HISTORY OF MALTA.

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he took the field with the knights, and undauntedly exposed himselfto the greatest dangers.

The victory was long deciding; for the Turkish soldiers, whohad been so forcibly dragged into action, so far from exerting them-selves to obtain the victory, could scarcely be prevailed upon to en-gage ; and they had no sooner discharged one volley of small-arms,than, being vigorously pressed by the Maltese battalion, theyshamefully betook themselves to flight. The bashaw, thus aban-doned, and fearing being taken by the enemy, was under the cruelnecessity, notwithstanding his exemplary courage, of following hiscow r ardly troops. Twice he fell from his horse, and twice he musthave fallen into the hands of the Christians, had not some of his of-ficers, at the risk of their lives or their liberty, steadily assisted him,and given him time to re-seat himself in his saddle. The knightspursued the infidels with the greatest spirit; but they w ere so inebri-ated with success, that they no longer preserved either ranks or order,and threw off their cuirasses, to enable them more speedily to over-take the fugitives. On arriving at the place where the Turks wereto embark, the viceroy of Algiers, who was in ambuscade behind thepoint of a rock, rushed out at the head of his troops, and finding theknights and Christian soldiers in disorder, fell upon them with greatfury, killed several, and took others prisoners. Fortunately for theChristians, De Sande arrived with some battalions during the com-bat. These rushed headlong among; the Algerines, carrying all be-tore them, and released the prisoners. The Turks, thus situated, hadno other resource than to embark as speedily as possible. A new'

VOL. II.

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