Page 194 - A Knight of the White Cross

opponents, yet we might engage them with a fair hope of victory. But we
may be seriously disabled in the fight, and should be, perhaps, unable to

carry the news to Genoa that there are many pirate ships gathering on the
coast of Sardinia to prey upon their commerce."

"We might be days, or even weeks, before we light upon Visconti's galley,
Gervaise, and even when we found it, he might not consider himself

justified in leaving the coast where he is stationed. Besides, while we are
spending our time looking for him, the pirates will be committing terrible

depredations. It must be a big expedition, under some notorious pirate, or
they would never venture so far north."

"Then you think that I should be justified in pursuing them alone. It is a
fearful responsibility to have to decide."

"I think so, Gervaise. There is no saying what misfortunes might happen if
we did not venture to do so."

"Very well then, so be it. But before deciding finally on so grave a matter, I

will lay it before the company."

"There is no doubt as to what their decision will be," Ralph said, with a

smile.

"Perhaps not, Ralph; but as they will be called upon to risk their lives in a
dangerous enterprise, it is as well that they should have a say in the matter."

When they returned on to the poop, there was an expression of eagerness
and excitement on the faces of the young knights which showed how

anxiously they had been awaiting the result of the conference below.
Gervaise stepped on to a bench, and motioned to them to close up round
him.

"Comrades," he said, "although the responsibility of whatever course may

be taken must rest upon my shoulders, yet I think it but right that, as a
general before a battle often calls a council of war to assist him with its