36

HISTORY OF MALTA.

action, still maintained, as usual, the post of honour. They com-posed the rear-guard, embarked the last, and were fiercely pur-sued by the Moorish cavalry.

The coasts of Africa were destined soon to receive a secondvisit from the knights of Malta, who conducted themselves in thesame glorious manner, and fortunately with more success.

Africa, a powerful city, with a considerable fortress, where thecelebrated corsair Dragut, who reigned over a great extent ofcountry, kept his principal forces, was besieged by the Christians*.The knights of Malta, for a great length of time, had possessed theexclusive privilege of heading all attacks : but the emperor's troops,commanded by the son of the viceroy of Naples, and likewise bythe viceroy of Sicily, determined to have the sole honour of takingthe place by assault. They therefore commenced the attack withoutacquainting the knights with their intention: but they were re-pulsed with great loss, which would have been still more conside-rable, had not the Maltese troops flown to their relief.

The bailiff de la Sangle, who some time afterwards was-chosengrand-master, commanded upon this occasion. Though exposedto all the dangers of war, he regarded hospitality as his first duty;and contrived a kind of hospital and infirmary in his tents, wherethe sick and wounded were received and properly treated. Theother knights followed his example:—they attended the sick inturns; and were admired throughout the army, not only for their

* 1550 ,