Page 105 - A Knight of the White Cross

ourselves with Syria against Constantinople. I am glad to say that I found
him at least as well disposed as any man could be who had been some years

in slavery. He admitted that, for a slave, he had been kindly and gently
treated, and added that any unpleasant memories he might have retained

had been obliterated by the nine months of pleasant companionship spent
with you."

When Gervaise returned to dinner at the auberge, and informed Ralph
Harcourt and the other young knights that he had been appointed to take

charge of the vessel in which Suleiman Ali was to be conveyed to Acre, the
statement was at first received with incredulity. It seemed incredible that
the youngest knight in the langue should be chosen for such a mission,

involving as it did a separate command. Even the older knights, when the
news was passed down the table, were surprised.

"I must say that I am astonished at the grand master's choice. Sir Gervaise
Tresham doubtless distinguished himself greatly some months since, but

from that time he has not been out with the galleys, or, indeed, done
anything that would seem to recommend him for so marked a favour as a

separate command."

"I don't know, Wingate," Sir John Boswell said. "It seems to me that when

a young knight of seventeen eschews all pleasure, refrains from
volunteering for service at sea, and spends his whole time in study, he does

distinguish himself, and that very greatly. Of the three or four hundred
young knights here I doubt if one other would have so acted. Certainly,
none to my knowledge have done so. Yet I do not suppose that D'Aubusson

selected him for this duty as a reward for so much self denial and study, but
because by that self denial and study he is more fitted for it than any of us

here, save some three or four knights in the other langues, all of whom are
in too high a position to be employed in so unimportant a duty. He can
speak Turkish -- not a few score of words and sentences such as I can, but,

as Suleiman Ali tells me, like a native. Were one of us chosen for this
mission, it would be necessary to send an interpreter with him; and every

one knows how hard it is to do business in that manner. It seems to me that
the grand master has acted wisely in putting aside all question of seniority,