 Chapter 4 of A Night of the Wide Cross by G. A. Hendy Chapter 4. A Prophest Night Gervais was soon quite at home in the palace of the Grandmaster, and his companions were like other boys of varying characters, but as all were of noble families, were strongly impressed with the importance of the Order and the honour of their own position, and were constantly in contact with stately knights and grave officials, their manners conformed to those of their elders, and even among themselves there was no rough fun or loud disputes, but a certain courtesy of manner that was in accordance with their surroundings. This came naturally to Gervais, brought up as he had been by his father and mother, and having at frequent intervals stayed with them for months at the various royal castles in which Margaret of Angeau and her son had been assigned apartments during their exile. Even at St. John's house the novices with whom he lived were all a good deal older than himself, and the discipline of the house was much more strict than that at Rhodes. He enjoyed both his exercises with the knights and the time spent with the sub-chaplain, no small proportion of the hours of study being occupied in listening to stories of chivalry, it being considered one of the most important parts of a knight's education that he should have a thorough acquaintance, not only with the laws of chivalry, but with the brave deeds both of former and of living knights, with the relations of the noble houses of Europe to each other, especially of the many great families whose members were connected with the Order of St. John. These matters formed indeed the main subject of their studies. They were taught to read and write, but this was considered sufficient in the way of actual instruction. The rules of the Order had to be committed to memory. Beyond this their reading consisted largely of the lives of saints, especially of those who distinguished themselves by their charity or their devotion to their vows of poverty, to both of which the members of the Order were pledged. Gervais, however, could see around him no signs whatever of poverty on their part. It was true that they all lived and fed together in the aborges of their respective lines, and that they possessed no houses or establishments of their own, but the magnificence of their armor and attire, and the lavish expenditure of some upon their pleasures, contrasted strangely to the poverty to which they had vowed themselves. It was true that in many cases the means to support the expenditure was derived from the shares the knights received of the plunder acquired in their captures of Muslim ships, but undoubtedly many must have possessed large private means, the bevifs, for example. Although only required by the rules to place before the knights at their aborges the rations they received for them, with such luxuries as could be purchased by their yearly allowance for that purpose, expended annually very large sums in addition, and supplied their tables with every dainty in order to gain popularity and goodwill among the members of the Lang. Not only did the post of Baeliff confer upon its owner a very high position at Rhodes, but it was a stepping stone to the most lucrative offices in their Langs. The Baeliff set Rhodes had the right of claiming any of the grand priories or Baeliwix at home that might fall vacant, and the grandmaster was frequently chosen from among their number, as by being present at Rhodes they had many advantages in the way of making themselves popular among the electors. The emoluments of some of these provincial Baeliwix were large, and as the Baeliff set Rhodes were generally elected by seniority, although younger knights who had greatly distinguished themselves were sometimes chosen. They were usually glad to resign the heavy work and responsibility of their position at Rhodes, and to retire to the far easier position of a provincial Baeliff. In the majority of cases, doubtless, the fortunes of the high officials were obtained from the money amassed when in possession of rich commandaries at home, but even this was assuredly incompatible with their vows of poverty. His hours of leisure Gervais spent either on the water or in the saddle, and his love of exercise of all sorts excited the wonder and even the amusement of his companions, who for the most part preferred spending the time at their disposal in sleep, in idly looking out from a shaded room at what was going on outside, or in visits to friends and relations at the averages of the lengths to which they belonged. The natural consequence was that by the time he reached the end of his three years' page-ship, Gervais was indisputably superior in strength, activity, and skill in military exercises to any of his companions. The majority of these, after completing their time, returned to the headquarters of their Lang at home to pass their time there, until of an age to be eligible for the charge of a commandery obtained for them by family influence, which had no small share in the granting of these appointments. As it was known, however, that Gervais intended to remain permanently in the island. His progress was watched with particular attention by his instructors, and seeing his own earnestness in the matter, they took special pains with his training. The bailiff of Avrini continued to take much interest in him, inquiring often from the officers in charge of the pages, and from his instructors of his conduct and progress, and occasionally sending for him to his aburge and talking with him as to his life and progress. Just before his page-ship terminated, he said to him, I was rather puzzled at first, Gervais, as to what we should do with you when your term of office concluded, but I am so no longer, for although you are some two years younger than the professed knights who come out here, you are better fitted than the majority to take your place in the naval expeditions and to fight the Muslim pirates. I will see that you have your share of these adventures. All young knights are, as you know, obliged to make three voyages, but beyond that many of them do not care to share in the rough life at sea, and prefer the bustle, and I grieve to say the gaiety and pleasures of this city, for one then really eager to distinguish himself. The opportunities are frequent, when danger threatens or heavy engagements are expected, every knight is desirous of bearing his part in the fray, but this is not the case when the work to be done consists of scouring the sea for weeks, without perchance coming across a single pirate. Of course, as soon as your page-ship is over, you will go to the English aburge, but I shall still keep by eye upon you, and shall do my best to help you to achieve distinction, and I shall take upon myself the providing of your arms and armor as a knight. Accordingly, on the day on which his duties as a page terminated, two servitors of the aburge of Uggerni brought across to the palace a suit of fine armor and a sword, a battle axe, a lance, and a dagger, also three complete suits of clothes, two of them for ordinary wear, and one for state occasions. The next day, Gervais took the oaths of the order in the Church of Saint John, the aged master himself received the vows, and formally inducted him as a professed knight of the order. Peter of Diabason and the bailiff of the English Lang, acting as his sponsors, vouching that he was of noble blood, and in all ways fitted to become a knight of justice, this being the official title of the professed knights of the order. Ten newly arrived novices were inducted at the same time, and the ceremony was a stately one, attended by a number of the knights from each Lang, all in full armor. The ceremony over, Gervais bore the title of Sir Gervais Treisham, but this was an honorary rather than a real title, as the order did not profess to bestow the honor of knighthood, and it was usual for its members to receive the accolade at the hands of secular knights. At the conclusion of the ceremony, he returned with the bailiff of the English Lang to the Aburge, and took up his quarters there. By his frequent visits he was well known to all the members, and in a day or two felt as much at home as he had done in the pages room in the palace. A week was given to him before he was assigned to any special duty, and he was glad when he was told off as one of the knights who were to take their turn in superintending the work of the slaves employed in strengthening the fortifications, although he would rather that any other employment should have been assigned to him, because he felt deep pity for the unfortunate men who were engaged in the work. He knew well enough that if he himself were ever made prisoner by the Turks, his lot would be as hard and as hopeless as that of the Muslim captives. But this, although he often repeated it to himself in order to abate his feeling of commissuration, was but a poor satisfaction. He saw one side of the picture, and the other was hidden from him, and although he told himself that after slaving in a Turkish galley he would feel a satisfaction at seeing those who had been his tyrants suffering the same fate. He was well aware that this would not be the case, and that his own sufferings would only make him sympathize more deeply with those of others. He had found soon after his arrival on the island that it was best to keep his feelings on this subject to himself, while the knights were bound, in accordance with their vows, to relieve suffering of any kind among Christians. They seemed to regard their captives rather in the light of brute beasts than human beings. The slaves were struck on the smallest provocation, and even the killing of a slave was considered a very venial offense, and punished only because the slave was of value to the order. It was true that edicts were from time to time, published by the council, enjoining fair treatment of slaves, and it was specially ordered that those employed as servants in the aversas were not to be struck. The lot of these servants was indeed very much easier than that of those engaged on the public works, and such occupation was therefore considered a privilege. The servants being for the most part selected from among the captives of superior rank. For the next six months, Gervais worked at various duties in the town. He was employed for a fortnight in the infirmary, then for a while he was transferred to the galleys, but for the most part he was with the slaves working on the fortifications. At the end of that time he was to his great delight, informed by the bailiff that he was one of the six knights of the Lang, told off to join a galley that was on the point of sailing. Among those going in her was Sir Ralph Harcourt, one of his companions on the journey from England. So you are to go with us, Gervais, the young knight said, to try your luck for the first time against the infidels. This is my third voyage, and I hope that it will be more fortunate than its predecessors, for beyond picking up two or three small craft which did not venture upon resistance, we gained neither honor nor booty. I regard you as having specially good fortune, and besides being glad that we