unjust tax on this _kind of commerce_,
and the more especially so, because it was not demanded from his neighbours
and allies, the Kings of France and Spain. That the Knights of St. John
made their prisoners slaves, disposing of some to the wealthy residents or
natives of the island, and employing others in the erection of their
dwellings, palaces, and fortifications, is well known.

Historians have stated that when Dragut landed at Malta, in July, 1551,
with Sinam, his admiral, who was in joint command, they went to the summit
of Mount Sceberras to reconnoitre before an attack should be made on the
convent. When employed on this service, Sinam, who was opposed to any
hostile movement, pointing to the castle, thus remarked, "Surely no eagle
could have chosen a more craggy and difficult place to make his nest in.
Dost thou not see that men must have wings to get up to it, and that all
the artillery and troops of the universe would not be able to take it by
force?" An old Turkish officer of his suite, addressing Dragut, thus
continued,--"See'st thou that bulwark which juts out in the sea, and on
which the Maltese have planted the great standard of their order? I can
assure thee that whilst I was a _prisoner with them, I have helped to carry
the large stones of which it is built_, and am pretty sure that before thou
canst make thyself master of it, thou wilt be overtaken by the winter
season; and probably likewise prevented from succeeding by some powerful
succours from Europe." There can be little doubt that this remark was {418}
feelingly made, and that the aged Turk who uttered it had experienced,
during his residence as a prisoner at Malta, all the horrors of slavery.
That no consideration was given to the comfort of a slave, and little value
set on his life, will be briefly shown by the following anecdote:--On the
13th of April, 1534, an accusation was made against an English knight of
the name of Massimberg, to the effect that he had unwarrantably drawn his
sword and _killed four galley slaves_; and being convicted of the crime on
the 18th of May of the same year, he was asked why judgment should not be
given against him. Massimberg thus replied, "_In killing the four slaves I
did well, but in not having at the same time killed our old and imbecile
Grand Master I did badly._" This plea not being _considered satisfactory_,
he was deprived of his habit; but two days afterwards, that is, on the 20th
May, 1534, he was rein