HISTORY OF MALTA.

39

and resignation, the dangerous mission with which he was charged:but he represented, at the same time, that there was very little re-liance to be placed upon a troop of peasants shut up in a city, whonaturally were fearful of danger, and who were insensible to theshame annexed to those who avoid it ; that, in the present circum-stance, the governor was in want of intrepid men, who were led onto action by motives of religion and principles of honour: in aword, that, in order to save the city, it would at least be necessaryto send one hundred knights to its relief. The courageous Ville-gagnon, whose frankness had frequently offended Omedes, couldobtain nothing from the grand-master; who, wearied with suchsolid remonstrances, bluntly answered, “ That he expected courageand obedience, and not reasons, from a knight: that if he wereafraid, it would be easy to find others, who would think themselveshonoured by such a commission/’ Villegagnon, piqued at a replywhich seemed to strike at his honour, instantly said : “I will pre-sently show you, sir, that an idea of fear never made me avoiddanger.” Upon which he immediately departed, accompanied bysix French knights, his particular friends; and in order to reach thecity before day-break, they threw themselves, without saddles andbridles, upon some horses which were grazing in the moats of thecastle, and thus arrived near the besieged town. In the darknessof the night they glided to the bottom of the wall, and having madethe proper signals, a rope was thrown over, by which they all seven,together with their guide, entered the fort without being perceivedby the enemy.