shall be together, I expect that you will bring good luck to us, and that we shall meet with those worth contending with. The corsairs have been very active of late, and have captured many prizes, while on the other hand our galleys have been unfortunate, and have but seldom come upon the miscreants. How many knights will there be on board? Forty, Aragon like us furnishes five, Germany ten, Portugal five, Aberny ten, and province five. We shall be commanded by Sir Louis Ricor, a knight of Aberny, and we could wish no better, for he has proved himself a good seaman, and a brave captain. Two other galleys are to start with us, we are to cruise separately unless one gets news of a force so superior that he will need aid to attack it, when he will meet the others at a rendezvous agreed upon, and we shall work together. Who are the other three Englishmen? John Boswell, Marma Duke Lumley, and Adam Tidmon, all as you know brave knights and good companions. That evening, Gervais received a message from Diabason, requesting him to call at his aburge. So you are going to see, Sir Gervais. I hear from your bailiff that you have been working to his satisfaction in the town. Yes, sir, I shall indeed be glad to change it for a life at sea, and truth it is grievous to me to witness the sufferings of the slaves, and I would rather do any other work. They are far better off than the Christians who fall into the hands of the Turks, the bailiff said, and moreover it is because their countrymen are preparing to attack us that we are forced to use their labour in strengthening our fortifications. They have not to complain of in the way of food. Still, I would myself gladly see their lot alleviated, but we could not afford to keep so great a number of captives in idleness. They must work for their living. Had it not been for their labour, we could never have built and fortify this city. After all, they are little worse than our serfs at home. They build our castles until our land. It may be so, sir, but with us in England men are free, and it was when I first came strange to me to see them working under the fear of the whip. It is necessary, I know, that such work should be done, but I own that I shall be glad to be away from the sight of the poor wretches, pirates and enemies of the faith though they be. I can understand your feeling, and I too felt somewhat the same when I first came here. Nevertheless, there is work that must be done, if the order is not to be crushed by the infidels. Here are captives, for the most part, malefactors, who have to be fed, and there is no injustice in their having, like all men to work for food. I have learnt to see this and recognize the necessity, though I would that the work could be obtained without the use of harshness and severity. We ourselves are prepared at any moment to sacrifice our lives for the good of the order, and for the great cause. And it would be wrong, nay, sinful, not to use the means that have been placed ready to our hand. Now, sir Gervais, I wish you a pleasant voyage. You will find the life somewhat hard, after your three years residence at the palace. But this I know you will not mind. I have specially commended you to record, as one in whom I am personally interested, and from whom I hope great things in the future. Be brave. Be resolute. From what you have said I need not say, be merciful. Fulfill all orders promptly and without question. Bear yourself courteously to all. Above all things remember that you are a soldier, not only of the order, but of the cross. Next day Gervais embarked with his companions on board the galley. It was a long, low boat, similar to those in use by the Venetians and Genoese. It was rode by 50 slaves who slept at night on or beneath the benches they sat on by day. The knights occupied the great cabins in the poop. There were two tiers of these. The upper one contained the little cabin of the commander, while the rest of the space on this deck and that below it was used by the knights in common. In the upper cabin they took their meals, and a third of their number slept there, the remainder in the cabin below. A fourth of their number were, however, always on guard, lest any attempt at a rising or escape should be made by the galley slaves. On leaving the harbor the galley with its two consorts rode north. And Gervais learned that they were to cruise between the mainland and the islands. Some of these were in the hands of the Turks, while others were still occupied by the Greeks. Except when there was a formal and actual state of war, the Muslim and Christian islands remained in a state of neutrality, trading with each other and avoiding all unfriendly proceedings that would lead to struggles which would be fatal to the prosperity of both. The archipelago, and indeed the whole of the eastern portion of the Mediterranean, was infested by pirates, fitted out for the most part on the mainland. These, when in force, openly kept the sea, attacking the Christian merchant ships, but when cruising alone they hid in unfrequented bays, or behind uninhabited islets, until they could pounce upon a passing ship, whose size promised an easy capture. The Order of Saint John furnished a maritime police, earning thereby the deep gratitude of Spain, France, and Italy. They were aided occasionally by the Venetians, but these, being frequently engaged in quarrels with their neighbors, did but a small share of this work, only sending their fleets to sea when danger threatened some of their possessions in the Levant. This is delightful, Ralph. Gervais said as they stood together on the poop, looking back at the receding city. What a pleasant change it is from standing in the broiling sun, watching those poor wretches toiling at the fortifications. There is only one drawback to my pleasure. I wish that we carried sails and were moving along by the breeze, instead of by the exertions of the slaves. Much chance we should have of catching a pirate under such circumstances, Ralph said laughing. You might as well set a tortoise to catch a hare. I don't say that we should not be obliged to carry rowers, Ralph, but all the prizes that have been brought in since I have been at roads carry mass and sails, as well as oars, and as I understand for the most part crews about under sail, and only use the oars when chasing or fleeing. That is so, because you see, in most cases the crew themselves have to row, and I have no doubt if we had no slaves to do the work, we should soon take to mass and sails also. But for speed, the rowing galleys are the best, for unless a brisk wind were blowing, the mass and sails would but check her progress when the oars were out, and at any rate constrain her to travel only before the wind. I know your weakness about the slaves, Curveys, but as we could neither build our fortifications nor row our galleys without them, I cannot go as far as you do in the matter, though I own that I am sometimes sorry for them. But you must remember that it is the fault of their people and not of ours that they are here. All that is true enough, Ralph, and I cannot gain say you. Still, I would rather that we were gliding along with sails, instead of being rowed by slaves. At any rate, Curveys, you will not see them ill-treated, for I myself heard record just before we were starting, tell the slave overseers so long as the rowers did fair work. They were not to use their whips, and that only if we were in chase of a pirate were they to be urged to their utmost exertions. I am right glad to hear it, Ralph, and shall be able to enjoy the voyage all the more. Now you have told me that such orders have been issued. For a fortnight they cruised about among the islands. Several times boats rode out from the shore to the galleys, with complaints of outrages by pirates under a notorious corsair named Hassan Ali, who had landed, burnt villages, killed many of the inhabitants, and carried off the rest as slaves. But no one could give any clue to aid them in their search for the corsairs. The time passed very pleasantly. There was no occasion for speed. Often they lay all day in some bay, where they could approach near enough to the shore to lie in the shade of the trees. While two or three of the knights ascended a hill, and kept watch there for the appearance of any vessels of a suspicious character. One morning after passing the night at anchor, Harcourt and Gervais were dispatched just before sunrise to take a look round before the galleys got underway. From the top of the hill they had an uninterrupted view of the sea, studded with islands on all sides of them, beyond a few fishing boats looking like black specks on the glassy surface. No craft were in sight. They were about to return to the galleys when taking a last look round. Gervais suddenly exclaimed, Look, Ralph, there is smoke ascending from that island to the southwest. There was none just now. You mean from that bay, Gervais? Yes, I see it. But it is not more than a light mist. It is growing thicker, Gervais said, and spreading. Maybe it is but a hut that has accidentally caught fire, but it seems to me that the smoke is rising from several points. I think you are right, Gervais. Let us hurry down with the news. It may be that it is a village which has been attacked by pirates who have landed on the other side of the island during the night, for I can see no ships in the bay. A few minutes run and they stood on the shore. Quick man, Ralph said to the rowers of the boat that had brought them ashore, row your hardest. The slaves bent to their oars and they were soon alongside the galley, which laid two or three hundred yards from the shore. Those on board had noticed the young knights running down the hill and marking the speed at which the boat was rowing. Concluded at once that they must have observed one of the pirate's ships. Do you see anything of them, sir Ralph? The commander shouted as they came close. We have seen no ships, sir Lewis. That there is smoke coming up from a bay in an island four or five miles away to the southwest. It seems to us that it is far too extensive fire to be the result of an accident. For there was no smoke until within two or three minutes of the time we left. And before we started it was rising from several points. And we both think that it must come from a village that has been attacked by pirates. The commander rapidly issued his orders. And in two or three minutes the anchor was weighed, the boat hoisted on deck, and the oars in motion. Stretch to your oars, Rickor shouted to the slaves. Hither too we have exacted no toil from you, but you have to work now, and woe be to him who does not put out his full strength. Grateful for the unusual leniency with which they had been treated, the slaves bent to their oars and the galley sped rapidly through the water. On rounding the end of the island there was an exclamation of satisfaction from the nights, as they saw reeds of white smoke rising from the distant island. There can be no doubt that it is a village in flames, sir Lewis said. And from the suddenness with which it broke out, it is clear that it must have been fired at several points. You say you saw no craft near, he asked, turning