The Grand Master[878] of the Temple, however, with the rest of the military Orders, and about twelve thousand men, being joined by the King of Cyprus, resolved to undergo a siege. The greater part of the useless inhabitants were sent away by sea, and the garrison prepared to defend themselves to the last. This was the final blaze of chivalric valour that shone on the Holy Land. The numbers of the Moslems were overpowering, and after a breach had been made in the walls by the fall of what was called the _Cursed Tower_, a general assault took place. The King of Cyprus made a dastardly flight, but the Templars and the Teutonic knights died where they stood, and the Hospitallers only left the city to attack the rear of the besieging army. Here they met with infinite odds against them, and fell man by man, till the news came that the Grand Master of the Temple was killed and that the city was taken. The Hospitallers then, reduced to seven in number, reached a ship, and quitted the shores of Palestine. About an equal number of Templars fled to the interior, and thence fought their way through the land, till they gained the means of reaching Cyprus. The inhabitants of the city who had not before departed fled to the sea;[879] but the elements themselves seemed to war against them, and ere they could escape, the Saracen sword died the sands with their blood. The Moslems then set fire to the devoted town, and the last vestige of the Christian power in Syria was swept from the face of the earth. CHAPTER XV. _Fate of the Orders of the Temple and St. John--The Templars abandon all Hopes of recovering Jerusalem--Mingle in European Politics--Offend Philip the Fair--Are persecuted--Charges against them--The Order destroyed--The Knights of St. John pursue the Purpose of defending Christendom--Settle in Rhodes--Siege of Rhodes--Gallant Defence--The Island taken--The Knights remove to Malta--Siege of Malta--La Valette--Defence of St. Elmo-- Gallantry of the Garrison--The Whole Turkish Army attempt to storm the Castle--The Attack repelled--Arrival of Succour--The Siege raised--The Progress of Chivalry independent of the Crusades--Chivalrous Exploits--Beneficial Tendency of Chivalry--Corruption of the Age not attributable to Chivalry--Decline of the Institution--In Germany, England, France--Its Extinction._