to fasting and prayer; and special services and processions were organized to seek the help of God in the approaching distress; in all of which the Grand Master took part, setting an example to all in his piety, as he did also by his courage and untiring exertions. It was on June 26, 1522, that the Turkish fleet came in sight. The feast of St. John Baptist, June 24, was always kept with great devotion by the Order and the people of Rhodes, and its services were continued for some days. The people were at church, therefore, when tidings came of the enemy's approach. The Grand Master having joined in the service, briefly addressed the assembled multitude, and then dismissed all to the stern duties that now devolved upon them. The following description is given by an anonymous writer of the subsequent events of that memorable day :— "As the Grand Master returned to his palace, word was brought him that the enemy's fleet was close at hand. He heard the news with his usual tranquility, and only ordered the city gates to be closed. "An hour afterwards the palace gates were thrown open, and there rode out a brilliant and gallant train. Many knights in armour and scarlet surcoats, the three standards floating over their heads, each borne by chosen men, to whom they had been solemnly |