to Harcourt. There were none there, or from the top of the hill, we should assuredly have made them out, sir Lewis. Then the pirates, if this be as I hope their work, must have landed at some other point on the island. And if they catch sight of us they may make for their ship and slip away unobserved by us. And instead of rowing direct, therefore, we will make for that island to the right and row round behind it. There are two others almost adjoining it. Once past these does not more than half a mile to that island stretching away south. Once round that we shall be beyond the one from which we see the smoke rising, and can come down on its southern side. The course will be double the distance that it would be if we took a straight line. But except when we cross from island to island we shall not be exposed to their view, and may fall upon their ships before the crews have returned from their work of plunder. The knights fully agree, and orders were given to the helmsmen accordingly. We must not over fatigue the rowers, the commander said. We may have a long chase if they have started before we get round. He, therefore, gave orders to the slaves that while they were to exert themselves to the utmost when crossing the open sea, they were to relax their efforts and to row within their strength while coasting along behind the islands. On board everything was made in readiness for a fight. The knights buckled on their armor. The cook set cauldrons of pitch over the fire. The canoneers loaded her eight guns. It was an hour and a half after their start before they rounded the end of the last island. It extended a little farther to the south, then did that to which they were making, and as they rounded the point, eager looks were cast in search of the pirate ships. No craft were, however, to be seen. They must be in some bay or inlet, the commander said. They can hardly have left for it would have taken them half an hour at least to cross the island with their booty and captives. And even if they made straight away after having fired the village, their ship could have gone no great distance, for we must have seen her if she put to sea, unless indeed they were anchored on the east of the island and have sailed in that direction. Keep them rowing along steadily, he said to the overseers of the slaves, but do not press them too hard. We may have a chase yet, and need all their strength, for most of these pirates are fast craft, and if they should get a start of three or four miles, it will be a long row before we catch them. They made straight for the island, and on nearing it coasted along its southern side. It was some three miles long, the shore being for the most part steep, but here and there are falling gradually to the water's edge. Two or three little clusters of houses could be seen as they rode along. One of these was on fire. That is good, Sir Lewis exclaimed, as on turning a point they saw the flames. That could not have been lighted long, and we are pretty certain to come upon the vessels before the marauders have set sail. Several inlets and small bays were passed, but all were empty. A few fishing boats lay on the shore, but there were no signs of life, as no doubt the people would long since have taken alarm and sought shelter in the woods. There was a sharp point just before they reached the southeastern extremity of the island, and as the galley shot past this, a shot of exultation rose from the nights, for near the mouth of an inlet that now opened to their view, there lay four long low vessels, above each of which floated the Muslim flag. A number of men were gathered on the shore near the ships, and heavily laden boats were passing to and fro. A yell of rage and alarm rose from the ships as the galley came into view. There was a stirrer and movement on the shore, and numbers of men leapt into the boats there, and started for the ships. These were some quarter of a mile away when first seen, and half that distance had been traversed when a puff of smoke shot out from the side of one of them, followed almost immediately by a general discharge of their cannon. One ball tore along the waist of the galley, killing six of the rowers, and several oars on both sides were broken. Two balls passed through the cabins in the poop, but there was no pause in the advance of the galley. The whips of the slave masters cracked, and the rowers whose oars were intact strained at them. There was no reply from the guns, but the knights raised loud the war cry of the order, a war cry that was never heard without striking a thrill of apprehension among their Muslim foes. As they neared the pirate ships, the helm was put down, and the galley brought up alongside the largest of them, and a broadside poured into her. Then the knights headed by their commander leapt onto her deck. Although a number of the crew had not yet come off from shore, the Muslims still outnumbered their assailants, and knowing that their consorts would soon come to their aid, they threw themselves in a body on the Christians. But in a hand-to-hand conflict like this, the knights of the hospital were irresistible, protected by their armor and long shields from the blows of their enemies, saboteurs, and daggers. Their long cross-handled swords fell with irresistible force on turbaned head and coat of mail, and maintaining a regular order, and advancing like a wall of steel along the deck. They drove the Muslims before them, and the combat would soon have terminated had not a shout been raised by one of the overseers of the slaves. One of the other ships had rode alongside the galley, and the crew were already leaping on board it. At the same moment another ship came up alongside that they had boarded, while the fourth was maneuvering to bring up under her stern. Sir John Boswell, Sir Louis shouted, Do you and your countrymen, with the knights of Spain, finish with these miscreants? Knights of Germany and province keep back the borders. Knights of Abernye follow me, and he leaped down into the galley. The English and Spanish knights redoubled their exertions. The Muslims endeavored to rally, seeing that help was at hand, and that but a small body were now opposed to them. But their numbers availed little. The ten knights kept their line, and hewing their way forward, pressed them so hotly that the Turks broke and sprang over the bulwarks into the sea. Then the knights looked around. A fierce fight was going on between those of Germany and province, and the enemy, who strove desperately to board from the ship alongside. The other vessel was now almost touching the stern, and her crew were swarming to her side, in readiness to leap on board as soon as the vessels touched. We will keep them at bay there, Sir John Boswell shouted. Do you, Don Pedro, and your comrades aid Richard? When his foes are finished with, you can come back to help us. Then, with the four English knights, he ran along the deck and reached the stern just in time to hurl backwards the Muslims, who had already obtained a footing. For a time the five knights kept back the surging mass of their foes. The deck was wide enough for each to have fair play for his sword, and in vain the pirates strove to obtain a footing. At last Sir Marmadoug Lumley fell, severely wounded by an arrow from a Muslim marksman. And before the others could close the gap, a score of pirates leapt onto the deck. Fall back comrades, fall back, but keep together. Sir John Boswell shouted, as he cleft the skull of one of the pirate officers who sprang at him. Sir Louis will soon finish his work, and be here to aid. Ah! He exclaimed, looking over his shoulder as he retired a step. Province and Germany are overmatched too. This was indeed the case. Stoutly as they fought, the knights were unable to guard the whole of the line of bulwark, and the Muslims had already obtained a footing on the deck. The discipline of the knights stood them in good stead. Drawing closely together as they retreated, they made a stand on the opposite side of the deck, and were here joined by Sir John Boswell and his companions. They now formed a semi-circle, each flank resting on the bulwark, and the pirates in vain endeavored to break their line. Again and again they flung themselves upon the knights, only to be beaten off with heavy loss. At length a loud cheer arose from the galley, and Sir Louis Rekord, with the knights of Abernie and Spain, having cleared the galley of their foes, and carried the pirate that had grappled with her, sprang onto the deck of the ship, and fell upon the throng that were attacking the knights there, oblivious of what was going on elsewhere. At once the English knights and their comrades took the offensive, and fell upon their assailants, who at the side of the reinforcement, for a moment stood irresolute. For a short time there was a fierce struggle, then the pirates sprang back to their two ships, and endeavored to cast off the grappinals, but the knights followed hotly upon them, and panic-stricken now, the pirates sprang overboard. Many were drowned, but the greater part managed to swim to shore. Chapter 5 Scourges of the Sea Breathless and faint from their tremendous exertions, the knights removed their helmets. By St. Mary, Sir Louis said, This has been as hard a fight as I have ever been engaged in, and well may we be content with our victory. Well fucked, my brave comrades, each of these vessels must have carried twice our number at least, and we have captured four of them, but I fear the cost has been heavy. Struck down by sword, arrow, or thrust of spear, of the rest but few had escaped unwounded. For strong as was their armor, the keen Damascus blades of the Muslims had in many cases cut clean through it, and their daggers had found entry at points where the armor joined. And now that the fight was over, several of the knights sank exhausted on the deck from loss of blood. But the dressing of wounds formed part of the night of St. John's training. Those who were unwounded unbuckled the armor and bandaged the wounds. Others fetched wine and water from the galley. The chains of the galley slaves were removed, and these were set to clear the decks of the Muslim 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 satisfaction felt with the knights at their capture, as this man was one of the most dreaded pirates of the Levant. They learned that he himself had not been present, the expedition being under the command of one of his lieutenants who had fallen in the fight. Now comrades, let us in the first place take food. We have not broken our fast this morning. Then let us consider what had best be done, for indeed we have got as much in our hands as we can manage. But let us leave that till we eat and drink, where we are faint from want of food and from our exertions. But we shall have to eat what comes to hand, and that without cooking, for our servants all joined the pirates when they boarded us, and are either dead or are ashore there. The meal was made of bread and fruit, and this with wine sufficed to recruit their energies. This seems to me, comrades, Sir Louis said when all had finished, that the first thing is to search the holds of these vessels, and see