60 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book IV.

defend St. Elmo as long as any others could, thoughdesperate its condition indeed.

Fifteen knights were sent as aid; and what isastonishing, two Jews volunteered to go and diewith them. 1

Then Miranda had the colours hung out onvarious spots, to make the Turk think we hadreceived great re-inforcements, and cried to ourswith a soldierly speech ,—“ So let me see you sellyour lives dear; and let there be a loud noise ofdrums and trumpets, and several vollies ofmusketry, and some discharge of cannon too, aswild rejoicings.”

But this irritating the Infidels, their battery’sdreadful bellowings were worse than ever. Thegrand master’s consolation at the garrison’s sublimecoming about, was darkly overcast by tidings thatthe two galleys he recalled had come—perhaps, too,with some supplies—and in strict conformity withhis letter, had put into Hayntofecha; but on findingit in possession of the Turks, returned forthwith toSicily. As to Toledo’s succours, they were coming,though delayed; and that viceroy may have beentoo careful. Will they not come too late for poorSt. Elmo ?

An invention of the war in Hungary, under1 Bosio : par. iii., lib. xxv. 553.