Page 192 - A Knight of the White Cross

In the morning, as soon as the knights had all taken a plunge in the sea, the
oars were got out, and the galley proceeded on her way. Passing through

the islands and skirting the southern shore of Greece, she continued her
course west. Malta was sighted, but they did not put in there. Pantellaria

was passed, and in a fortnight after leaving Rhodes, Cape Bon, at the
entrance to the bay of Tunis, was sighted. Until Greece was left behind
them, the nights had generally been spent in small ports, where supplies of

fresh meat, fish, and fruit, were obtainable. So far no incident had marked
the voyage. The weather had continued fine, and they had heard nothing,

from ships they had fallen in with, of any Moslem pirates having been seen.
A few hours, however, after sighting the coast of Africa, a dark object was
seen ahead.

"It is a ship of some sort," Ralph said; "but her masts have gone. It may be

that she is a merchantman that has been captured and sacked by the
Moorish pirates."

Orders were given to the rowers to quicken their pace, and in little over an
hour they were alongside the hull. As soon as the vessels were close

enough for those on the poop of the galley to look down on to the deck of
the other craft, it was seen that Ralph's suppositions were correct. Two
bodies lay stretched upon it. One was crushed under the fallen mast; the

other lay huddled up in a heap, a cannon ball having almost torn him
asunder. The knights leapt on to the deck as soon as the galley ran

alongside. Gervaise made first for the man lying beneath the mast; as he
came up to him, the sailor opened his eyes and murmured, "Water!"
Gervaise called out to one of the servants to bring water from the galley,

and, as soon as it came, poured some between the man's lips, and the
knights by their united efforts lifted the mast from across his body. It was

evident, however, that he had but a short time to live, and the dew of death
was on his face. After a few minutes he rallied a little, and looked
gratefully at his rescuers.

"You have been attacked by pirates," Gervaise said. "Was there one galley,

or two?"