Page 180 - A Knight of the White Cross

trumpets, and the cheers of the spectators who had gathered at the port to
witness the ceremony.

The next morning a gang of galley slaves were marched down. A third of

these had been drawn from the crews of other galleys, their places being
supplied by new hands. The remainder were taken from the men employed
on the fortifications. Three weeks were occupied in teaching the rowers

their work, and getting them well together. They were a fine crew, for the
governor of St. Pelagius, grateful to Gervaise for the discovery of the plot,

had ordered the overseers to pick out from the various gangs men specially
suited by age and strength for the work.

The dye by this time had entirely worn off his face, and although his hair
was still several shades darker than of old, it differed even more widely

from the ebon hue that it had been when he was in prison. Thus, although
he recognised three or four men upon the benches who had been fellow
occupants of his cell, he had no fear whatever of their detecting in the

commander of the galley their late companion in misfortune.

Only a portion of the knights had been out each day while the crew were
learning to row, as there was but little for them to learn. The galley carried
no sails, and the knights were soldiers rather than sailors, and fought on the

deck of their ship, as if defending a breach, or storming one held by the
enemy. Moreover, as all of them had already made one or more voyages,

they were accustomed to such duties as they would have to discharge on
board.

All were glad when an order was published for the galley to sail. On the
eve of departure Gervaise was sent for by the grand master. The general of

the galleys was with him when Gervaise entered the room. The bailiff of
Auvergne always held the position of grand marshal, and the bailiff of Italy
that of second in command, with the title of grand admiral. These officials,

however, as heads of their respective langues, had many other duties to
perform, and it was only on great occasions that they took any practical

share in the work of which they were nominally heads. The real control in
all naval questions rested with the general of the galleys, who was elected