Page 229 - A Knight of the White Cross

After talking it over with Ralph, Gervaise told off three more of the knights
to each of the prizes, so that there should be ten on board each. This

reduced the strength on board the galley to seventeen; but as they would
have the assistance of a strong band of Sards they considered this to be

ample, under the circumstances. It was arranged that the galley, with one of
the prizes, should close with the first corsair that came out, and that the
other two prizes should attack the second. After capturing these, they were

to assist each other as circumstances might dictate. Gervaise strongly
impressed upon the knights in command of each prize that they were not,

single handed, to attack a corsair unless one of their consorts was near, and
free to give assistance.

"We must run no risk of a reverse," he said. "We are certain of destroying
many of their vessels and of breaking up their fleet, and it is far better that a

few should escape than that we should run the risk of losing ten of our
number, to say nothing of those we have rescued from captivity. In the
excitement of the fight this order must be strictly borne in mind. Our

victory must be marred by no misfortune brought on by headstrong
rashness. The corsairs are bound to be very strongly manned, and ten

knights, even aided by such assistance as they may get from the Christians,
might find themselves altogether over matched against a crowd of
desperate men."

As soon as it was dusk the anchors were drawn up, and the fleet got under

way. They proceeded but slowly, for the wind was light, and the fishing
boats moved heavily through the water. There was, however, no occasion
for speed, for Gervaise did not wish to commence the attack until past

midnight. The guns had all been loaded before starting, and a pile of
ammunition was placed near each. Presently the wind nearly died out, and

the galley and prizes then took the coasters and fishing craft in tow. It was
nearly one o'clock when they got within half a mile of the inlet. The tow
ropes were then thrown off, the fishermen got out sweeps, and the galley

led the way, the fire ships followed in a body, and the three prizes brought
up the rear. The oars had all been muffled, and slowly they made their way,

until Fosco, who was standing next to Gervaise on board the galley, said
that the point just ahead marked the entrance to the inlet. They then stopped