Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/301

CHAPTER XI.

1480—1503.

Restoration of the fortifications of Rhodes and recovery of the Grand- Master—Preparations by Mahomet for a new siege—His death, and the disputed succession to his empire—Defeat of Djem and his flight to Rhodes—Departure for France—His residence there —His removal to Rome and death—Last days of Peter D’Aubusson—His death and interment—History of the relic of the hand of St. John the Baptist.

The embarkation of the pasha and his discomfited army was witnessed by the worn-out garrison of Rhodes with feelings of the most lively satisfaction. The inhabitants, after having been cooped up in the town for two months, were naturally overjoyed at finding themselves once more free to return to the homes from which they had been driven by the approach of the enemy. This satisfaction was somewhat damped by the dreary aspect which the surrounding district presented. The devastations committed by the Ottoman army had created a scene of desolation amongst the once happy homes of the Rhodian peasantry most distressing for them to contemplate. The danger from which they had just escaped had, however, been so imminent that their joy at the happy termination of the siege soon overpowered all feelings of grief at the destruction of their property.

Vast numbers of dead bad been left strewn upon the plain by the retreating Moslems, and the first step necessary for the health of the island was to remove these ghastly relics of the late warfare. The corpses were gathered together hi huge piles and burnt; the labour of burying them, owing to their number, being too heavy for the inhabitants to undertake. Dupuis records that on this occasion the women of