_Pihal_ sent hither a Galley to give an account of this Victory, and, as a further Testimony thereof, he caused a Banner, wherein was the Image of our Saviour Christ upon the Cross, to be pulled along the Sea, at the stern of the Vessel. As soon as it arrived in the Haven, the Loss of the _Christians_ was presently noised abroad, and the _Turks_ congratulated one another upon their Victory. They came thick and three-fold to my Door, and asked my Servants in a Jeer, whether they had any Brother, or other Friend, in the _Spanish_ Fleet? If you had, said they, you may shortly have the opportunity of seeing their Faces here. Besides, they highly extoll’d their own Valour, and blam’d the Cowardise of the _Christians_. Who, say they, shall now be able to stand before us, seeing we have conquered the _Spaniards_? My People were forced to hear this sad News to their great Grief; but God’s Will must be done! Our only Hope was, that the Castle, in which was a strong Garrison, might hold out against the _Turks_ till the Winter, or some other Accident had rais’d the Siege. And yet our Hopes were mix’d with Fears, that the Conqueror would take that too; and so it fell out, for the Besieged wanted all things, especially Water; so that _Don Alvarez de Sande_, the Governor thereof, a courageous Man, and an old Soldier, perceiving that it could be defended no longer, got a Boat, and made his Escape, with a few Companions, towards _Sicily_, that so he might not behold the Surrender of so important a Place, which he thought would be look’d upon as a Blot in his Escutcheon, though the extreamest Necessity had compelled it. When he was gone, the Soldiers opened the Gates, and let in the _Turks_, hoping to find them the more merciful, because of their easy Admittance. _Don John_ of _Castile_, however, would by no means leave the Fort which he commanded, but he and his Brother valiantly repulsing the Enemy, were at last wounded and taken. The Castle was stoutly defended by the _Spaniards_ for three Month’s Space, though they wanted many Necessaries, and, which was worst of all, had no prospect of Relief. The Weather was hot, and they almost parched with Thirst. They had but one Cistern to hold Water in, which was not big enough to serve them all; so that they were compelled to weigh out their Water to each Man by Measure, only enough to keep Life and Soul together. This Cistern-Water was increased with a Mixture of Sea-Water, and by some curious Art made fresh. This Secret was very opportunely told them by a certain Alchymist: But all had not the Benefit of it; for you should see some lie parching on the Ground, ready to give up the Ghost for very Thirst, continually crying out, as well as they could speak, _Water! Water!_ and, if a little was brought, they were relieved for the present; but, when that Moisture was spent, they relapsed to their former Drought, and died thereof. Thus many perished, besides the Wounded, who could have no help of Surgery to cure