Page 205 - A Knight of the White Cross

in the hands of these corsairs. Assuredly no one would know us, so changed
are we." He looked round inquiringly for a familiar face. "Your commander

must surely be a comrade of ours?"

"We know all your names," Gervaise said, coming forward, "though none
of us reached the convent until after your capture. I have the honour to
command this galley. My name is Gervaise Tresham, and I have for my

lieutenant Sir Ralph Harcourt. All of us, glad as we are at the capture we
have effected of these three corsairs, are still more pleased that we should

have been the means of rescuing three noble knights of our Order from
captivity. Now, I pray you first of all to accompany me on board the galley,
where we will do all we can to make you forget the sufferings you have

gone through. After you have bathed, and reclad yourselves, I will present
to you the knights my comrades, amongst whom are seven of your own

langue. Three of these I will tell off to see to your comfort, for, as you will
understand, I have my hands full indeed at present."

"First, before all things, Sir Knight, let me express to you all our deep
gratitude and our admiration of the gallant deed that you have

accomplished in thus, single handed, capturing three vessels belonging to
the fiercest and most dreaded of the corsairs of Tripoli. God bless you all,
sirs" -- and his voice broke again -- "for the deed you have done, and for

bringing us out of this living hell!"

Gervaise called to three of the Italian knights, and, followed by them and
the released captives, led the way to the galley. Here he left them in charge
of their countrymen. "Give them each a draught of old Cyprus, and

something to eat," he said aside to one of the knights; "they sorely need
refreshment before aught else, for, as you see, they are well nigh dazed with

this unlooked for change. I will put out clothes enough for one of them; the
others you must supply for the present from your stores. Now I must be
off."

There was indeed much to be done. Four of the knights were told off to

attend upon the most urgent cases among their own wounded. Only two of
their number had been killed outright, but there were four serious cases