Page 148 - A Knight of the White Cross

altogether impossible, unless the key of the pad locks could be stolen from
an overseer, or the man bribed into aiding us."

"And that, I suppose, is impossible?" Gervaise said.

"Certainly, impossible for us who have no money to bribe them with, but
easy enough if any one outside, with ample means, were to set about it.

These overseers are, many of them, sons of Turkish mothers, and have no
sympathy, save that caused by interest, with one parent more than another.

Of course, they are brought up Christians, and taught to hold Moslems in
abhorrence, but I think many of them, if they had their free choice, would
cross to the mainland. Here they have no chance of ever being aught but

what they are -- overseers of slaves, or small prison officials. They are
despised by these haughty knights, and hated by us, while were they to

reach the mainland and adopt their mothers' religion, everything would be
open to them. All followers of the Prophet have an equal chance, and one
may be a soldier today, a bey tomorrow, and a pasha a year hence, if he be

brave, or astute, or capable in any way beyond his fellows. Men like these
warders would be sure to make their way.

"They cannot have gathered much during their service, therefore the offer
of a large sum of money would find plenty among them eager to earn it.

But, you see, they are but the inferiors. On our voyages on board the galley,
the knights inspect our fetters twice a day, and the keys are kept in the

commander's cabin. For an hour or two, when we are not on a long passage,
the padlocks are unfastened, in order that we may jump over and bathe, and
exercise our limbs; but at this time the knights are always on guard, and as

we are without arms we are altogether powerless. It is the same thing here.
The senior warders, who all belong to the Order, although of an inferior

grade, come round, as you have seen, to examine our fetters, and
themselves lock and bar the doors. If one or two of these could be
corrupted, escape would be easy enough."

"But is it impossible to do this?" Gervaise asked eagerly. "My father has

money, and would I know be ready, if I could communicate with him, to
pay a handsome sum, if sure that it would result in my obtaining my