Page 39 - A Knight of the White Cross

men on the Island, and in ravaging a large district, carrying off much booty.
Since then, however, the defences of Rhodes have been greatly

strengthened. Zacosta, our last grand master, laboured diligently to increase
the fortifications, and, specially, built on one side of the entrance to the

harbour a strong tower, called Fort St. Nicholas. Orsini has carried on the
works, which have been directed by D'Aubusson, who is captain general of
the forces of the Island, and who has deepened the ditches and built a wall

on the sea front of the town six hundred feet in length and twenty feet in
height, money being found by the grand master from his private purse.

"At present we are not sure whether the great armament that Mahomet is
preparing is intended for the capture of Negropont, which belongs to

Venice, or of Rhodes. Unfortunately Venice and Rhodes are not good
friends. In the course of our war with Egypt in '58 we captured from some

Venetian vessels, in which they were travelling, several Egyptian
merchants with a great store of goods. The Venetians protested that as the
ships were theirs we had no right to interfere with our enemies who were

travelling in them, and, without giving time for the question to be
discussed, at once attacked our galleys, and sent a fleet against Rhodes.

They landed on the Island, and not only pillaged the district of Halki, but, a
number of natives having sought shelter in a cave, the Venetians blocked
up the entrance with brushwood, set it on fire, and suffocated them all.

"Shortly afterwards, another and larger fleet appeared off Rhodes, and

demanded the restitution of the Egyptians and their merchandise. There was
a great division of opinion in the council; but, seeing the great danger that
threatened us both from the Turks at Constantinople and the Venetians, and

that it was madness at such a time to engage in war with a Christian power,
the grand master persuaded the council to accede to their request. There has

never been any friendly feeling between Venice and ourselves since that
time. Still, I trust that our common danger will reunite us, and that whether
Negropont or Rhodes is attacked by the Moslems, we shall render loyal aid

to each other."

There was great excitement among Gervaise and his companions when it
was announced that Rhodes was in sight, and as they approached the town