10
interchanging, directed him ever the mountains to a Greek convent, where he might be entertained till the Maltese gallies or men of War should touch there, on their way to the Levant.
In his way back, our author was met by two soldiers of his nation, Smith and Hargrave, who were coming to inform him, that the officers of the gallies and several soldiers, were searching the city and the fields for him. Advising with them how to reach the Julian monastery, St Salvador, where he lodged, they conducted him in at the eastern (the least frequented) gate of the city, where three other Englishmen (of the garrison) were that day on guard, and with them happened to be eight French soldiers, their friends, who also agreed to escort him. Near his lodgings, four officers and five galley soldiers ran to sieze him, when the English and French drawing their swords, desperately wounded two of the officers. Meantime a reinforcement coming from the gallies, Smith leaving the rest engaged, ran with Lithgow to the monastery. At length, the officers of the garrison relieved their own soldiers, and drove back the others to the gallies. Soon after, the general of the gallies came to the monastery, and examining our traveller concerning the fugitive, he made such a defence
