A Knight of the White Cross_ A

ir tremendous exertions, the

may we be content with our victory! Well fought, my brave comrades! Each of these vessels must have car

as their armour, the keen Damascus blades of the Moslems had in many cases cut clean through it, and their daggers had found entry at

set to clear the decks of the Moslem corpses. The anchors were dropped, for what little wind there was drifted them towards the shore. They had learned from a dying pirate that the vessels were part of the fleet of Hassan Ali, a fact that added to the sa

ot as much in our hands as we can manage; but let us leave that till we eat and drink, for we are faint from want of food and from our exertions. But we shall

ruit, and this with wine suffi

uables are stored there. These may be all carried on board one ship, and the others must be burnt, for it is clear that, as there are four of the

get off to their ships during the fight, and scores must have swum ashore. I should say that there

to land, a party would have to be left on board, or the pirates might elude our search, seize so

ree of us to the rendezvous, to fetch hither the other two galleys. With their aid we might take all the four ships safe into p

ll wished that the trophies of their braver

or two or three days, or even more, for it is quite uncertain when the other tw

plea

ill you tak

your permission, Sir Ralph Harcourt and Sir Gervaise Tresham, both of whom have today fought with distinguished bravery. Indeed, I owe my life to

ed in hearty commendation

aid; but I soon saw that I need not trouble myself on his account, for he wielded his weapon as doughtily as the best knight of the Order could have done, and one of the proofs is that, while most of us bear marks of the conflict, he has escaped without scratch. I trust, Sir Louis

w," he went on, "while the galley slaves are getting a meal-which they have right well earned today-I should like to see what there is u

and, going on board the

own into the hold, when the first hatch

ies followed h

and children," Sir Louis excla

had heard the din of battle above, but knew not how the conflict had terminated, and, being afraid to cry out, had remained silent until, on the hatch being lifted, they had seen the figures of Christian knights standing in the bright sunshine. All had come from the village on the other side of the island. They re

ed God for their rescue others heaped imprec

main on board, as half the pirates were still on shore, but that

galley slaves. The wind had sprung up since the fight ceased, and as it was nearly astern, they anticipated that

ce of wine had been discovered, and of this a tankard had been given to each of the s

of the inlets in the island they had left

irates. And if they see us, which they cannot help doing, and tak

the coast, and then suddenly her course was al

ves. "Keep ahead of that boat, and I promise you, on my honour as a Christian

aves bent to their oars, and the boat

ance-they will overtake us long before we get to the rendezvous; and even did we reach it, the chances are that we should not find either of the galleys there. We must hold on as long as we can, and as a last resource must run ashore. Unfortunately there are no large islands on our way. Nor have w

ng their best, but their breath came in short gasps, the rowing was getting short and unsteady, and there was a sensible decrease in the speed of the

t ahead, and I shall hold to my promise if we get there in time. Those of you who like can remain in the boat until your countrymen come up; those who choose can leave the boat and

as Sir John gave the word they straightened themselves up and began rowing agai

Harcourt asked; for they had not put it on when

r last battle. That craft behind is crowded with men, and, armour or no armour, it will come to the same in the end. If it were not that we have a mission to fulfil, and that it is of all things important to send the galleys to aid our friends, I would say let us choose a spot at t

quarter of a mile of the islet. "I should think, after we have left the boat, i

ng a chase. Hassan Ali's men care little whom they slay, and, irritated by their misfortune, it will

s of assent among

for us they will be hunting, and if they catch and slay

d, "that with the aid of these good fell

ur plan, Si

left of the spot we are making for. Will you tell them to keep down by the water's edge among the bushes, and that after crossing that crest, we will try to make a dash round, so as to join them there. 'Tis probable that most of the pi

good one, Tresham! A right go

amations of approval, for they were too breathless and exhausted for talk. Already they could hear

n cried, as he leapt ashore. "Now,

side him. Louder and louder rose the shouts of the pirates, but the knights did not glance back until they reached the top of

reat stone and hurling it over the edge. Harcourt and Gervaise at once did the same, and twenty or thir

the island. The valley ran right across, and was filled with trees extending to the sea at either end. Running rapidly down, the knights were within the shelter of the wood before the Moslems had reached the brow behind them. A minute lat

swim round the poi

rocks as far as we can, and then drop them into the sea,

and they swam their hardest until they rounded the corner. The wood rang with the shouts of their pursuers, but no yell had risen from the water's edge. A hundred yards farther, and they were able to land, and were in a short time in the shelter of the trees that fringed the water to the

s are searching for us on the other side of the hill. There are not likely to

ward until they stood at the edge of the wood.

