Page 191 - A Knight of the White Cross

a slave, and would render him capable of better work. There is another
advantage. If the Turks learn that their countrymen in our hands are treated

with a certain amount of kindness and consideration, it might lead them to
act similarly to those of our Order who may be unfortunate enough to fall

into their hands."

"There is a great deal in what you say, Sir Gervaise," one of the knights,

who had before taken the opposite point of view, said. "There is no reason
why our galley should not be a model one, and though, like enough, the

seniors will laugh at our making innovations, D'Aubusson is a reformer,
and will certainly support anything that he sees to be beneficial, from
whatever quarter it comes."

Supper was now served, and the young knights were well pleased with the

entertainment provided for them. It was the principal meal of the day. Their
fast was broken by a glass of wine, a manchet of bread, and fruit soon after
rising. At eleven o'clock they sat down to a more substantial meal; but in

that climate the heat was at that hour considerable, and as there were duties
to be performed, there was no sitting long at table. At supper the day's work

was over, their appetite was sharpened by the cool evening breeze, and the
meal was hearty and prolonged. After it was concluded, several of the
knights brought up from below viols and other instruments of music; for

the ability to accompany the voice with such an instrument was considered
an essential part of the education of a knight.

For some hours the songs and romances, so popular at the time, were sung
in the various languages represented on board; then the knights, one by one,

went down to their sleeping places, until only the seven knights of the
langue of Auvergne, who were to watch the first night, remained on deck.

Five of these wrapped themselves in their mantles and lay down on the
benches. One of the others descended to the waist, walked along the plank
between the lines of sleeping slaves, and took up his place in the bow,

while the other paced up and down the poop, the fall of his footsteps being
the only sound to break the silence that reigned throughout the ship.