Page 231 - A Knight of the White Cross

"Nothing can save the ships near this end of the line," Ralph said, "but
some of those behind may make their way out between the others and the

rocks. I can see that some of them there are lowering their yards and sails to
prevent their catching fire as they pass."

The knights distributed among the guns worked them incessantly, directing
their fire chiefly against the outside ships, so as to hinder the crews in their

endeavours to arrest the progress of the flames; but they were soon able to
fire impartially into the mass. As the heat of the flames drove the pirates

back, scores of men leapt overboard, and made for the shore. Presently, two
or three ships were seen making their way along the narrow line of water on
either side of the flaming group in front. As the first advanced, the galley

and one of the prizes rowed a short distance forward to meet it. Its deck was
crowded with men, among whom a discharge of the cannon from both ships

created terrible slaughter.

A moment afterwards they closed with it, one on either side, and the

knights, the released captives, and the Sards, sprang down on to its deck.
The fight lasted but a minute. Appalled by the disaster that had befallen

them, by the terrible effect of the broadsides, poured in at a few yards'
distance, and by the sight of so many of the dreaded warriors of the Cross,
some of the corsairs threw down their arms and flung themselves on the

deck or into the hold, crying for quarter; those who resisted fell either under
the swords of the knights, the vengeful axes of the late captives, or the

pikes of the Sards; but the great bulk, leaping from the bow or stern, swam
ashore.

"Back to your ships!" Gervaise shouted, the moment resistance ceased.
"Leave her floating here; she will help to block the way."

Six vessels alone managed to make their escape from the blazing mass of
ships, and all of these were captured almost as easily as the first had been.

As soon as it seemed that all the remainder were involved in the flames,
boats were lowered and sent on board the prizes to take possession. Save

for the wounded on the decks, they were entirely deserted by their crews, as
those who had run below, as soon as they found that their captors had left