Page 179 - A Knight of the White Cross

vocation lies wholly in the way of fighting, but it may be that the time will
come when you may have other aims and ambitions, and when the vows of

the Order will gall you."

"I hope not, Sir John," Gervaise said earnestly.

"You are young yet," the knight replied, with an indulgent smile. "Some

day you may think differently. Now," he went on, changing the subject
abruptly, "when will your galley be ready?"

"This is my last ride, Sir John. The shipwrights will have finished
tomorrow, and the next day we shall take possession of her, and begin to

practise, so that each man shall know his duties, and the galley slaves learn
to row well, before we have orders to sail. I wish you were going with us,

Sir John."

"I should like it, lad, in many respects. It does one good to see the

enthusiasm of young men, and doubtless you will be a merry party. But, on
the other hand, unless I mistake, you will be undertaking wild adventures,

and my time for these is well nigh passed. When the Turk comes here, if he
ever comes -- and of that I have little doubt -- I shall be ready to take my
full share of the fighting; but I shall seek adventures no longer, and shall go

no more to sea. Next only to the bailiff, I am the senior of our auberge, and
-- but this is between ourselves, lad -- am like to succeed to the grand

priory of England when it becomes vacant, and if not I shall, as the grand
master has told me, have the offer of the next high office vacant in the
palace."

Two days later Gervaise and his company of young knights went down to

the port to take part in the launch of the new galley. This was the occasion
of a solemn ceremony, the grand master and a large number of knights
being present. A religious service first took place on her poop, and she was

named by the grand master the Santa Barbara. When the ceremony was
over, Gervaise was solemnly invested with the command of the galley by

the grand marshal of the navy; then the shores were struck away, and the
galley glided into the water, amid the firing of guns, the blowing of