18 THE HISTORY OR THE ORDER OR [book IV.

culars; that most certainly the Turks, before goingto Barbary, would try to take Malta; that thoughMustapha might delay fighting till he had newsfrom Dragut, in conformity with the sultan’s in-junctions, yet it would be solely not to lose timewhile his galley was going to Tripoli and return-ing, if he had the appearance of only reconnoitringthe fortresses. And indeed the impatient pashahad already unveiled his intentions in a great de-gree; for though the fleet kept at Mugiazzo todeceive the marshal, thirty-five galleys from off therearguard had received a portion of troops at nightin deep silence, and sailing off with them, dis-embarked them quietly at Marsa Sirocco and theCala before daybreak. About three thousand Turks,who kept continually increasing by other boatfulsin multitudes, they were intended to prevent theMaltese from carrying in the harvest, and to cut offthe marshal from re-entering either Borgo or St.Elmo. Everything prognosticated that the firstattack would be on St. Elmo. Then clearly didthe grand master perceive the marshal’s dan-gerous position, and instantly sent him orders toleave the cavalry at Citta Vecchia, and marchwith all the foot into Borgo without a moment’sdelay.

No longer lamentation; too late for that; he had