what valuables 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 them, we cannot take them to roads, and even with one and our galley we should fare but ill, if we fell in with two or three more of Hassan's ships. But how about the pirates on shore, Sir Louis? A knight asked, there are very many who cannot get off their ships during the fight, and scores must have swum ashore. I should say that there must be full two hundred, and it will be a grievous thing for the islanders if we leave them there. It is certain, the commander said, that we are not strong enough to attack them. For were we to land a party would have to be left on board, or the pirates might elude our search, seize some fishing boats, and regain possession. Certainly we are in no position to divide our forces. Me thanks, Sir John Boswell said, that the best plan would be to send a boat, man with ten galley slaves, taking two or three of us to the rendezvous, to fetch hither the other two galleys. With their aid we might take all the four ships safe into port, after first clearing the island of these pirates. It is about forty miles away, and eight hours rowing would take us there. There was a general murmur of assent, for all wished that the trophies of their bravery should, if possible, be carried to roads. That will certainly be the best plan, Sir John. Though it may detain us here for two or three days, even more, for it is quite uncertain when the other two galleys may put into the rendezvous. Will you yourself undertake the mission? With pleasure. How many will you take with you? Two will be sufficient, for we shall have no fighting to do, as we shall have to trust to our speed if we fall in with an enemy. I will take with your permission Sir Ralph Harcourt and Sir Gervais Trisham, both of whom I have today fought with distinguished bravery. Indeed I owe my life to them, for more than once when I was hotly pressed, they freed me from my assailants. Truly none bore themselves better in the fray than they did. Three or four others joined in hearty commendations of the two young knights. Indeed, one said, I was greatly surprised to see how Trisham bore himself. He is but a lad with scarce one would think strength to hold his own in such a fray. A chance that he was next to me in the circle, and for a time I kept my eye on him, thinking he might require my aid. But I soon saw that I need not trouble myself on his account, for he wielded his weapon as doddily 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 Lewis, that when you give an account of the fighting you will specially mention that this, the youngest knight of the order, were himself as stately as any of them. I say this, Sir John, not being of your lang, I can speak more warmly than you can do of his skill and bravery. I thank you, de Boise. Sir John Boswell said, and I am proud that my young countrymen should have so gained your approbation. And now, 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 under the hatches of these ships, so that I can give our comrades and the other galleys some idea of the value of this booty we have taken. They rose from the table, and going on board the prizes lifted the hatches. Beware, de Boise exclaimed, looking down into the hold when the first hatch was taken off. There are people below. A chorus of cries followed his exclamation. They are the voices of women and children, Sir Lewis exclaimed. They must be captives. This turned out to be so, and the holds of the four ships were found over a hundred and fifty women and children. These had been brought on board in the first boatloads by the pirates, and when the Christian galley had been seen coming round the point, had been thrust below, and the hatches thrown over them. They had heard the din of battle above, but knew not how the conflict had terminated, and being afraid to cry out had remained silent and tell 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 related how the pirates had suddenly burst upon them, had slaughtered all the men, set fire to the village, and had driven them before them across the island to the ships. The poor creatures were delighted at their escape from slavery, but at the same time were full of grief at the loss of husbands, fathers, and sons. Some laughed, others cried, while some thanked God for their rescue. Others heaped implications upon the authors of their misfortunes. The knights explained to them that for a short time they must remain on board, as half the pirates were still on shore, but that aid would soon arrive that would enable them to clear the island. Half an hour later Sir John Boswell with the two young knights started in a rowing boat manned by ten of the galley slaves. The wind had sprung up since the fight ceased, and as it was nearly a stern they anticipated that they would make a good passage, and be at the little islet named as the place of rendezvous before nightfall. Among the many bails of rich merchandise in the hold of the pirate vessels, an abundance of wine had been discovered, and of this tankard had been given to each of the slaves by Sir Louis's orders as a token of satisfaction at their work in the morning. They had gone some two miles when from one of the inlets in the island they had left a large fishing boat was seen to issue out. By St. George, Sir John explained, that boat must be full of pirates, and if they see us which they cannot help doing, and take it in their heads to chase us, we shall have a hard time of it. The fishing boat for a few minutes kept along the coast, and then suddenly her course was altered, and her head directed towards their boat. Now stretch to your oars, Sir John, who spoke some Turkish, said to the slaves, keep ahead of that boat, and I promise you on my honor as a Christian knight, that I will myself purchase your freedom as soon as we get to Rhodes. With a shout of delight the galley slaves bent to their oars, and the boat flew along at a greatly increased speed. There is but a small chance of our getting away, Sir John said quietly, at present we must be rowing as fast as they sail, but wind never tires while there are limits to the powers of muscle and bone. If those fellows follow us, and I doubt not that they will, for they must be thirsting for vengeance. 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 we any hope of assistance from our friends behind. The inlet looks east, and they will know nothing of our danger, nor if they did could they help us. The galley is short-handed now, and there are the captured ships to look after, and the captives we rescued. We have only ourselves to depend on. At the end of an hour's rowing the boat astern had gained little, but the exertions of the rowers were telling severely upon them. They were still doing 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 boat. Three miles ahead of them was an islet about half a mile in diameter. In some parts it was covered with foilage, but elsewhere it was bare rock. That must be our goal, Sir John said. They will be close to us by the time we get there. Then he said to the rowers, Stop for a minute to get breath. We will land at that islet 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 hide yourselves as best you may. I leave the choice to yourselves. If we are overtaken in fall, I cannot keep my promise, and it will be best then for you to remain in the boat. For three or four minutes the slaves bent forward over their oars, but as soon as Sir John gave the word they straightened themselves up and began rowing again. The rest had done them good, and they again fell into a long, steady stroke. Shall we buckle on our armor again? Sir Ralph Harcourt asked, for they had not put it on when they left the ship, as the heat was very great. I think we had better don our mill shirts only, and climbing about that rock ahead of us the less weight we carried the better, and with this heat I would rather fight unprotected than in cask and armor. Besides there could be little doubt that if they come upon us it will be our last battle. That craft behind us is crowded with men, and armor and no armor, it will come to the same in the end. If it were not that we have a mission to fulfill, 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 the foot of the rocks there, where they cannot attack us in the rear, and there fight it out as becomes knights of the cross. But as it is our duty, above all things to carry this message, we must strive to preserve our lives, and must if we can, conceal ourselves from these painings. What are you going to do? Sir John asked the slaves, when they were within a quarter of a mile of the islet, I should think after we have left the boat it will be best for you to sit quietly on your benches till our pursuers arrive. They would cut our throats at once, Sir Knight. They will be furious at our having given them so long a chase, as in at least men care little whom they slay, and irritated by their misfortune, it will be not to them whether we are Muslim or Christian. I for one shall take to the woods and hide. There was a chorus of ascent among the other rowers. I trust that you may escape, the Knight said. It is for us they will be hunting, and if they catch and slay us they will not trouble to search the island further. It seems to me, Sir John, Gervais said, that with the aid of these good fellows we may yet have a chance of escape. What is your plan, Sir Gervais? I think, Sir John, that if when we land we climb straight up that hill, in full sight of the shore, the pirates when they see us will follow at once. The slaves should therefore be safe for a time if they hide in that woods the 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? It is probable that most of the pirates will start in pursuit of us, and if we and the slaves make a rush for the shore we may seize our boat, push off, and capture their craft. If there are but a few left on board, knock out a plank and scuttle her, and then row away. By saying, George, your plan is a good one, treat him, a right good scheme, and we will try it. He at once translated what Gervais had said to the rowers, by whom it was received with short exclamations of approval, for they were too breathless and exhausted for talk. Already they could hear the yells of the pirates, who as the boat ran up on the beach were but a quarter of a mile behind. Now away for that wood, Sir John cried as he left the shore, now comrades for a climb up the hill. It was a steep ascent, and more than once one had to be helped up by the others, and then in turn to assist them to get up beside him. Louder and louder rose the shouts of the pirates, but the knights did not glance back until they reached the top of the hill. Then they turned and looked round. A swarm of men were climbing after them, and were already halfway up the cliff. Heave them down, Sir John explained, pointing to some loose rocks, and set the example by lifting a great stone and hurling it over the edge. Harcourt and Gervais at once did the same, and twenty or thirty rocks were speedily sent rolling down the steep ascent, and yells, shouts, and cries were heard below. That will check them a bit, now let us be off. Sir John Boswell said, and