96 THE HISTORY OP THE ORDER OF [book IV.

the multitude of Christians, one an assistant gunner,and the other a Greek sailor—so neither of themeven private soldiers, but of a still lower class—deserted at that solemn moment to save their vilelives. Finally Mustapha, seeing the unconquerablespirit, and that even women and children foughtlike stout men, yet fearing to return to Constan-tinople without accomplishing what Solyman hadordered, resolved to stay the whole winter, andstarve the besieged out.

To this Piali would not consent, but openlyprotested he would return home with his fleet,before the bad season came on and would take allthe marines, and recall them from the land force,for that for them he was responsible, which someimpute to jealousy . 1 Notwithstanding internalagitation, which he only revealed to a few friendlyadvisers, Mustapha assumed a smiling face, andmounting his horse, assured his troops they hadonly to continue the assault for the next night andday, and that the worn-out Giaours could not butyield; to which the Spahis and Janissaries repliedthey were fatigued, and that it was clearly the willof God Malta should not be taken by the Turk.On which, Emirs, Dervishes, Moolahs, and Moors,asked to have the honour of leading next morn-1 Bosio : par. iii. 647.