Page 287 - A Knight of the White Cross

exclaimed suddenly, "the thought has just occurred to me of a way by
which you can obtain confirmation of my story; and, as I value your good

opinion and would not be regarded as a boaster and a liar, I entreat you to
take it. I heard you tell the eight men who were rowers in my boat when I

was captured, to call upon you today, that you might do something for
them."

"They came this morning to my store," the merchant said. "They told me
their wishes. I promised them that I would make inquiry about ships sailing

East; and they are to come to me again tomorrow."

"Then, sir, I beseech you to suffer me to go down with you to your stores

and meet them there. The galley of which I was in command at the time I
was captured is the same as that in which a few weeks before I fought the

corsairs, and these eight men were with me at that time. I begged them for
my sake to maintain an absolute silence as to that affair, and I have no
doubt that they have done so, for in the fury the news would excite, they

might fall victims to the first outburst, though, of course, wholly innocent
of any share in the misfortune. Did you question them without my being

present, they might still keep silent, fearing to injure me. But if, before you
begin to do so, I tell them that they can speak the truth with reference to
me, they will, I am sure. confirm my story, incredible as it may now appear

to you."

"That is a fair offer," the merchant said gravely, "and I accept it, for it may
be that I have been too hasty, and I trust it may prove so. I would rather
find myself to be in fault than that the esteem with which you have inspired

me should prove to be misplaced. We will speak no further on the subject
now. I have not yet asked you how it is that you come to speak our

language so well."

Gervaise related how he had studied with Suleiman Ali, and had escorted

him to Syria and received his ransom.

"I had hoped," he said, "that the corsair would have taken me to Syria, for
there I could have communicated with Suleiman, who would, I am sure,