Page 226 - A Knight of the White Cross

CHAPTER XV

A SPLENDID EXPLOIT

Gervaise was up again at dawn. He was amused at the wonder of the
knights, as they came up one by one, at the sight of the little fleet anchored

outside them. As soon as it was fairly daylight, he sent off to the three
prizes to request all the knights to come on board the galley. When all were

assembled there he said, "You are all aware, comrades, that Sir Fabricius
Caretto has brought news that the galleys at Genoa are all laid up, and that
it will be a fortnight before they can put to sea. Long before that, the

corsairs will assuredly be ravaging all the villages and small towns along
the coast of Italy, unless we can prevent their doing so. It would be simple

madness to try to attack them at sea; of that I feel sure you are all
conscious. It would be only throwing away our lives and our galley."

There was a murmur of assent among the knights. They were ready for any
encounter in which there was a chance, however faint, of success; but all

saw that for a single galley to attack one of the largest corsair fleets that had
ever set out, would be nothing short of insanity. Their leader's words,
however, seemed to show that he had some plan in his mind by which he

hoped to strike a blow at the enemy, and all listened eagerly for what was
coming.

"We have heard from our comrade Fosco that their ships lie moored in two
lines, side by side in a narrow inlet. He has returned this morning with the

news that they are still there. He thinks that three or four more have arrived
during the last two days, and it is probable they are waiting for the three we

captured to join them. Tonight it is my intention to attack them, but not by
rowing in and boarding them, for that would be hopeless. Yesterday Sir
Ralph Harcourt went, as you are aware, to fetch provisions. But this was a

part only of the object of his trip. He has, as you see, brought back eleven
craft with him; these, I may tell you, are laden with combustibles -- pitch,

oil, straw, and faggots. They will be rowed and towed to the inlet tonight,
set on fire, and launched against the pirates."