they at once started. After crossing a hundred yards of bare rock they stood at the edge of another slope into a deep valley, beyond which rose the central hill of 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 Muslims had reached the brow behind them. A minute later they heard the shouts of their enemies. Once in the wood they turned to the left, and in a few minutes stood on the seashore. It was a little bay some two hundred yards across, and at either point the cliffs rose abruptly from the water. We shall have to swim around the point, Sir John said. Take off your male shirts, we will make our way along the rocks as far as we can, and then drop them into the sea, otherwise they will know that we have taken to the water. They hurried along the rocks, and were able to make their way to within fifty yards of the point. Then throwing their male shirts into the sea they plunged in. All knew the importance of getting round before any of the pirates who would be searching the valley came down on the shore, 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 point where they had left the boat. There was no longer any occasion for speed, and they made their way through the thick bushes and undergrowth quietly until they recovered breath after their exertions. They had gone a few hundred yards when from the bushes the slave suddenly rose up. All has gone well, Sir John said to them in their own language. The pirates are searching for us on the other side of the hill. There are not likely to be many of them left here. We shall soon be in possession of our boat again. Followed by the slaves they made their way forward until they stood at the edge of the wood. Five or six pirates were standing on the shore. I expect they have been left there, our court said, to prevent the slaves from carrying off the boat. They must have seen them run into the wood. They won't reckon on our being with them. Drawing their swords the three knights rushed out followed by the slaves. They had but a hundred yards to run. The pirates on seeing them raised a yell and drew their scimitars. But the sight of the knights rushing upon them, when they had expected but a few unarmed growers, was too much for their courage. And when their assailants were still fifty yards away they turned and fled. The fishing craft had been run ashore but a few yards from their boat. Get her a float harcourt and bring her to the stern of the fishermen. Now treach them, follow me. Sir John Boswell climbed up on the fishing boat which was a craft of some fifteen tons burden. She was entirely deserted but the sails still hung from the yard and a fire was burning on a stone hearth raised on some logs of wood in the center of the deck. Look for something to stave in a plank treach them. Gervais leaped down into the hold. There were some nets and spare sails lying there. But nothing that would answer the purpose. He examined the planks. The boat was very strongly and roughly built. There is nothing here, Sir John, that will do. And nothing short of a heavy sledgehammer would suffice to smash one of these planks. There are a lot of them coming down the hill treach them. We have not many minutes to spare but we must disable the craft. They will soon be after us again. They have run her hard and fast here but when they all come back they will soon get her off. Let us try one of these sweeps. He lifted one of the heavy oars and holding it upright he and Gervais together tried to drive the handle through the bottom. Again and again they raised it and drove it down. But the plank was too strong and too securely fastened to the timbers. We must give it up, the knight said with a sigh. Fortune has befriended us so far treach him. But she has deserted us at last another three minutes. And we shall have thirty or forty of them upon us. At this moment the lads high fell upon the fire. We shall manage yet, he exclaimed. And seizing a blazing brand he jumped below and set fire to the sails stowed there. They were as dry as tinder and the flames shot up at once. That is good treachin', the knight said. But they will put it out before it has caught the boat. Not before it has burnt the sails, Gervais replied. Now for this one. And he applied the brand to the lower edge of the great sail. Without a word Sir John seized the other brand and fired the sail on the other side of the deck. The flames flashed up in a wild yellow rage and alarm broke from the pirates who were now rushing down towards the beach. Now to the boat treach him. We have no time to lose if we would avoid being pounded with stones. They dropped over the stern into the boat. The galley slaves dipped their oars into the water. And she shot away just as the foremost of the pirates reached the edge of the water. A few stones were thrown, but the pirates were so anxious about the craft, by which alone they could escape from the island that the majority at once climbed on board. At a word from the knight, the slaves stopped rowing a hundred yards from the shore. The sail was already consumed and the yard and the upper part of the mass were in flames. A dense smoke was rising from the hold, and the pirates were throwing buckets of water down into it, and a few minutes the smoke decreased. I thought that they would be able to put it out, but as far as we are concerned it matters little. They have lost their sails, and as I saw but four sweeps we can travel five miles to their one. If we find the galleys we will look in here on our way back and if they have not left we will fire that craft more effectually. And then the pirates will be trapped, and we can leave them till we have fetched Officer Lewis in his prizes, and then have a grand hunt here. We took no prisoners before, and a hundred slaves will be a useful addition to our wall builders. Now treachery 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 ducket for our chances had you not thought of that scheme. In the second place we would 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 himself a brave and gallant fighter. We have no lack of sturdy fighters, but the wit to devise and to seize upon the right thing in the moment of danger is vastly more rare. As for myself I have no shame that this lad, who is young enough to be my son, should have thus, twice in a single hour, pointed out the way to safety. With sword and battleaxe I can, I trust, hold my own with any man, but my brain is dull when it comes to hatching schemes. If we live we shall see Gervais one of the most distinguished knights of the Order. While I feel gratified indeed, as I may well be by your commendation, Sir John, I must, under your favour, say that you have given me a far greater degree of credit 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 to a child, as to the plan about the boat, seeing that there was the hill and the wood. It flashed upon me at once that we might make a circuit and come back to her. Just so, lad, that those thoughts did not flash upon my mind, nor upon that of Harcourt. It is just because those sort of ideas do flash upon the minds of some men, and not of others, that the first rise to the rank of distinguished commanders, while the others remain simple knights who would play their part in a charge, or in the defence of a breach, but would be of no account as leaders. Now roll along steadily, men. He went on, speaking to the slaves. We are still in good time, for it was not an hour from the moment we touched the island to our departure from it. And much of that time we have gained by the speed with which you rode before. At any rate, we shall make out the island before sunset, and whether we arrive there a little sooner or later matters little. Harcourt hand me that wine-skin and a goblet. A draught will do us good after our climb and swim, and these good fellows will be none the worse for a cup also. Inspired with the hope of freedom, the slaves rode steadily, and the sun had just set when they entered a little inlet in the rocky isle that was their place of rendezvous. Thanks be to the saints, Sir John exclaimed as they reached the entrance. There is Sandoval's galley. There was a stir on board the galley as the boat was seen approaching. The knights had put on their armour, which they had found still lying in the boat. The pirates in their haste to pursue, having left her unexamined, while those who had remained on guard had abstained from touching anything, until the return of their captain and comrades. Whence come you, Sir John? And what is the news? No misfortune has befallen, records galley, I hope. The Spanish knight in command shouted, as the boat came near not for him to recognize the features of its occupants. All is well, Sir John shouted back. But we have taken more prizes than we can manage, though not without hard fighting. Seven knights have fallen, 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 it is well that it should be given speedily. For if more pirates' vessels come up before you join, record and his companions will be in sorry plight. By this time the boat had reached the side of the galley, and as Sir John and his two companions stepped on board, the knights crowded round to hear the details of the news. Exclamations of approval and satisfaction arose when Sir John related the incidents of the fight, and told them that the four vessels that had fallen into their hands form part of Hassan Ali's fleet. That is good news indeed, Boswell, Don Sandoval said. And I would I had been there to take part in so gallant a fight. It is well you found us here, for with four prizes on hand and with half his strength dead or disabled, record must be in sore need of aid. We will start tomorrow morning at daybreak, as all the ships were taken. There is little fear of any of the other pirates hearing news of what has happened. I don't know, Sir John replied. There were, as I told you, some two hundred pirates left on the island. About half of these, we know, seized a fishing boat and escaped, for they chased us, and we have had 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, where we saw several craft along the shores of the island. If so, they may have made for Hassan Ali's rendezvous, wherever that may be, just as I made here, and by this time some of his ships may be on the way there. By St. Anthony this alters the situation gravely. Don Santavall said, fellow knights, we must lose no time in going to record's assistance. The slaves have had a long row today, 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 is heavy work to be done. Knowing full well that a draught of it helps them mightily in their labours. Your men must have rowed well, Sir John, to have brought you here so quickly. I have promised them their freedom, Sir John said, and they shall have it, even if I have to pay their value into the treasury. As I told you, we were hotly pursued. For the 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 get away. Not only did they row right manfully, but they proved faithful in our extremity, and when all seemed lost, stuck to us instead of deserting and joining the pirates. But how did you get away, Sir John, if their craft out sailed you? I owe my life entirely to the quick