Page 312 - A Knight of the White Cross

CHAPTER XX

BELEAGUERED

One morning towards the end of May, 1480, Sir John Boswell was standing
with some other knights on St. Stephen's Hill, near the city, having hurried

up as soon as a column of smoke from a bonfire lighted by the lookout
there, gave the news that the Turkish fleet was at last in sight. A similar

warning had been given a month previously, but the fleet had sailed past
the island, being bound for Phineka, which was the rendezvous where
Mahomet's great armament was to assemble. There could be but little doubt

that the long expected storm was this time about to burst. The fleet now
seen approaching numbered a hundred and sixty large ships, besides a great

number of small craft, conveying a force variously estimated at from
seventy to a hundred thousand men.

"'Tis a mighty fleet," Sir John said; "and the worst of it is that we know
there are more to follow; still, I doubt not we shall send them back

defeated. Our defences are all complete; our recent peace with Egypt has
enabled us to fill up our magazines with provisions of all kinds; the
inhabitants of the Island have had ample warning to move into the town,

carrying with them everything of value; so the Turks will obtain but little
plunder, and will be able to gather no means of subsistence on the island, as

every animal has been driven within the walls, and even the unripe corn has
been reaped and brought in. However long the siege lasts, we need be in no
fear of being reduced to sore straits for food. Look over there. There is a

small craft under sail, and it comes not from the direction of Phineka. See!
one of the Turkish galleys has separated from the rest and is making off in

that direction. It may be that the little craft contains one or two of our
comrades who are late in coming to join us."

"It may well be so, Sir John, for they have been straggling in by twos and
threes for the last month."

"I will get the grand master's leave to put out in one of the galleys," Sir
John said, "for, by the way they are bearing, the Turks will cut the little