Battle Of Ascalon.

Syrian Muleteer, Near Acre.

A Moslem Warrior.

The physical geography of a country determines to some extent its morals. The people of a maritime region are naturally neither better nor worse than those who dwell in the interior of a continent. Each portion of the planet has its own temptations, due to its environment; and opportunity is always the best test of virtue. Moreover, it must be remembered that at that time hostilities of any kind against the followers of Mohammed were deemed by Christians not only justifiable, but a pious duty. In fact, the solemn vows of the Fraternity obliged it to wage ceaseless war against the "infidels." For all these reasons, therefore, the predatory monks of Malta were tireless in their attacks on Turkish territory and treasure. They pillaged unprotected villages along the Moslem coasts, seizing and selling into slavery, without the least compunction, men, women, and children by the hundreds, or else condemning them to the most horrible of lives, - whose one redeeming feature was its brevity, - that of chained oarsmen in their galleys. By these means, and by capturing Turkish vessels and exacting ransoms, the increase of their wealth and power was equaled only by the progress of their fame. Their chosen banner, with its white, eight-pointed "Maltese" cross, and their far-resounding war cry " Dieu le vent" became renowned throughout the world. Their ruler, who was elected by the Knights from their own ranks for life, had absolute authority, and ranked in state assemblies next to royalty itself. His title was "Grand Master," and every Christian country had "commanderies," whose duty was to furnish, the Fraternity with funds and fighting men. This was not difficult. The more successful were the Order's expeditions, the more it was endowed by pious peers and princes; and when its ranks became depleted, the vacant places were soon filled by volunteers from Europe, for whom the stories of the brothers' reckless conquests, splendid spoils, and island paradise possessed thousands even now. On one occasion, for example, these Chevaliers of St. John captured the Moslem city of Mondon, from which they brought away eight hundred Turkish girls and women, many of whom they sold as slaves, while others they retained as their own property. Some of these female captives were extremely beautiful, and one of them presently gave birth to a boy to whom his Christian father gave the name of Scipio. Far from being reconciled, however, to her new surroundings, the mother of this lad, when he had grown to manhood, made him take a solemn vow to avenge her wrongs. Accordingly, he made his escape from Malta, went to Constantinople, and enlisted in the army of the Sultan. So bitter was his hatred toward the Knights who had enslaved his mother, and so energetically did he express that hatred in heroic deeds, that in a few years he became the leader of the Turkish forces, and proved himself a dangerous and destructive foe. His battle-cry, when contending with the Christians, was, "Remember Mondon!"

One of Malta's inlets.

Dieu Le Veut !.

An Ancient Watch-Tower.

One Of The Old Forts.

From this it will be seen that, in the life now led by them, the Knights' original vows of poverty and chastity were utterly ignored: and their career, when they were not actually engaged in war, was one of profligacy, luxury, and debauchery. Nevertheless, when all that should be said in condemnation of their lust and lawlessness has been conceded, it must be acknowleged that they formed for centuries a mighty bulwark against the encroachments of the Moslems, who had but lately been expelled from Spain, had overrun southwestern Europe, and twice appeared before the battlements of Vienna. Hence, to these men of questionable morals but unquestioned courage, Christendom owes a debt that should not be forgotten.