wit of my young countrymen, Sir Gervais Trisham here. And Sir John then related the incidents of their adventure on the island, his narrative eliciting warm expressions of approval from the knights. Of course you will go with us, Maswell, Don Santaville said, when the master of the slaves announced that these had eaten their meal and were ready. I must do so, Sir John replied. I want you on your way to look in at that island, where we had so narrow an escape, and if we find their craft still there we can destroy it. The place is directly in our course. We shall therefore lose but little time in looking in. Of course they may have gone as soon as they got their vessel afloat, but it is hardly likely. They will have no idea of my returning with a galley so soon, and will probably set to make a dozen more oars before they start, for she had but four on board, which will scare suffice to send her a mile an hour through the water. Therefore I fancy they will not put off until tomorrow morning. If that is so, and we destroy their craft, they will be trapped in the island, and on our return we can capture them all. I think of leaving Harcourt and Treesham in the boat in order that when Piccolo Minis' galley comes in, they may direct him also to join us. He may be in at any moment. We met him three days since. He had captured a pirate and sent her off under charge of ten of his knights. We agreed to meet him this evening, and as he is not here, he will probably be in the first thing in the morning. Gervais and Harcourt took their places in the boat again. The galley got up at Zanker and started, just as she reached the mouth of the inlet another galley rounded the point and nearly ran into her. I am going to record assistance, Piccolo Minis! Don Santorval shouted. Is it urgent? The commander of the galley shouted back. We have had a very long row, and can go no farther, unless his straight is a very sore one. No, come in the morning. You will hear all the news from the boat lying two hundred yards astern. Two young Elish knights are waiting in her to give you the news. Record has made a fine capture, row on men. And the galley proceeded on her way, while the newcomer proceeded up the harbor. Harcourt and Gervais at once went on board, and the former gave the Italian commander an account of the battle that had taken place, and the capture of the four pirate vessels. After the exclamations of satisfaction by the knights had ceased, he recounted their own adventures, which were heard with lively interest. I hope indeed that Santorval will burn that fishing boat, and that we shall capture the pirates, the commander said. We have need of more slaves to carry out the works at roads. Now let us to suffer, gentlemen, and then to sleep. In six hours we will be off again, for if some more of these villains have escaped and carry the news to Hassan Ali, our soots may be sorely needed by record and Santorval tomorrow. End of Chapter 5 OF A NIGHT OF THE WHITE CROSS Recording by Peter Strom in Sabetha, Kansas on December 25, 2018 Chapter 6 OF A NIGHT OF THE WHITE CROSS by G. A. Hinty This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 6 NIGHTED At three in the morning all on board the galley were a stirrer. A ration of bread and meat was served out to the slaves, and the boat was soon afterwards under way. The rowers of the English knight's boat had been warmly commended by the commander, and placed in charge of the overseer, with instructions that they were to be treated as free men. As soon as the galley slaves set to work, however, they seated themselves on the benches and double-banked some of the oars, anxious to please the knights. With the exception of those whose turn it was to be on watch, most of the knights slept until daybreak. At the rate we are rowing, Gervais, Harcourt said as they went up onto the poop together, it will not take us very long to join our friends. We are going through the water at fully six miles an hour, and as we have already been two hours under way, in another three we shall be there. An hour and a half later they passed the island where they had landed. The two young knights pointed out to the others, the valley into which they had descended, and the point round which they had swung. In a few minutes they caught sight of the landing place. Look, Gervais, there is something black showing just above the water. I see it, I think it is a line of timbers, there were certainly no rocks there when we ran ashore. Then Santeval must have found the craft still there, and burnt her, one of the knights standing by remarked, and the pirates are caged up, it will take them some time to make a raft that will carry them to the next island, and before they can do that we shall be back again. I shall be sorry if they escape, for they are as ruthless a set of villains as sail the seas. The galley had traversed half the remaining distance when the sound of a gun was faintly heard. For a moment there was an absolute hush on the poop. Then three or four shots in rapid succession were heard. Some pirate ships must have come up, the commander exclaimed. Then he shouted down to the slaves, row men, row for your lives. Overseer, do not spare your lash if any hang back from their work. The galley had been travelling fast before, but her speed greatly increased as the slaves rode their hardest. Fast as she was travelling, the impatience of the knights was extreme. They walked up and down the deck, making vows of candles that should be burnt at the shrine of St. John if they arrived in time to take a share in the fight. Stopping at times to listen to the sound of artillery, which was now so frequent as to show that a severe engagement was being fought. Many of the younger knights ran down to the waist and double-banked the oars, and in a shorter time than it seemed possible, the galley arrived at the mouth of the bay. A desperate fight was going on. Rick Hordes' ship lay idle and deserted at anchor. Five pirate crafts surrounded Santoval's galley. Two of them were alongside of her. The others were raking her foreign aft with their shot. The young knights left the oars, sprang up to the poop, and joined in the shot of encouragement raised by the others, and then, resuming their helmets and armor, stood ready to leap on board an enemy as soon as they reached her. Piccolomini directed the helmsman to lay him alongside one of the ships grappling with Santoval. As they came up, their galley's cannon poured their fire into her, and they moment later the knights sprang on board. In the din of battle their shout had been unheard. The pirates thronging the other side of their ship were intent only on overcoming the resistance of the knights. And even the discharge of cannon had not called their attention to their foe, until the latter, shouting the war cry of the order, fell suddenly upon them. A panic at once seized them. Some were cut down almost unresistingly, but the great majority, running to the bow or stern, threw themselves overboard and swam to the other ships. The pirate ship on the other side of Santoval's galley instantly threw off the gratinals, and thrust off from her side, and immediately hauling in the sheets of the big sail, begin at once to draw away while her three consorts made for the mouth of the bay. Back to your galley, comrades, Piccolomini shouted. Or with this brisk wind they will escape us. The knights at once crossed onto their own craft. The oars were got out, and the chase began. A minute or two later Don Santoval followed them, but soon gave up as so large a number of the oars had been broken when the two pirate ships ran alongside him. That it would have been hopeless to pursue. The wind was blowing freshly, and was rapidly increasing in strength, so that, in spite of the efforts of the galley slaves, the pirates gradually drew away, running straight before the wind, and aiding the effects of the sails with oars, seeing the hopelessness of the chase. Piccolomini abandoned it, after rowing for two miles and returned to the island. The other two galleys were lying beside each other, and Piccolomini had his craft steered alongside them. Thanks, Piccolomini, for arriving so opportunely. Santoval, who was seated on the deck leaning against the bulwarks, said, as his fellow commanders leapt on board and came towards him. Wood that I had arrived sooner, Santoval, for I see that you have been grievously wounded. I, one of the panium's cannonballs, has carried off both my legs below the knee. The leech has been searing the wounds with a hot iron, and says that he thinks I shall get over it. But if so, I fear that my fighting days are past, unless indeed I fight seated on a chair. However, I ought not to grumble. I have lost many brave comrades, and others are wounded more sorely than I am. Sir Louis Rekord now joined them. He embraced Piccolomini warmly. I never heard a more welcome shout, Piccolomini, than that which you gave when you fell upon the Muslims. For in truth the issue of the conflict was doubtful. I was delighted when this morning at Daybreak Santoval's galley rode in. We had all kept watch during the night, thinking the pirates might obtain boats and make an attack upon us. And with but 20 of us fit to wield a sword, our position would have been a bad one. And at any rate they might have recaptured the prizes. We agreed that Santoval and his knights should land at once. This they did. Sir John Boswell had of course told me how his boat had been chased by a fishing craft, manned by a large number of pirates, and that he feared the rest might similarly have escaped, and might have gone to bring some more of Hassan Ali's ships upon us. As soon as Santoval landed, some of the natives came down and told him that there was not a pirate remaining there, the rest having started in another boat a few minutes after the one that had chased Boswell. Santoval left two of his men with orders to ascend to the highest spot on the island, and to keep watch, and then brought the rest off to his galley. Our first step was, of course, to send all the women and children ashore. Then we consulted as to what had best be done that the pirates should come back and force. We hoped at any rate that this would not happen until you arrived. We expected that you would be here before noon, but we decided that should they get here before you, we from our galley should embark on Santoval's, as it was better to fight in one strongly manned boat than to divide our forces. It was scarce half an hour after Santoval came down before the men left on the lookout, appeared on the beach. On fetching them off, they told us that as soon as they reached the top of the hill, they saw five vessels approaching with sails and doors, and that they would be here in half an hour at the outside. We had once abandoned my galley, brought the roars and the wounded here, and prepared for the fight. As you saw, they ran their two biggest ships alongside us, and for two hours the fight went on. They were crowded with men, who in vain strove to get a footing on our decks. Had we only had these two to deal with, we should have had nothing to fear, heavily manned though they were. But the other three kept