CHAP. II.]

ST. JOHN OH JERUSALEM.

51

fixed the 20th of July for the date he could comewith the succours; but he counterfeited otherfeelings, and only opened his mind to his nephewin a retired chamber. For, alas! his doubt was—could he hold out so long? So he despatchedexpress orders to his two galleys in Sicily, to receiveon board whatever succours his own prior hadready, and to return with them at every risk—even that of going down. 1 In a letter to Toledohe supplicates for even five hundred men, withinan hour, and that he is delighted with CaptainMiranda, whose valour and military talents willcertainly delay St. Elmo’s surrender a little.

Miranda after reviewing it, assured its assembledgarrison that far from wishing . to display anyauthority given him, he came very willing to diein such honourable company; determined to betheir servant to the knights; and to the soldiers acompanion and loving brother; not to exhort themto conduct themselves valiantly, for he knew it un-necessary; but to serve and aid them and run thesame fortune with them. And “ though the placewas small and weak, yet so much the more honour.”And to acquire popularity he hurried off a messageto the grand master that nothing in war was betterthan to try to keep the soldier pleased and content;

1 Bosio : par. iii., lib. xxv. 543.