man of somewhat austere manner, he exacted from others that which he gave
himself--a whole-hearted devotion to the Order to which he had consecrated
his life. Fearing no man in the Council Chamber, even as he feared no foe
in the field, he ever spoke his mind in defence of that which he deemed to
be right. Proud, with the dignity becoming a man of his ancient lineage, he
merged all personal haughtiness in the zeal he felt in upholding the rights
and privileges of that splendid confederation of knights of the best blood
in Europe over which he had been called upon to preside at the mature age
of sixty-three. There is no instance in history of any man more absolutely
single-minded than La Valette; that in which he believed he cherished with
an ardour almost incredible in these days, and that the sword of the Lord
had been confided into his hand for the utter extermination and extirpation
of the Moslem heresy was the leading feature in his creed. That he had been
advanced to a dignity but little less than royal in achieving the Grand
Mastership was but as dust in the balance to him compared with the
opportunities which it gave him to harry his life-long foes; and he who had
known so well how to obey throughout all his youth and manhood was now to
prove, in the most emphatic manner, that he had learned how to command. In
all those terrible hundred and thirteen days during which the siege lasted
there was none to be compared to him. As occasion occurred this man's soul
rose higher and ever higher; beseeching, imploring, commanding, by sheer
force of example did he point out the way to the weaker spirits by whom he
was surrounded.

To speak of weaker spirits in connection with the siege of Malta seems
almost an insult; these gallant knights and soldiers were only so in
comparison with their leader. Twice during the siege of St, Elmo did the
garrison send to La Valette and represent that the place was no longer
tenable; but Garcia de Toledo, Viceroy of Sicily for Philip of Spain, was
writing specious letters instead of sending reinforcements, and every
moment gained was of importance. Coldly did La Valette remind the Knights
of their vows to the Order, and when renewed assurances came that it was
only a matter of a few hours before they should be overwhelmed he replied
that others could be found to take their places, that he, as Grand Master,
would come in person to show them how to die. A passion of remorse overcame
these nobl