sailing backwards and forwards, discharging their guns into us as they passed, firing not only shot, but bags of bullets. Their gunners were skillful, and as you see they have completely riddled our poop. Twenty knights had been killed, and eleven others sorely wounded. Scarce One has escaped unscathed. You may guess then how welcome was your aid, which we had not expected for another three hours. We were on the point of abandoning the waste and gathering on the poop, which we could still have defended for a considerable time. When as if dropped from the skies you fell upon the pirates and turned the tables. How is it that you were here so early? We started at three o'clock instead of waiting for daybreak. As seen from the story of the two young knights, that it was possible you might be attacked early, and crippled as your command was, and with four prizes on your hands, I deemed it best to come on as soon as the roars had had a few hours rest. It is well that you did so. It would have been a grievous affair had two of our galleys been captured by the pirates. It would have been a blow to the prestige of the order. It would have brought such strength to Hassan Ali and other pirate leaders that nothing short of sending out a fleet would have recovered our ascendancy. And as every ducket we can spare has to be spent on the fortifications, it would have been a misfortune indeed had we been obliged to fit out such an expedition at present. Who have fallen, Sir Lewis? Five more of the knights of my galley. Pierre de Vignes, Roald de Montpelier, Ernest Schmitt, Raymond Garcia, and Albert Schenck. Here is the list of the knights of Sentoval's galley. Tis a long list and a sad one, Piccolomini said after reading the names. With the seven who fell in your first fight, 27 knights have fallen, all brave comrades. Truly we can ill spare such a loss. It is true there are five prizes to show for it, and we have struck Hassan Ali a blow that will resound through the Levant. But the cost is heavy. It is indeed, Riccord agreed. The four vessels are well filled with rich spoil that the scoundrels have gathered, and I doubt not that the one you captured is equally rich. Still, had they been ten times as valuable, the booty would have been dearly purchased at such a price. There was now a consultation among the leaders, and it was agreed that six knights should be placed in each of the captured ships, with ten of the galley slaves to work the sails, the others being equally divided between the three galleys. They were in the first place to row to the island where the pirates were imprisoned, and to slay or capture the whole of them, afterwards they were to make direct for roads. With so numerous a fleet there was no fear of their being attacked. The arrangements took but a short time to complete. An hour later they left the port, the three galleys rowing ahead, while the five prizes under easy sail followed them. Sir John Boswell had been wounded, but not so seriously as to altogether disable him, and he was in command of one of the prizes, having Sir Adam Ted Bond, Harcourt, Gervais, and a German knight with him, Sir Marmaduke Lumley, who after the first fight was over was found to the surprise and pleasure of his comrades, to be still living, was with the rest of the wounded, on board one of the galleys. Two of the pirates had fallen dead across him, and in the ardour of their attack on the knights, he had lain there unnoticed until the return of Sir Louis and his comrades had driven the pirates overboard. The leech was of opinion that he might yet recover from his wound. On arriving at the island, sixty of the knights disembarked. The woods near the shore were first searched, but were found untenanted. They were about to advance up the hill when a man appeared on the crest above them, wading a white flag. He was told to come down, and on his arrival said that he was sent by his companions to offer to surrender, on the promise that their lives should be spared. The knights were well pleased to be saved the trouble of a long search through the woods, and the messenger left at once to acquaint the pirates, that their terms were accepted. In a short time some eighty men made their way down the hill. On reaching the beach they were disarmed, divided equally between the galleys, and distributed among the rowers, filling up the place of those who had been killed by the fire of the Muslims, and of the men drafted into the prizes. They begged for food and water before they began work, and on being questioned, admitted that their surrender was due principally to the fact that they had been unable to find food of any sort on the island, and that after searching all over it no spring of water could be discovered. In that case, Sir John Boswell said, I have no doubt that they have all surrendered. I before thought it probable that a good many of them would have remained hidden, trusting to be able to make a raft after we had left, and so get away, believing rightly enough that we should be disinclined to search every foot of the island for them. As it is, I doubt not, all are here. The little fleet anchored that night at the rendezvous, and after two more days rowing reached roads, where the appearance of the three galleys, followed by their five prizes, was greeted with great acclamation. The news, however, that twenty-seven knights had fallen, and that thirteen or fourteen others were very gravely wounded, damped the satisfaction that everyone had first felt. D. Albuson came down as soon as they reached the mole, and was greatly affected when he received Record's report. It is an unfortunate loss indeed, Sir Louis, he said, though it may be that the victory is not too dearly purchased. I do not speak of the captured ships, nor of the spoil they contain, nor even of the slaves you have brought us. Welcome, though all may be, but of the effect that the defeat and capture of these craft of Hassan Ali's will have. It is plain that the preparations the Sultan is making, and the belief that roads is doomed, have so encouraged the infidels that they are becoming really formidable at sea. This blow will show them that the order has yet power to sweep the sea of pirates. Since, however, this adventure has taught us that a single leader like Hassan sails with at least nine ships under his orders. It is clear that in future our galleys must not adventure singly among the islands. It was fortunate indeed that for Santoval and then Piccolomini arrive to your assistance. How was it that they happened to come up so opportunely? Sir John Boswell, with Ralph Harcourt and Gervais Trisham, went in a boat to the rendezvous he had arranged, and reached it after an adventure, which I will leave Sir John to tell himself. I may say that the two young knights named had in our encounter both obtained very high credit amongst us all for the valor with which they fought. No one bore himself more stoutly, and I am glad to take this early opportunity of bringing their conduct before your notice. As you will learn from Sir John, Gervais Trisham afterwards showed a quickness of wit that was the means of saving the lives of those with him, and I may say also of all with me. For had they failed to reach the rendezvous, we should have fallen easy victims to the five ships Hassan Ali brought against us. Sending for Sir John Boswell, the grand prior heard from him the details of his adventure in the boat. I am right glad to hear you speak so warmly of Trisham, Sir John, for I regard him as my special protégé, and am pleased indeed to find it at this outset of his career he has proved himself not only a brave knight, but full of resource and quick at invention. I think, Sir John, that these two young knights have shown themselves well worthy of receiving the honor of secular knighthood. Assuredly they have, Sir John agreed. Then, Sir John, will you bestow it upon them? The order as an order does not bestow the honor, but its members do not forfeit their right as knights to bestow it individually, and none among us are more worthy of admitting them to your rank than yourself. I would gladly do it, Sir Peter, but the honor would come far better from yourself, and would not only be more highly prized by them, but would be of greater value in the eyes of others. I am but a simple knight commander of the order, and my name would scarce be known beyond its ranks, but to be knighted by one whose name is known and honored throughout Europe would give them a standing wherever they went, and place them on a level with the best. If that is your opinion, Boswell, I will myself undertake it, and will do it at once. It were better done here than at a conclave of the order. Now, when they are fresh from the battle, let the knights be summoned from the other galleys at once. In a few minutes, the whole of the knights were assembled on the poop of the galley. Friends and brother knights, Diabeson said, first in the name of the order, I have to thank you all most heartily for the brave deeds that you have performed, and for the fresh honor you have won for it. Every man has, as I learned from the three commanders, born himself as a true and valiant knight, ready to give his life in the cause of the order and of humanity. Two names have been specially brought before me by commander Rekord, and by the good knights are John Boswell. They are those of two young companions, who, though knights of our order, have not yet received secular knighthood. And this, in the opinion of these two knights, they have right-worthily won. Sir Ralph Harcourt and Sir Gervais Trisham stepped forward. The two young knights, coloring with pleasure at this unexpected honor, removed their helmets and stood with bowed heads before the grand prior. Diabeson went on, turning to the knights around him. I am about, comrades, to undertake the office of knighting them. Sir Louis Rekord and Sir John Boswell stand as their sponsors. But before I proceed, I would ask you all whether you too approve, and hold that Sir Ralph Harcourt and Sir Gervais Trisham have proved themselves worthy of the honor of secular knighthood at my hands. There was a general reply in the affirmative. The answer of the survivors of Rekord's crew being especially emphatic. The grand prior drew his sword, and the two young knights knelt before him, their sponsors standing beside them. Sir Ralph Harcourt, you have now been four years a knight of this order, but hitherto you have had no opportunity of drawing sword against the infidels. Now that the chance has come, you have proved yourself a true and valiant brother of the order, and well worthy of the secular accolade. It is in that capacity that I now knight you. It is not the grand prior of Averny, but Sir Peter Diabeson of the Grand Cross of Saint Louis, who now bestows upon you the honor of secular knighthood. He touched him lightly with the sword. He then turned to Gervais. You, Sir Gervais Trisham, are young indeed to receive the honor of secular knighthood, but Valar is of no age, and in the opinion of your commanders, and in that of your comrades, you have proved yourself worthy of the honor. You have shown too that as Sir John Boswell has related to me, you