230 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book in.

the deepest policy, and perhaps nothing else wouldhave had that, however transient, power over thetyrant.

Then the sultan left, and after walking on foot toSt. John’s Church, mounted his horse, and de-scending the long high street that leads from thecastle towards the sea-side, and passing throughthe great square, returned out by the CosquinoGate, to his royal pavilion . 1

Yet had he beforehand given orders to his officersto seize all the Christian ships as soon as laden, andcarry them off to Constantinople. As the rumourwent about, not only among the chiefs but privatepersons, it having reached L’Isle Adam’s ears, hehad to apply to the pashas, and engage them notto break their word, and a capitulation sworn sosolemnly; and, by Achmet’s orders, a guard ofJanissaries were sent to drive the ruffians from theships, which had been provisioned too by the GrandTurk, who likewise insisted that as much artilleryas could be got on board the shipping, . should beallowed, as stipulated. But since he was to departfor Constantinople within two days, the Christianswere desirous of getting under weigh first, lest hispromises should be nowise adhered to by hissoldiery; so many necessary guns remained behind

1 Bourbon : 28.—Appendix, c^ciii.