natives
of nearly all Christian countries, and the mode in which Villiers thus
allotted a gate to the defense of the warriors of each nation, gave an
impulse to that emulative spirit which ever induces the soldiers of one
clime to vie with those of another.

The Ottoman troops were disposed in the following manner: Ayaz Pasha,
Beglerbeg (or governor) of Roumilia, found himself placed in front of
the walls and gates defended by the French and Germans; Ahmed Pasha was
opposed to the Spaniards and Auvergnese; Mustapha Pasha had to contend
with the English: Kasim, Beglerbeg of Anatolia, was to direct the attack
against the bastion and gates occupied by the natives of Provence; the
Grand Vizier, Piri Pasha, was opposed to the Portuguese, and the sultan
himself undertook the assault against the defenses occupied by the
Italians.

For several days there was much skirmishing, but no advantage was gained
by the Ottomans. Mines and countermines were employed on both sides, and
those executed by the Christians effected terrible havoc amongst the
Turks. At length in pursuance of the advice of the renegade Ibrahim, the
sultan ordered a general assault to be made upon the city, and heralds
went through the entire encampment, proclaiming the imperial command.
Tidings of this resolution were conveyed into the city by means of the
Christians' spies; and while the Ottomans were preparing for the attack,
Villiers of Isle Adam was actively employed in adopting all possible
means for the defense.

At daybreak, the general assault commenced, and the aga (or colonel) of
the janizaries succeeded in planting his banner on the gate intrusted to
the care of the Spaniards and Auvergnese. But this success was merely
temporary in that quarter; for the Ottomans were beaten back with such
immense slaughter, that fifteen thousand of their choicest troops were
cut to pieces in the breach and the ditch. But still the assault was
prosecuted in every quarter and every point, and the Christian warriors
acquitted themselves nobly in the defense of the city. The women of
Rhodes manifested a courage and zeal which history has loved to record
as most honorable to their sex. Some of them carried about bread and
wine to recruit the fainting and refresh the wearied, others were ready
with bandages and lint to stanch the blood which flowed from the
wounded, some conveyed earth in wheelbarrows, to stop up the breaches
made in the walls, and others bore along imme