Page 293 - A Knight of the White Cross

give more food to the other twenty-five. I should let this man pick out his
gang. He has worked in turn with all of them, and must know what each

can do; besides, it is necessary that he should have men who can
understand his orders."

Gervaise accordingly was allowed to pick out his gang; and he chose those
whom he had observed to be the strongest and most handy at the work.

"You will be responsible," the governor said to him, "for the masons being

supplied with stone, and if you fail you will be punished and put to other
labour."

So far from there being any falling off in the work, the head mason found
that, even though the walls began to rise and the labour of transporting the

stones into their positions became greater, the masons were never kept
standing. The men, finding their position improved, both in the matter of
food and in the immunity they enjoyed from blows, worked cheerfully and

well. Gervaise did not content himself with giving orders, but worked at the
heaviest jobs, and, little by little, introduced many of the appliances used by

the skilled masons of Rhodes in transporting and lifting heavy stones.
Gradually his own position improved: he was treated as an overseer, and
was permitted to sleep under an arcade that ran along one side of the yard,

instead of being confined in the close and stifling cell. His dye had long
since worn off.

One day as he was going up with his gang under charge of the usual guards
to the building, he saw Hassan, who grinned maliciously.

"Ah, ah, Christian dog!" he said; "you threatened me, and I have not

forgotten it. The last time I was here I made it known to an officer of the
sultan that Ben Ibyn had a Christian slave who had been smuggled in; and
here you are. I hope you like the change. Look, I have still got your amulet,

and it has brought me better luck than it did you. I have been fortunate ever
since, and no money could buy it from me."