Page 228 - A Knight of the White Cross

conspicuous. As soon as you have set them to work, you will examine the
state of the arms, see how many more are needed to complete the list, and

then send off to Sir Ralph, who will furnish as many as are required: the
fishermen have brought their own weapons. See that the slaves are all well

fed today, and, before evening, inspect well their fetters, so that you may be
free from all anxiety as to an attempt by them to escape during the conflict.

"The rest of you will go on board these native craft, and see that the
combustibles are fairly distributed among them, the wood and straw soaked

with pitch and oil, as also the sails and ropes, and that the decks are well
coated; this is a most important duty. Get some torches made also, so that
there shall be two on board each craft; these are to be lighted the last thing

before we get to the point, and will be thrown down into the straw and
faggots in the hold, by the fishermen when they get close to the corsairs.

All this can be prepared before our morning meal, and when you assemble
here I hope to receive your reports that everything is in readiness. One of
the other coasters has some bullocks on board. Sir Ralph will send one to

each of the prizes, and one to us. They had better be killed and cut up at
once, in order that the crews may have two good meals today of fresh meat.

See that the galley slaves have their share."

No time was lost in carrying out the orders. Ralph, as soon as the cloth,

arms, and meat were distributed, went round in a boat to see that the
combustibles were properly laid for firing, and everything done to insure

that the flames should spread rapidly. The Sards shared in the work, and
rations and wine were distributed to them; and when the knights sat down
to their meal on board the galley, they were able to report that everything

was in perfect readiness, and that the work of sewing the mantles was
making good progress.

The day passed slowly to the young knights, all of whom were burning
with excitement at the thought of the coming fray. The released Christians

were no less exultant at the prospect of taking vengeance for the sufferings
they had so long endured, and the scene on board all four ships was most

animated.