Page 114 - A Knight of the White Cross

CHAPTER VIII

AN EVENING AT RHODES

Suleiman Ali's advice was carried out. It added considerably to the length
of the voyage; but they saw only one doubtful craft. She was lying close

inshore under the shadow of the sand hills, and they did not see her until
she hoisted her sails and shot out from the land. They were, however, three

miles distant from the land at the time, and the wind was blowing from the
north; consequently the pirate was dead to leeward. Every sail was set at
once on board the trader, and, being a fast sailor, she maintained her

position until nightfall. The wind then dropped, and just as the light faded
they could see that the vessel behind them had put out her sweeps. The

trader kept up her sails until certain that she could be no longer seen; then
the canvas was lowered, and the crew took to the boats and towed her due
north.

The night was fortunately a dark one, and those watching anxiously from

the deck of the trader were unable to discern her pursuer as she passed
behind them. As soon as they were well assured that she must have gone
on, the boats were got in, the sails hoisted again, and, taking advantage of

every light flaw of wind, they proceeded on their course. In the morning the
sails of the galley could be seen on the horizon, but the distance was too

great for her to take up the pursuit again with any chance of success, and
the trader continued her course to Acre without seeing more of her.

As soon as the trader entered the port, the Egyptian captain went on shore,
taking with him a copy of the safe conduct and the letter from the grand

master to the pasha. Going to the residence of the governor, he handed
these to him, saying that he had on board Aga Suleiman Ali, and a knight
who was charged to deliver him up on payment of the ransom.

"I have been expecting you," the governor said. "I have received a letter

from the pasha, stating that he had written to the grand master respecting
the ransom of the aga, and sending me the amount which Suleiman's son
had offered. The young man was not of age when his father was captured,