are not only brave in action, but able in the moment of danger to plan and execute. You were, he tells me, the means of saving his life and that of your comrade, and by thus enabling him to bear to the place of Rendezvous the news of Sir Louis's danger, were also the means of saving the lives of Sir Louis and his companions, and of bringing home in safety the prizes he had taken. With such a beginning it is easy to foresee that you will win for yourself some day a distinguished position in the ranks of the order, and our most worthy of the honor I now bestow upon you. And he touched him with his sword. The two young knights rose to their feet, bowed deeply to Diobeson, and then retired with their sponsors. They were at once surrounded by the knights, who shook them by the hand and warmly congratulated them upon the honor that had befallen them, receiving equally warm congratulations on their arrival at the aburge of the Lang. The five prizes turned out when their cargos were landed, to be much more valuable than the cursory examination made by the knights had warranted them in expecting. They contained, indeed, an accumulation of the most valuable contents of the prizes taken by the pirates for a long time previously. And as these desperados preyed upon Turkish commerce, as well as Christian, the goods consisted largely of eastern manufacturers of all kind. Costly robes, delicate embroidery, superb carpets, shawls, goldsmiths work, and no small amount of jewels were among the spoil collected. And the bulk of the merchandise captured was, two days later, dispatched in galleys to Genoa and Marseille to be sold for the benefit of the order. Diabason, without hesitation carried out Sir John Boswell's promise to the slaves who had rode his boat. They were not only set at liberty, but were each presented with a sum of money, and were placed on board a galley and landed on the mainland. The English knights were all proud of the honor that had been won by their young countrymen, the only exception being Robert Rivers, who was devoured with jealousy at their advancement. He did not openly display his feelings for the reports not only of Sir John Boswell, but of the other two English knights were so strong that he dared not express his discontent. He himself had twice been engaged with pirates, but had gained no particular credit, and indeed had, in the opinion of his comrades, been somewhat slack in the fray. He was no favorite in the aburge, though he spared no pains to ingratiate himself with the senior knights, and had a short time before been very severely reprimanded by the bailiff for striking one of the servants. I have more than once had to reprove you for your manners to the servants, the bailiff said. You will now be punished by this septane. You will fast for seven days. On Wednesday and Friday you will receive bread and water only, and will be confined to the aburge for that period. The next time that I have reason to complain of you, I shall bring the matter before the Grand Master, and represent to him that it were best to send you home, since you cannot comport yourself to the servants of the aburge as befits a night of the order. We have always borne the reputation of being specially kind to our servants, and it is intolerable that one who has been but a short time only a professed knight should behave with a hatir and insolence that not even the oldest among us would permit himself. There is not one of the servants here who was not in his own country of a rank and station equal, if not superior to your own, and though misfortune has fallen upon them, they are to be pitied rather than condemned for it. In future you are to give no order whatever to the servants, nor to address them, save when it meals you require anything. If you have any complaints to make of their conduct to you, you will make them to me, and I will inquire into the matter. And if I find they have failed in their duty, they will be punished. I shall keep by eye upon you in the future. There are other faults that I have observed in you, more than ones I have heard you address, Sir Gervais Trisham, in a manner which we're not dueling forbidden by our rules, might bring about bloodshed, and from what I have seen when I have been watching the exercises, he is as much or superior in arms as he is in manner in disposition. This reproof had greatly subdued Robert Rivers, and as he felt that any display of his jealousy of Gervais would be resented by the other knights, and might result in serious consequences to himself, he abstained from any exhibition of it when they returned to the aburge, although he could not bring himself to join in the congratulations offered to them. The next day however, when he was talking to Ralph Harcourt, he remarked, From what I hear, Harcourt, Diabasan praised young Trisham very highly. It seems to me that there was nothing at all out of the way in what he did. It was very unfair that he should be selected for higher praise than yourself. It was not unfair at all, Ralph said warmly, for he was of a generous nature, and incapable of the base feeling of envy. Trisham did a great deal more than I did. When we saw the pirate boating so fast upon us, it seemed to Sir John Boswell, as well as to myself, that there was scarce a chance of escape, and that all we could do was to choose a spot on which to make a stand, and then to sell our lives as dearly as we could. I could see that Sir John was scanning the hill for a spot where we could best defend ourselves. As to hiding on so small an island, with a hundred men eager for our blood searching for us, it was well not impossible. It was Trisham's suggestion alone that saved our lives, and enabled us to fetch Succour to Sir Louis. Sir John, who is an old and tried soldier, said that for quickness and merit of conception, the oldest knight of the Order could not have done better, and he is not one to praise undue. I am four years older than Gervais Trisham, but I tell you that were he named tomorrow commander of a galley, I would willingly serve under him. Well, well, you need not be angry, Harcourt. I have nothing to say against Trisham. No doubt he had a happy thought, which turned out well. But I cannot see that there was anything wonderful in it, and it seemed to me unfair that one who is a mere boy should receive higher praise than yourself. Who, as I heard Sir John, and Sir Adam Tedbon say last night at the refectory, bore yourself right gallantly. I did my best, Ralph said shortly. But there was small credit in that when we were fighting for our lives. The most cowardly beast will fight under such circumstances. When you see a Muslim rushing at you, Sematar in hand, you know that if you do not cut him down, he will cut you down. You naturally strike as hard and as quickly as you can. You have never liked Gervais Rivers. I am sure I don't know why, but you always speak in a contemptuous sort of tone about him. True, it does him no harm. But it certainly does you know good. For what reason should you feel a contempt for him? Although so much younger he is a better swordsman and a better rider than you are. He is liked by everyone in the Aburge, which is more than can be said of yourself. He is always good tempered and is quiet and unassuming. What on earth do you always set yourself against him for? I do not know that I do set myself against him. Rivers said solemnly. I own to having no great liking for him, which is natural enough seeing that his father was a Lancastrian while we are Yorkus. But it is not pleasant to see so much made of a boy, merely because the Abbasin has favored him. I am certain, hardcore said hotly, that such an idea has never occurred to anyone but yourself. Sir Peter is a great man and will soon be our grand master, but at present he is but grand prior of the Lang of Aburge, and whether he favors Trisha or not is a matter that concerns none of us. Gervais is liked by us for his own good qualities. He bears himself as a young knight should do. Respectfully towards his seniors, it is ever ready to do a service to anyone. No one has ever seen him out of temper. He is always kind and considerate to the servants, and when in command of parties of slaves at the public works, never says a harsh word to them, but treats them as if they were human beings, and not brute beasts. Besides, though he is more skillful than any of us with his sword, or indeed at any of the military exercises, he is unassuming and has no particle of pride or arrogance. It is for all these things that he is liked, and the friendship of the Abbasin has not whatever to do with it. It is not only the Abbasin who has prophesied that he will rise to a distinguished rank in the order. Boswell and Rikord both said the same, and I for one thoroughly believe it. Is there one among us under the age of twenty, and I might go farther, who has already won such credit for himself? One who in but sixteen can make his mark in an order like ours is certain to rise to high office, and you and I may, before many years are over, be proud to serve under him. That I will never do, Rivers said fiercely. I would rather go and bury myself for life in the smallest commandery in England. That may be, Harcourt retorted, his temper also roused, but possibly you might prefer that to fighting under any other leader. That is a reflection on my courage, Sir Ralph Harcourt. I shall lay this matter before the bailiff. You can do as you like, Harcourt said distinctly, but I don't think you will benefit by your pains. When his temper cooled down, Rivers acknowledged to himself the truth of what Harcourt said. He was not in the favour of the bailiff, while both Harcourt and Treisham stood at the present moment high in his estimation. Any complaint would lead to an inquiry into the matter that had led to the former's words, and even if Harcourt were reprimanded for using them, he himself would assuredly not gain in the estimation of the knights. Harcourt himself thought no more of the matter, though he laughingly told Gervais that Rivers was by no means gratified at their both attaining the honour of secular knighthood, which virtually placed them over his head. He is not a nice fellow, Gervais said, but naturally it must be galling to him and to a good many others who have not yet had the chance of distinguishing themselves. I think it is very good of them that they are also kind and cordial. Of course it is otherwise with you, who are as old as most of the other profess knights serving here, but with me it is quite different, and as Rivers somehow has never been very friendly with me, of course it is doubly galling to him. I hope he will soon get an opportunity of winning his spurs too. That is just like you, Treesham. If I were in your place, I should have no good wishes for a fellow who has never lost an opportunity of annoying me, and that without the smallest cause of offense on my part. I am sure I would not wish him ill, Harcourt. You would make allowance for him just as I do, and feel that if he had had the same opportunities, he would have obtained the same credit and honors. End of Chapter 6 Recording by Peter Strom in Sabathec, Kansas, on December 25th, 2018