right to interfere with our enemies who were travelling in them,
and, without giving time for the question to be discussed, at
once attacked our galleys, and sent a fleet against Rhodes. They
landed on the Island, and not only pillaged the district of Halki,
but, a number of natives having sought shelter in a cave, the
Venetians blocked up the entrance with brushwood, set it on fire,
and suffocated them all.

"Shortly afterwards, another and larger fleet appeared off Rhodes,
and demanded the restitution of the Egyptians and their merchandise.
There was a great division of opinion in the council; but, seeing
the great danger that threatened us both from the Turks at
Constantinople and the Venetians, and that it was madness at such
a time to engage in war with a Christian power, the grand master
persuaded the council to accede to their request. There has never
been any friendly feeling between Venice and ourselves since that
time. Still, I trust that our common danger will reunite us, and
that whether Negropont or Rhodes is attacked by the Moslems, we
shall render loyal aid to each other."

There was great excitement among Gervaise and his companions when
it was announced that Rhodes was in sight, and as they approached
the town they gazed with admiration at the castle with its stately
buildings, the palace of the grand master and the Hospital of St.
John, rising above the lower town, the massive walls strengthened
by projecting bastions, and the fortifications of the ports. Of
these there were two, with separate entrances, divided from each
other by a narrow tongue of land. At its extremity stood Fort St.
Nicholas, which was connected by a strong wall running along the
promontory to the town. The inner port, as it was called, was of