Limisso was a defenceless town, the fortifications having been destroyed by the Moslem pirates; and many of the knights, despairing of holding it against them, were in favour of retiring to Italy; but the nearness of Cyprus to Palestine prevailed with the majority, and it was determined to fix the head-quarters of the Order there, in spite of all the difficulties and objections that stood in the way.

The town was rebuilt, the central Church and Convent of the Order were erected, and with due regard to the fundamental principles of the body, a noble Hospital was provided, to receive pilgrims and the sick.

But the exigencies of their position led to a new development of their schemes. The Mediterranean was infested with piratical ships, belonging to the Moslems of Egypt and Barbary, and the knights found that their island home would not be safe, nor their work prosperous, unless they met their enemies upon the sea.

Ships were immediately fitted out, armed and manned by the knights, which began to cruise between Palestine and European ports, conveying pilgrims, rescuing captives, and engaging and capturing the enemy's galleys.

Such was the beginning of the naval greatness of the Knights of St. John. The loss of Acre was almost compensated by the wonderful successes which, for four hundred years, attended the arms of the Order, and rendered its flag paramount in the Mediterranean.

The successes of the Order upon the sea soon roused the anger of the Sultan of Egypt. His vessels were attacked, sunk, or taken; prisoners were released; and the enemy whom he had supposed was for ever crushed at Acre, was seen to be, not only still active and formidable, but inaugurating an entirely new career at Cyprus.

The Sultan fitted out an expedition, therefore, to attack the island, which, in the present defenceless position of the towns, would have been irresistible; but, happily, dissensions in his own dominions prevented his setting out, and his death shortly after relieved the knights from their apprehensions.

The danger, which they had so narrowly escaped, impressed upon them the necessity of guarding against a repetition of it, and the Grand Master immediately set about fortifying the city of Limisso.

He found it necessary, also, to renovate the discipline of his Order. The enervating climate of the island tended to introduce sloth and luxury; and the booty daily brought in by the galleys, enriched the knights and led to extravagance and display.

All these evils were attacked by sumptuary laws, and by reviving the more strict observance of the original rules and constitution of the Order.

A sudden and unexpected event restored, for a time, the hopes of the Hospitallers that they would once more regain their home in Jerusalem.

A new horde of Tartars appeared under Gazan,

who solicited the aid of some of the Christian princes against the Saracens; and the Knights of St. John were once again within sight of Jerusalem. But these successes were short-lived, and the Christian army retired from Palestine.

About this time, a scheme was proposed by the Pope for the union of all the Military Orders into one body. On investigation, however, it was found not to be desirable, and it was abandoned.

Another important event in the history of the Knights of St. John was now coming on. The island of Cyprus was found unsuitable in many ways for the home of the Order. The king refused to allow the knights to acquire land and other property; and demanded payment of taxes, from which they were exempted by the privileges long ago conferred upon them; and in many other ways interfered with the liberty and progress of the Order.

The Grand Master, Villaret, had for some time been looking out for a more suitable locality, and finally fixed upon the island of Rhodes.

The scheme was privately laid before the Pope and the King of France, and received their approval; and to obtain aid for the enterprise without divulging the secret, a Crusade was preached, without mention of the locality of its destination.

Men and money flowed in; the women giving their jewellery to swell the funds.

Villaret now sent envoys to the Greek Emperor, Andronicus, to acquaint him with his designs upon Rhodes, and to request bis concurrence in them.

Andronicus, however, refused to give up his claim upon Rhodes. The island had, indeed, once formed part of his empire, but had for some time been practically severed from it, and independent.

Its inhabitants were partly Greek, and partly Saracen; and were notorious pirates and robbers, infesting the neighbouring seas and coasts, and capturing trading vessels, and making raids upon the unprotected towns.

The island was fertile and beautiful, and an admirable climate rendered it productive of all kinds of grain and fruit. Its name is said to be derived from the roses which bloomed in profusion everywhere, and nearly all the year round.

In ancient times, the inhabitants were industrious miners, manufacturers of arms, and sculptors. The famous Colossus was one of the wonders of the world. There were also academies and schools, and many learned men were trained in them. Rhodians were also famous in navigation.

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But all these arts of civilization had decayed under the feeble rule of the Greek Emperors, and the savage incursions of the Saracen pirates.

Villaret effected a landing on the island, but met with a determined resistance from the inhabitants, who united themselves against a common enemy.

Most of those who had joined the expedition, believing its destination to be Palestine, gradually retired, and the knights found themselves dependent upon their own resources. Money was borrowed in Florence and elsewhere, and men and supplies were

contributed by the houses of the Order throughout Europe; but it was found that a regular siege would be necessary before the principal city could be taken.

The defence was continued with great obstinacy, and with considerable losses on both sides; but on August 15, 1310, the place was carried by storm, and Rhodes was in possession of the Knights of St. John, who thenceforth became known as the "Knights of Rhodes."

Villaret began at once to secure himself in possession of his new dominion. He fortified the city of Rhodes, and sent expeditions to take possession of the neighbouring small islands, which were necessary to his strategetic position, as they afforded shelter to the vessels of the piratical Saracens, and enabled them to make sudden descents upon the main island.

Some of the larger islands were covered with valuable timber; others produced grapes, from which excellent wine was made; others had quarries of beautiful marble. All these islands, and many smaller ones that were little more than rocks, were easily conquered and taken possession of; and castles, watch towers, and lighthouses were erected upon them.

Nor were other matters neglected. Rhodes was constituted a bishop's see, clergy were appointed, and churches built on this and the neighbouring islands. Steps were also taken for the promotion and protection of industry, for the administration of