Page 125 - A Knight of the White Cross

Order with any idea of gaining office or dignity. I desire simply to be a
knight of the Cross, and to spend my life in doing faithful service to the

Order."

"A worthy ambition indeed, and one that, so far as my experience goes,
very few knights entertain. I see yearly scores of young knights depart, no
small proportion of whom never place foot on Rhodes again, although

doubtless many of them will hasten back again as soon as the danger of an
assault from the Turks becomes imminent. You see, we who dwell here

under the protection of the Order naturally talk over these things among
ourselves; and although, in the matter of fortifications, all will admit that
enormous efforts have been made to render the town secure, it is clear that

in the matter of knights to defend them there is very much left to be
desired. It is all very well to say that the knights from all parts of Europe

would flock hither to defend it; but the journey would be a long one, and
would occupy much time, and they would probably not receive news that
the Turks had sailed until the place was already invested. Then it would be

difficult, if not altogether impossible, for ships with reinforcements to make
their way through the Turkish fleet, and to enter the port. To man the walls

properly would need a force five times as numerous as that which is now
here. I recognise the valour of your knights; they have accomplished
wonders. But even they cannot accomplish impossibilities. For a time they

could hold the walls; but as their number became reduced by the fire of the
Turkish cannon and the battles at the breaches, they would at last be too

weak any longer to repel the onslaughts of foes with an almost unlimited
supply of soldiers."

"That is true enough," Gervaise admitted; "and to my mind it is shocking
that four-fifths at least of the Order, pledged to oppose the infidels, should

be occupied with the inglorious work of looking after the manors and
estates of the society throughout Europe, while one-fifth, at most, are here
performing the duties to which all are sworn. Of the revenues of the estates

themselves, a mere fraction finds its way hither. Still, I trust that the greater
part of the knights will hasten here as soon as danger becomes imminent,

without waiting for the news that the Turkish armament has actually set
forth."