CHAPTER XXXVIIIMustapha Pasha looked down on St. Elmo’s fort and his eyes were cruel and fierce. He had more than the lust of an eagle who takes a prey. He had a cold anger and hate toward those who had repulsed his army’s assault and brought shame on the banners of Islam that no success of to-morrow could wipe away.
A walled place must always be taken with waste of life, if it be stoutly held, and whether it be worth the price of storm must be pondered with care. That was true, even if success were a fruit you could surely pluck, as it had seemed to be here. But to squander strength in a vain attempt—that was a fault which no sophistry could condone, and one that, in a lifetime of many wars, he had avoided till now. It must be either the general’s or the army’s shame, and in this case it
