CHAP. II.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

57

manifest death to save the Christian people, andour order, in this case when our liberators are sonear; and therefore this council and I determinethat they must not abandon St. Elmo, even ifthey were alone; but that we will instantly jointhem if necessary, and die with them.”

As to blowing up, they had before been told itwas out of the question, the fortress standing on arock; which however was contrary to what the un-fortunate besieged saw and heard, for severalmines exploded with a smothered noise underthem, and the rock and the fortress both wentrocking, and casks of vinegar rolled about theirhall, and quantities of earth in the ditches . 1

So on Medrano’s return with fresh troops, andsome timber and old sails and other stores, sorrow-ful was the greeting. Horrible the dread of beingburied alive; not even able to fight, but see shakingabout what must infallibly soon fall and crushyou. Not one by any possibility could hope to besaved from that hideous end.

The Bailiff, Miranda, Mas, and most of theknights, frankly and enthusiastically expressedtheir resignation, as well as the new comer, CaptainYagnone; but the rest thought it a cruel sentence,and De la Cerda (with some who consulted their1 Bosio: par. iii., lib. xxv. 550.