Page 332 - A Knight of the White Cross

"Yes we shall soon learn something of the quality of their artillery. The
tower is strong enough to resist ordinary guns, but it will soon crumble

under the blows of such enormous missiles. Never have I seen or heard in
Europe of cannon of such size; but indeed, in this matter the Turks are far

ahead of us, and have, ever since cannon were first cast, made them of
much larger size than we in Europe have done. However, there is one
comfort; they may destroy this fort, but they have still to cross the water,

and this under the fire of the guns on the palace walls; when they once land,
their great battery must cease firing, and we shall be able to meet them on

equal terms in the breach. Fight as hard as they may, I think we can hold
our own, especially as reinforcements can come down to us more quickly
than they can be brought across the water."

The next morning, at daybreak, the deep boom of a gun announced to the

city that the great battering cannon had begun their work. In the fort the
sleeping knights sprang to their feet at the concussion that seemed to shake
it to its centre. They would have rushed to the walls, but Caretto at once

issued orders that no one should show himself on the battlements unless
under special orders.

"There is nothing whatever to be done until the Turks have breached the
wall, and are ready to advance to attack us. Every sword will be needed

when that hour comes, and each man owes it to the Order to run no useless
risk, until the hour when he is required to do his share of the fighting."

The time required to reload the great cannon was considerable, but at
regular intervals they hurled their heavy missiles against the wall, the

distance being so short that every ball struck it. After some twenty shots
had been fired, Caretto, accompanied by Gervaise, went out by a small gate

on the eastern side of the tower, and made their way round by the foot of
the wall to see what effect the shots had produced on the solid masonry.

Caretto shook his head.

"It is as I feared," he said. "No stones ever quarried by man could long
resist such tremendous blows. In some places, you see, the stones are