Page 223 - A Knight of the White Cross

oars was heard. It was a still night, and one of the knights on watch
remarked to him, "It seems to me, Sir Gervaise, that the sound is a confused

one, and that there must be several vessels rowing. Shall I call up our
companions? It may be that it is the pirate fleet coming out."

"You need not do that," Gervaise replied. "I am expecting Sir Ralph to
bring back with him some fishing boats, for which I think I can find a use.

We should have heard before this if the corsairs had been putting out.
Fosco is in his boat watching the mouth of the inlet, and would have started

with the news had there been any stir on board their galleys."

It was a quarter of an hour before a number of dark objects entered the little

bay. As soon as they did so, they ceased rowing, and the splashes of the
anchors as they fell into the water were heard. Then came the sound of a

boat's oars, and Ralph was soon alongside.

"I see that you have succeeded, Ralph."

"There is no fear of failing when one is ready to pay the full value of what

one wants to get. I have bought three coasters and eight fishing boats, and
have a sufficient store of pitch and oil, with plenty of straw and faggots.
There was no difficulty in getting men to come with me. As soon as they

heard that a fleet of eighteen Moorish galleys was in the next bay, they
were ready enough to aid in any plan for their destruction, for they knew

well enough that some of them would be sure to make raids all along the
coast, sacking and burning, and carrying off men, women, and children, as
slaves. I said I only wanted two men for each craft, but so many were

willing to come that I have some thirty more than the number I asked for,
and we can divide these among us. They are strong, active looking

fellows."

"We will keep them here then, Ralph. You see, there are one-and-twenty of

our knights in the three prizes, and as we lost two in the capture, and four
others are not fit to put on armour, we have but six-and-twenty, and the

addition will be very welcome. What are they armed with?"