Then they marched towards the road, and entered it softly. There were
six warders guarding it, and one of them asked who was there. Then quoth
Foxe and his company, 'All friends!'
But when they were within it proved contrary, for, quoth Foxe to his
companions:
'My masters, here there is not a man to a man, so look you play your
parts!' They so behaved themselves indeed that they had despatched those
six quickly. Then John Foxe, intending not to be thwarted in his
enterprise, barred the gate surely, and planted a cannon against it.
They entered the gaoler's lodge, where they found the keys of the
fortress and prison by his bedside, and then they all got better
weapons. In this chamber was a chest holding a great treasure, all in
ducats, which Peter Unticare and two more stuffed into their garments,
as many as they could carry. But Foxe would not touch them, saying that
it was his liberty and theirs he sought, and not to make a spoil of the
wicked treasure of the infidels. Yet these words did not sink into their
hearts, though they had no good of their gain.
Now, having provided themselves with the weapons they needed, they came
to the prison, and unlocked its gates and doors, and called forth all
the prisoners, whom they employed, some in ramming up the gate, some in
fitting up a galley which was the best in the road.
In the prison were several warders, whom John Foxe and his company slew;
but this was perceived by eight more Turks, who fled to the top of the
prison, where Foxe and his company had to reach them by ladders. Then
followed a hot skirmish, and John Foxe was shot thrice through his
apparel, without being hurt; but Peter Unticare and the other two, who
had weighed themselves down with the ducats so that they could not
manage their weapons, were slain.
Among the Turks there was one thrust through who fell from the top of
the prison wall, and made such a crying out that the inhabitants of a
house or two that stood near came and questioned him, and soon
understood the case--how the prisoners were attempting to escape. Then
they raised both Alexandria on the west side of the road, and a castle
at the end of the city next to the road, and also another fortress on
the north side of the road. And now the prisoners had no way to escape
but one that might seem impossible for them.
[Illustration]
Then every man set to work, some to their tackling, some carrying arms
and provisions into the galley, some keeping the enemy from the wall of
the road. To be short, there was no man idle, nor any labour spent in
vain; so that presently the galley was ready, and into it they all
leaped hastily, and hoisted sail.
But when the galley had set sail, and was past the shelter of the road,
the two castles had full power over it, and what could save it from
sinking? The cannon let fly from both sides, and it was between them
both.
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account