Page 261 - A Knight of the White Cross

arrangement of the details, and that without the slightest suggestion on the
part of myself or my comrades. I will presently narrate to you the whole

story; it will come better from my lips than from those of Sir Gervaise,
whose disposition is to wholly underestimate the merit of the action he has

performed. But I must also bear testimony, not only to the bravery
displayed by Sir Gervaise, Sir Ralph Harcourt, his lieutenant, and every one
of the knights his crew, but to the admirable discipline, order, and good

fellowship on board the galley, which would have done credit to the most
experienced commander and to the most veteran knights of the Order."

The grand master paused a moment, and then said in a loud voice, "Sir
Gervaise Tresham, Sir Ralph Harcourt, and knights of the seven langues of

the Order -- As yet I can hardly appreciate the full extent of the service that
you have rendered. I thanked you but now for the capture of three corsairs;

but what can I say when I learn that you have destroyed or taken a whole
fleet? I invite you all to a banquet that I shall hold tonight, where the
Cavalier Caretto will relate to us all the details of this marvellous exploit."

Within a few minutes after the return of the grand master and his party

ashore, the flags of the Order were run up to the flagstaffs of every fort and
bastion: the bells of the churches chimed out a triumphant peal, and a salute
was fired from the guns of the three water forts, while along the wall facing

the port, the townspeople waved numberless gay flags as a welcome to the
galley. Most of the knights went ashore at once, but Gervaise, under the

excuse that he wished to see that everything was in order before landing,
remained on board until it was time to go to the banquet, being sure that by
that time the knights would have fully told the story at their respective

auberges, and that there would be no more questions to answer. The
banquet differed but little from that at Genoa, and Gervaise was heartily

glad when it was over.

The next day the grand master sent for him.

"If I judge rightly, Sir Gervaise, the thing that will best please you at

present, is an order to put to sea again at once, to conclude the usual period
of service of the galley."