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HISTORY OP MALTA.

being much superior to those of the order, attacked and took threegalleys; he also ran the admiral’s galley aground at the foot of thetower of Manchiaro in Sicily. This fatal event greatly diminishedthe squadron of the order, which, at the battle of Lepanto (1571),only consisted of three galleys. They fought, however, mostgloriously on that memorable day. The St. Stephen was closelyattacked by three Turkish galleys, and was in the greatest danger ofbeing taken; but the admiral’s galley fortunately came to her as-sistance, and soon forced two of the enemy’s vessels to strike. Thethird was on the point of doing the same, when Ucchiali broughtup four other galleys, and a most bloody action took place, in whichthe Bailli de Spar, commander of the land forces, was slain, and theadmiral’s galley fell at last into the hands of the infidels, who imme-diately brought forward their seven shattered galleys, and towed heroff’ in triumph. Their success was, however, of short duration ; forthe cruel fate of the admiral’s galley inspired the knights and theircrews with fresh courage, and they attacked Ucchiali with re-doubled fury. The vessel was defended with obstinacy, and at-tacked with unparalleled perseverance; nor was the banner ofSt. John once more hoisted on the admiral’s galley, till Ucchiali hadseen the bravest of his men drop by his side, and been informed ofthe death of his lieutenant Caragiali. The Turks lost thirty thou-sand men in that celebrated battle; their general was killed ; twoof his sons taken prisoners ; together with five thousand officers andsoldiers. Twenty thousand Christians were liberated from slavery.The infidels also lost a hundred and forty galleys, independent of