Page 118 - A Knight of the White Cross

impregnable, but nature did nothing for us; there nature has done
everything, and the castle looks as if it could defy the assaults of an army,

however large. And indeed, it was not wrested from us by force. The
knights, when the city walls were stormed and the town filled with their

foes fought their way down to the water's edge and embarked there, for
they were reduced to a mere handful; and however strong a castle may be,
it needs hands to defend it. Still, it well nigh moved me to tears to see the

Turkish banner waving over it, and to think how many tens of thousands of
Christian soldiers had died in the effort to retain the holy places, and had

died in vain."

"I wonder whether the Turks will ever be forced to relinquish their hold of

the holy places?"

"Who can tell, Sir Giles?" the bailiff, who had come up to the group
unobserved, said quietly. "Certainly not in our time -- not until the Moslem
power, which threatens not only us, but all Europe, has crumbled to dust.

So long as Acre remains in their power there is no hope. I say not but that
by a mighty effort of all Christendom, Palestine might be wrested from the

infidels, as it was wrested before; but the past shows us that while men or
nations can be stirred to enthusiasm for a time, the fire does not last long,
and once again the faithful few would be overwhelmed by the odds that

would be brought against them, while Europe looked on impassive, if not
indifferent. No, knights; the utmost that can be hoped for, is that the tide of

Moslem invasion westward may be stayed. At present we are the bulwark,
and as long as the standard of our Order waves over Rhodes so long is
Europe safe by sea. But I foresee that this cannot last: the strongest

defences, the stoutest hearts, and the bravest of hearts, cannot in the long
run prevail against overpowering numbers. As at Acre, we may repel

assault after assault, we may cause army after army to betake themselves
again to their ships; but, as a rock is overwhelmed by the rising tide, so
must Rhodes succumb at last, if left by Europe to bear alone the brunt of

Moslem invasion. All that men can do we shall do. As long as it is possible
to resist, we shall resist. When further resistance becomes impossible, we

shall, I trust, act as we did before.