CHAP. II.]

ST. JOHN OIT JERUSALEM.

75

ments could they expect? They died doing theirduty, and had no fear.

The merciless Turk knew they were too weakand wounded a handful to resist, and thereforehis third assault general on a few disabledwretches.

It was the vigil of St. John’s day, their patronsaint. Their resistance was far greater thancould have been imagined. But all their militarystores were nearly out; of circles, or wild-fire,none; and even gunpowder so scarce, they gatheredthe grains of it that might remain in the pocketsof their dead companions. “ Incomparable valour,generosity, high-mindedness,” exclaims Bosio,proud of his order, as they deserved . 1

They were soon but sixty alive. For four longhours did they fight, with no other arms thancommon pikes, swords, stones. Miranda havinghad such a shot as prevented his standing, gotseated on a chair near the parapet, with a pike inhis hands, as if to defend it. Through severalbreaches had the Turks now broken in, and couldtake deliberate aim at whatever seemed to havestill some corporal strength. Then did old BailiffEguaras (he too having been forced to sit from hiswounds) send a command for part of those on1 Bosio : par. iii. 572.