Page 193 - A Knight of the White Cross

"Three galleys," the man replied in a faint whisper.

"Do you know where they were from?"

"Tripoli."

"How long ago?"

"It was about three hours after sunrise when we saw them coming up," the

man said, his voice gaining in strength, as some wine they gave him took
effect. "It was useless to fight, and I hauled down our flag, but in spite of
that one of the pirates fired a broadside, and one of the shot hit the mast and

brought it down, and I was crushed under it. They boarded us, took off all
the crew as captives, and emptied the hold; I knew that I was done for, and

begged them to kill me; but they paid no attention. I know a little of their
language, and as I lay there I caught something of what they were saying;
they are bound for the Island of Sardinia, where they have a rendezvous,

and are to join a great gathering of their consorts. I don't know the name of
the place, but it is on the east coast. More water!"

Gervaise knelt to pour some water between his lips, when he gave a sudden
cry, a shudder ran through his frame, and he was dead.

"Let us return on board, gentlemen," Gervaise said, rising to his feet. "We

can do nothing here."

As soon as he regained the deck of the galley, he signed to Ralph to follow

him below.

"Now, Ralph," he said, "this is one of those cases in which we have to
decide whether we ought or ought not to be prudent. From what that poor
fellow said, the pirates have about five hours' start of us, and as they can

have no idea that they are pursued, we can doubtless overtake them before
they reach Sardinia. The question is, ought we to pursue them at once, or

ought we to coast along until we find Visconti's galley? Three of these
Tripoli pirates, crowded as they always are with men, would prove serious