The badge also occurs on another badge of the knights, that is, on the
Maltese Cross, which all of them wore. This cross was eight-pointed in
shape, and was originally derived from the skull and crossbones; it
came from the crossbones, and served to remind the knights that it was
their duty to fight to the death and never to give in.
[Illustration: A notice on the walls of the fortifications of Malta,
where caper-plants grow plentifully, says: "No one is allowed to cut
capers here except the Commanding Royal Engineer." This is how I
picture him.]
Their motto might well have been that which the Boy Scouts use to-day:
_Never say die till you are dead_--struggle on against any
difficulty or danger, don't give in to it, and you will probably come
out successful in the end.
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