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HISTORY OF MALTA.

Dragut, enraged at the loss of Africa, together with histreasures and slaves contained in it, which he attributed principallyto the knights of St. John, determined upon revenge: he there-fore presently appeared before Malta with a formidable fleet.Such were the obstinacy and avarice of the grand-master, that theknights were in a most destitute state; notwithstanding which,they never forgot what they owed to themselves and to the order.At no time had they appeared more resolute: and their veryaspect struck their enemies with awe. Dragut commanded thefleet under Sinam, Solyman’s general; who, upon viewing thesituation and batteries of fort St. Angelo, refused to attack it,though ardently pressed by Dragut to risk the assault.

The Ottoman troops proceeded to the coast near the OldCity, which was not only undefended, but filled with miserablepeasants, crowded one upon another, whose despairing state gavevery little reason to expect much from their assistance. Theyhowever applied to Omedes for relief; who refused them, and atthe same time declared, that the whole armed forces of the orderwere not more than sufficient to ensure his own safety. Theperson charged with this commission, cruelly hurt at being forcedto deliver so severe an answer to the commandant of the OldCity, entreated (according to the orders he had received on his de- vparture) that the grand-master would at least consent to send Ville-gagnon the same knight whose gallant actions have already beenmentioned in this history ; and who, greatly flattered with the highopinion entertained of his courage, accepted, with equal modesty