“He has done well.  This is no time for rash exposure, and where there is naught to be gained, it is a grave fault to run risks.”

On arriving at the end of the mole, D’Aubusson, accompanied by Caretto, made an investigation of the effect of the Turks’ fire.

“’Tis worse than I expected,” he said.  “When we laid out our fortifications the thought that such guns as these would be used against them never entered our minds.  Against ordinary artillery the walls would stand a long battering; but it is clear that we shall have to depend more upon our swords than upon our walls for our defence.  Fortunately, although the Turks have indeed chosen the spot where our walls are most open to the assaults of their battery, they have to cross the water to attack the breach when it is made, and will have to fight under heavy disadvantage.”

“Tresham was last night saying to me, that it seemed to him it would not be a difficult matter for one who spoke Turkish well, to issue at night on the other side of the town, and to make his way round to the battery, disguised of course as a Turkish soldier, and then, mixing with the artillery men, to drive a spike into one of the touch holes.  He said that he would gladly volunteer for the task.”

D’Aubusson shook his head decidedly.  “It would be too dangerous; and even were a spike driven in, the Turks would have no great difficulty in extracting it, for the tubes are so big that a man might crawl in and drive the spike up from the inside.  Moreover, could one or more of the guns be disabled permanently, others would be brought down and set in their place, so that nothing would be gained but a very short delay, which would be of no advantage to us, and certainly would in no way justify the risking of the life of so distinguished a young knight.”

The bombardment of St. Nicholas continued for some days.  A breach was fast forming in the wall, and a slope composed of the fallen rubbish extended from the front of the breach to the water’s edge.  The grand master was frequently on the spot, and as this was at present the sole object of attack, the garrison was strengthened by as many knights as could be sheltered within its walls.  At night the shattered masonry that had fallen inside was carried out, and with it a new work thrown up across the mole, to strengthen the defence on that side, should the enemy land between the town and the fort.  Small batteries were planted wherever they could sweep the approaches to the breach, and planks studded with nails were sunk in the shallow water of the harbour, to impede the progress of those who might attempt to swim or wade across.  For the time, therefore, the functions of Gervaise were in abeyance, and he laboured with the rest of the garrison at the defences.