Page 195 - A Knight of the White Cross

advice, so I should lay before you the two courses open to us, and ask your
opinion upon them. Sir Ralph Harcourt and I are of one mind in the matter,

but as the decision is a grave one we should be loath to act upon it without
your concurrence."

He then repeated the alternatives as he had laid them before Ralph. "Now,"
he went on, "as you see, there is grave danger, and much risk in the one

course; but if successful its advantages are obvious. On the other hand, the
second plan is more sure, more prudent, and more in accordance with the

instructions I have received. I ask you to let me know frankly your opinion
on the subject. If your view agrees with ours, although it will not relieve me
from the responsibility of deciding, it will at least, in the event of things

turning out badly, be a satisfaction to know that the course had your
approval, and that it was your desire, as well as ours, that we should

undertake it. First, then, let all who are in favour of following the pirates go
to the starboard side of the deck, while those who are in favour of joining
Visconti, and laying this serious matter we have discovered before him,

move to the larboard side."

There was a rush of the knights to the right, and not one moved to the other
side.

"Your decision is the same as ours," Gervaise said. "To the north, then! If
there is great peril in the adventure, there is also great honour to be gained."

The knights gave a shout of satisfaction at finding that their choice was also
that of the officers.

"Lay her head to the north," Gervaise said to the pilot. Then he went to the

end of the poop, and ordered the slaves to row on. "Row a long, steady
stroke, such as you can maintain for many hours. We have a long journey
before us, and there is need for haste. Now is the time for willing work."

The oars dipped into the water, and the galley was soon moving along at a

much faster pace than that at which they had performed the journey from
Rhodes. The slaves had not, from their benches, been able to see what had