42

HISTORY OF MALTA.

CHAP. V.

The Siege of Tripoli. Insurrection of the Troops. The Capitula-tion violated. Remarkable Defence made bp one of the Servants-of-Arms. The French Ambassador at the Porte redeems the Slaves.The Grand-Master endeavours, bp underhand Contrivances, to ruinthe Ambassador and the Governor of Tripoli. Villegagnon, aFrench Knight, undertakes to defend their Cause. The Ambassadorleaves Malta. The Governor of Tripoli, together with three SpanishKnights, imprisoned and tried. Infamous Conduct of the Judge.Manp Members of the Council courageouslp oppose the Execution ofthe Sentence. Ilenrp II., King of France, demands that Justiceshall be done to his Ambassador. The Grand-Master prevents theVindication being sent to France. Villegagnon discovers that theGrand-Master has suborned the Judge: and attacks the former uponthe Subject in full Council. The Grand-Master is obliged to sign theAmbassador's Vindication, and to commit it into the Hands of Ville-gagnon. New Fortifications erected at Malta. Fort St. Elmo.La Sangle elected Grand-Master. Honours paid him bp the Viceropof Sicilp. The Grand-Master fortifies the Burgh ; which takes theName of Citp La Sangle. Dreadful Ravages occasioned in less thanHalf an Hour, bp a Siphon or Water-spout. The extraordinarpAccidents it occasioned. Dragut makes a Descent on Malta j but isobliged to re-embark his Troops.

XHE capture of Goza induced Dragut and Sinam to pursue theirgood fortune; they accordingly set sail for Tripoli, which was notonly extremely difficult to defend against the enemy, but was leftin a very destitute state by Omedes, who could never be prevailed