Page 285 - A Knight of the White Cross

obtained news of the whereabouts of the spot where the corsairs were to
rendezvous, found them all lying together in a small inlet, and launched

against them a number of fishing boats fitted out as fire ships. The corsairs,
packed closely together, were unable to avoid them, and, as I told you,

eleven of their ships were burnt, four were run ashore to avoid the flames,
while six, trying to make their way out, were captured by the galley, aided
by the three prizes that were taken and which the knights had caused to be

manned by Sards."

"The ways of Allah the All Seeing are wonderful," the merchant said. "It
was indeed a marvellous feat for one galley thus to destroy a great fleet."

"It was the result of good fortune rather than skill and valour," Gervaise
said.

"Nay, nay; let praise be given where it is due. It was a marvellous feat; and
although there is good or bad fortune in every event, such a deed could not

have been performed, and would not even have been thought of, save by a
great commander. Who was the knight who thus with one galley alone

destroyed a strongly manned fleet, from which great things had been
looked for?"

Gervaise hesitated. "It was a young knight," he said, "of but little standing
in the Order, and whose name is entirely unknown outside its ranks."

"By this time it must be well known," Ben Tbyn said; "and it will soon be
known throughout Christendom, and will be dreaded by every Moor. What

was it?"

Gervaise again hesitated.

"I would not have told you the story at all, Ben Tbyn, had I supposed you

would have cared to inquire into the matter. Of course, I will tell you the
name if you insist upon it, but I would much rather you did not ask."