. The Knights of Malta : or, The Order of St. John of Jerusalem . des, decided unhesitating]that the place was no longer tenable. The third,Italian named de Castriot, was of a different opinio:He stated that although the fort was unquestionablya shattered state, still it was, he thought, feasiblemeans of further retrenchments to maintain it. Tltatement appeared to the malcontents little better thean insult, and high words ensued, de Castriot assertithat he was prepared to back by personalconducting the defence. This offer raised such a stoiof indignation, that a general tumult seem
. The Knights of Malta : or, The Order of St. John of Jerusalem . des, decided unhesitating]that the place was no longer tenable. The third,Italian named de Castriot, was of a different opinio:He stated that although the fort was unquestionablya shattered state, still it was, he thought, feasiblemeans of further retrenchments to maintain it. Tltatement appeared to the malcontents little better thean insult, and high words ensued, de Castriot assertithat he was prepared to back by personalconducting the defence. This offer raised such a stoiof indignation, that a general tumult seemed aboutbreak forth, when the governor, with much presencemind, caused the alarm to be sounded, on which eaone rushed instantly to his post, and the irritating c(ference was brought to a close. The commission*returned to the Bourg, where de Castriot still maintain)the views he had put forth, and requested leaveenlist a body of volunteers, with whose aid he guarantyto maintain St. Elmo against any odds. This gall*offer met the ideas of La Valette, and permission. Monument of Sir William Weston, formerly in St. JamessChurch, Cler ken well. [ To face page 342. THE KNIGHTS OF MALTA. 243 ranted to de Castriot to raise his corps. Meanwhile, ajtter was forwarded to the garrison of St. Elmo, in-arming them of the steps that were being taken, andating that they would shortly be relieved from theirosition. The consternation caused by this letter was great, asreiy one felt it would be impossible to accept the offer ofifety thus ignominiously tendered. They had requestedamission to abandon the fort, but were not prepared to[eld their places to others. An earnest letter was there-ire instantly forwarded to the Bourg, imploring pardon•r their mutinous conduct, and pledging themselves, iflowed to remain at their post, to hold it to the veryst. This was all that La Valette desired, and he felt the)fence of St. Elmo was now safe in their hands. Cou-nting himself, therefore, with sending a fur
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