Page 220 - A Knight of the White Cross

we could have the fire ships rowed in by three or four men in each, they
having a boat behind in which to escape as soon as the boats are lighted.

The sight of a dozen craft coming down on them in flames would cause a
terrific panic, for, moored closely together, as they are, if one took fire

there would be little chance of the others escaping. Of course, we should
add to the confusion by opening a fire with all our guns, and could hope to
capture some at least of them as they tried to make their way out."

"It is a grand idea, Gervaise; a splendid idea! It would be a terrific blow to

the Moors, and would make the sea safe from them for a long time."

"When you buy the other things, Ralph, get a quantity of black cloth -- it

matters not how coarse, or of what material; and also some white. As soon
as you come back with it, all hands shall set to work to make the stuff up

into mantles of the Order, with the white cross. We will put these on to the
Christians in the prizes, and the Moors will suppose that they are attacked
by four of the galleys of the Order. If you can get some more arms and

some iron headpieces, all the better."

"I will do what I can, Gervaise; the arms will certainly be wanted, for those
we found on the decks were sufficient only to arm half the Christians. As to
the steel caps, that will not matter so much, as in the darkness and

confusion the sight of the mantles will be quite enough to convince the
corsairs that we are all knights of the Order. By the way, Gervaise, we have

not yet looked into the holds of the prizes."

"That is so, Ralph; we knew, of course, that as the ships had but just started

we should find nothing in them save the cargo of that unfortunate craft they
captured."

On searching they found, as they had expected, that the cargo of the
captured ship had been of no great value. It consisted of wine, olive oil, and

grain. These were all useful, for the number of mouths to be fed was
considerable, and heavy inroads had already been made on the stores of the

galley. The rowers of the four vessels were at once set to work to crush the
grain between flat stones brought from the shore, and an ample supply of