The illusion was soon dispelled by the fierce yells which rose on the air from the Turkish armada.  It was the customary war-cry with which the Moslems entered into battle.  Very different was the scene on board of the Christian galleys.  Don John might be there seen, armed cap-a-pie, standing on the prow of the Real, anxiously awaiting the coming conflict.  In this conspicuous position, kneeling down, he raised his eyes to heaven, and humbly prayed that the Almighty would be with his people on that day.  His example was speedily followed by the whole fleet.  Officers and men, all falling on their knees, and turning their eyes to the consecrated banner which floated from the Real, put up a petition like that of their commander.  They then received absolution from the priests, of whom there were some in each vessel; and each man, as he rose to his feet, gathered new strength from the assurance that the Lord of Hosts would fight on his side.

When the foremost vessels of the Turks had come within cannon-shot, they opened a fire on the Christians.  The firing soon ran along the whole of the Turkish line, and was kept up without interruption as it advanced.  Don John gave orders for trumpet and atabal to sound the signal for action; and a simultaneous discharge followed from such of the guns in the combined fleet as could bear on the enemy.  Don John had caused the galeazzas to be towed some half a mile ahead of the fleet, where they might intercept the advance of the Turks.  As the latter came abreast of them, the huge galleys delivered their broadsides right and left, and their heavy ordnance produced a startling effect.  Ali Pasha gave orders for his galleys to open on either side, and pass without engaging these monsters of the deep, of which he had had no experience.  Even so their heavy guns did considerable damage to the nearest vessels, and created some confusion in the pasha’s line of battle.  They were, however, but unwieldy craft, and, having accomplished their object, seem to have taken no further part in the combat.  The action began on the left wing of the allies, which Mehemet Siroco was desirous of turning.  This had been anticipated by Barberigo, the Venetian admiral, who commanded in that quarter.  To prevent it, as we have seen, he lay with his vessels as near the coast as he dared.  Siroco, better acquainted with the soundings, saw there was space enough for him to pass, and darting by with all the speed that oars and wind could give him, he succeeded in doubling on his enemy.  Thus placed between two fires, the extreme of the Christian left fought at terrible disadvantage.  No less than eight galleys went to the bottom.  Several more were captured.  The brave Barberigo, throwing himself into the heat of the fight, without availing himself of his defensive armor, was pierced in the eye by an arrow, and though reluctant to leave the glory of the field to another, was borne to his cabin.  The combat still continued with unabated fury on the part of the Venetians.  They fought like men who felt that the war was theirs, and who were animated not only by the thirst for glory, but for revenge.