Page 196 - A Knight of the White Cross

passed on board the dismantled vessel, but from the order and the change of
course, they had no doubt that the knights had obtained some clue to the

direction taken by the corsairs who had captured and sacked the ship.

"There is but little wind," Gervaise said to Ralph, "and their sails will be of
slight use to them; therefore we shall go fully three feet to their two. It is
quite possible that we may not catch sight of them, for we cannot tell

exactly the course they will take. We shall steer for Cape Carbonara, which
is some hundred and thirty miles distant. If we do not see them by the time

we get there, we shall be sure that we have passed them on the way, unless,
indeed, a strong wind should spring up from the south. However, I hope
that we shall catch sight of them before that, for we shall be able from our

lookout to discover their masts and sails some eight or ten miles away,
while they will not be able to see us until we are within half that distance.

They cannot be more than twenty miles away now, for the light breeze will
aid them but little, and as they will see no occasion for haste, they will not
be rowing at their full power, with so long a passage before them."

Already, indeed, one of the knights had perched himself on the seat at the

top of a low mast some fifteen feet above the poop, that served as a
lookout.

"You can see nothing yet, I suppose, Cairoli?"

"No; the line of sea is clear all round."

It was indeed some four hours before the knight on the lookout cried that he

could make out three dark specks on the horizon. Gervaise at once
ascended to the lookout, by the ladder that was fixed against the post.

"They are making to the left of the course we are taking. Turn her head
rather more to the west. That will do. They are directly ahead now." He

then came down to the deck again. "I would that we had seven or eight
more hours of daylight, Ralph, instead of but three at the outside. However,

as we know the course they are taking, we are not likely to miss them, for
as we shall not be near enough for them to make us out before the sun sets,