7 4 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book ill.

thought little of (on a footing with the mere pea-santry, who during the whole siege were onlyused as pioneers, or spades and shovels) but theknights soon learned to esteem him, and goodreason; and more than one Rhodian was admittedinto the order. Caoursinus, Ambassador to thePope, and acting Vice-Chancellor, and though noprofessed knight, compiler of the statutes, washimself a Rhodian, and was voted what wouldpurchase a fitting house for him and family, be-sides other decorous presents, on his taking a wifeafter the siege . 1

Such a small body of Christians against sucha stupendous multitude of soldiery, provided withthe best implements of war then known, nor inany ignorant age, but in that of gunpowder, mor-tars, and cannon—no wonder victory was heldalmost or certainly a miracle. Yet is there nothingof miraculous in D’Aubusson’s relation, nor any-thing unbefitting a military despatch of ourown day.

But the names of the heroes, where are they? Itis not but they are in the book of eternal life;yet why not in this life too, for the world’s ex-ample ? Alas, most of those ■worthy and valiantknights were never known on earth, for the lists

1 Bosio: par. ii., lib. xiii.