In the gaoler's lodge, which appears to have been empty, they found the
prison keys and a number of weapons much better than those they had
brought with them. There was also a chest containing money which they
would certainly need, if they managed to escape from the town. John Fox,
however, declined to touch any of it, but Unticaro and two others were
not so scrupulous, and stuffed as many golden ducats into their clothes
as they could contrive to stow away. After this was done Fox bade them
follow him into the prison, unlocking the doors with the gaoler's keys,
and slaying the warders in charge. The prisoners, thus set free, were
put by him to different tasks, the greater number being ordered to seize
a galley lying at the prison end of the harbour, while the others
carried down to it the mast and the sails and oars which had been stored
up in the prison. Although most of the warders had been killed, eight
of them had taken refuge in the roof of the prison, and in order to come
at them the conspirators had to place ladders against the walls. The
fighting was hot, and Fox received three shots in his clothes, while
Unticaro and the two men who had taken the ducats were killed outright,
which Fox considered a judgment upon them, for taking what did not
belong to them.
All seemed going well, when a wounded Turk fell outside the prison wall,
and 'made such a lowing' or bellowing, that he was heard by the people
who lived in one or two scattered houses about. They instantly gave the
alarm, and the prisoners fighting for their freedom felt as if the way
of escape was barred to them. For at each end of the harbour was a
fortress, while the city of Alexandria lay behind. Yet, such good use
had the men made of the start they had had in getting ready the galley
that before another ship could put to sea they were all on board, and
had passed in safety the guns of the two forts, gaining the open water.
Once fairly away, they looked back to be sure that none of the Turkish
vessels were likely to catch them up. The shores of the harbour were
black with people, 'in companies like unto swarms of bees, bustling
themselves to dress up the galleys.' But this was not so easy, as the
whole of the fittings were locked up in the town. So the Christians
breathed again, and, falling on their knees, gave thanks for their
deliverance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account