Page 355 - A Knight of the White Cross

Astonished and delighted at the reward, which represented a very large sum
in those days, the sailor stammered his thanks, and added, "I hope tonight

that if I again have charge of a fire ship, I may be able to do more to prove
to your Highness how grateful I am for the gift."

Throughout the day preparations for the defence of St. Nicholas went on
unceasingly. Gangs of men, as usual, worked in the breach; but, as it was

deemed advisable that there should be no outward show of activity that
would lead the Turks to suspect that their design had been discovered,

neither reinforcements of men nor munitions were sent along the mole;
everything being taken out by boats, which, rowing closely along under the
wall, were hidden from the view of the Turks. Barrels of Greek fire and

pitch, cauldrons for heating the latter, a store of firewood, great balls of
cotton steeped in oil and turpentine, sheaves of darts, spikes on short staves,

that were, after darkness fell, to be thrust in among the fallen masonry to
form a chevaux-de-frise -- these, and all other matters that the ingenuity of
the defenders could suggest, were landed at the water gate of the fort, while

the garrison was strengthened by the addition of a large number of knights.
Stores of ammunition were collected in readiness at all the batteries that

commanded the mouth of the outer port, and by sunset D'Aubusson felt that
everything that was possible had been done to meet the impending storm.

At midnight the Turkish preparations were complete. The attack by the
bridge was to be assisted by a large number of boats and other craft, and

many armed galleys were also brought up to destroy or tow away the
defenders' fire ships. Paleologus himself was down by the shore directing
the preparations. Some of his best troops were placed upon the floating

bridge, and, when all was ready, the order was given to pull upon the rope.
No sooner, however, did the strain come upon it than there was a jerk, the

rope slackened, and it was at once evident that the anchor had been
discovered and the well laid plan disconcerted. Paleologus was furious, but,
believing that the attack he had arranged would still be irresistible, he

ordered a number of boats to take the bridge in tow, while a still larger
force was to make a direct attack upon the breach. The movement was to be

conducted as silently as possible until it was discovered, and then a dash
forward was to be made.