t the slaves from carrying off the boat. They must have seen th

ell and drew their scimitars; but the sight of the knights rushing upon them, when they had expected but a few unarmed rowers, was too much for their co

ring her to the stern of the fis

ons burden. She was entirely deserted, but the sail still hung from the yard, and a fir

ing to stave in

sails lying there, but nothing that would answer the purpose. He

o, and nothing short of a heavy sledge hammer

we must disable the craft. They will soon be after us again; they have run her hard and fast

ried to drive the handle through the bottom. Again and again they raised it and dr

friended us so far, Tresham, but she has deserted us at last. Anoth

he lad's eye fel

brand, he jumped below and set fire to the sails stowed ther

ht said; "but they will put it ou

f the great sail. Without a word Sir John seized another brand, and fired the sail on the other side of the deck. The f

ve no time to lose if we would a

t as the foremost of the pirates reached the edge of the water. A few stones were thrown; but the pirates were so an

y consumed, and the yard and the upper part of the mast were in flames. A dense smoke was rising from th

eful addition to our wall builders. Now, Tresham, I have to thank you warmly, for Harcourt and I doubly owe our lives to you. It was thanks to your quickness of wit that we regained our boat, for I would not have given a ducat for our chances had you not thought of that scheme. In the second place, we should assuredly have been overtaken again had it not been for your happy thought of crippling them by burning their sails. By St. George, Harcourt, this young countryman of ours is as quick and as ready of wit as he has shown hims

than is my due. There was the fire, and there was the sail, and the thought that the one would destroy the other was simply a natural one, which might have occurred

flash upon the minds of some men, and not of others, that the first rise to the rank of distinguished commanders, while the other

and much of that time we have gained by the speed with which you rowed before. At any rate, we shall make out the island before sunset, and whether we arrive there a little sooner or

ily, and the sun had just set when they entered a little

exclaimed, as they reached the ent

they had found still lying in the boat, the pirates, in their haste to pursue, having left her unexamined, while t

en Ricord's galley, I hope?" the Spanish knight in command shouted, as the

and at least ten others will not be able to buckle their armour on again for some time to come, so I have been sent here to beg your assistance; and

s crowded round to hear the details of the news. Exclamations of approval and satisfaction arose when Sir John related the in

nd us here, for with four prizes on hand, and with half his strength dead or disabled, Ricord must be in sore need of aid. We will start tom

d as narrow an escape from death as has ever fallen to my lot, though I have been in over a score of hard fought battles. The rest may well have taken another fishing boat and made off also, for we saw s

, but they must start on another. Let them have a good meal to strengthen them, and a cup of wine each. Whatever their scruples at other times, they never refuse wine when there i

he craft with her sail went faster than we with our oars; and, knowing the importance of bringing the news here, I encouraged them by promising them their freedom, should we

way, Sir John, if thei

resham here." And Sir John then related the incidents of their adventure on the

toval said, when the master of the slaves announce

as they got their vessel afloat, but it is hardly likely. They would have no idea of my returning with a galley so soon, and will probably set to to make a dozen more oars before they start, for she had but four on board, which will scarce suffice to send her a mile an hour through the water. Therefore, I fan

and sent her off under charge of ten of his knights. We agreed to meet him this ev

ey got up its anchor and started. Just as she reached the mouth of

assistance, Piccolomin

ed back. "We have had a very long row, and can go

. Two young English knights are waiting in her to give you the news. Ricord has made a fine captur

battle that had taken place, and the capture of the four pirate vessels. After the exclamations of satisf

slaves to carry out the works at Rhodes. Now, let us to supper, gentlemen, and then to sleep. In six hours we will be off again, for if so