days of strife and nights of vigil, every hope of rescue abandoned, that little band of heroes stood once again and for the last time consecrating themselves, their lives and their swords, to the defence of their faith and of their Order. It is only within the last few years that this chapel has been discovered. Until recently, it was supposed that a building now used as a school in the centre of the fort had been the scene of this touching incident. That structure, however, shows by its armorial bearings and other decorations that it is of considerably later date. The newly-discovered original chapel is a little casemate, on the right of the entrance. It has no light except what is derived from an open archway at the back. There are recesses for two altars, one at the back of the casemate, and the other in the centre of the left side. Enough remains of the altar and of the ecclesiastical decorations to mark its original purpose. These had all been covered in, and an intermediate floor had hidden its roof. It is now once more restored, and forms an object of the deepest interest to those who know its history. [1]
The religious ceremony concluded, they proceeded to take such measures as were still within their power to retain the post until the last moment, and then to sell their lives dearly. Such of their number, and they were by no means a small proportion, as were too severely wounded to stand, caused themselves to be conveyed in chairs to the breach, where, sword in hand, and with their face to the foe, they prepared to meet their fate.
- ↑ This discovery was made by General Montague, of the Royal Engineers, who carried out the restorations that have been effected. The following fact connected with the chapel, though having no direct bearing on the history of the Order of St. John, may not be without interest. General Sir Ralph Abercrombie having been killed in the battle of Alexandria in the year 1801, his body was brought to Malta, where it was interred outside and beneath the walls of St. Elmo. This ground was afterwards taken into the general line of the fortifications, and the vault where Abercrombie lay was embraced in the salient of what was, for that reason, called Abercrombie’s bastion. Alterations in the work necessitated the disturbance of his remains, and the author was employed to superintend the operation. On opening the vault the lead coffin was found in good preservation, excepting that the joints had somewhat given way at head and foot. It was placed in a new oak coffin prepared for the purpose, and taken to the little chapel in St. Elmo above referred to, where it lay for several days until a new resting-place was prepared for it.
