Page 315 - A Knight of the White Cross

their guns into each other, and then, as the galley ran alongside, the knights
tried to leap on board of her. They were opposed by a dense mass of Turks,

for in addition to her usual crew the Moslem was crowded with troops. For
three or four minutes the knights tried, but in vain, to get a footing on

board; then Sir John shouted to them to forbear, and gave orders to the
rowers at once to push off. A cloud of arrows swept across the poop as they
did so; but for the most part these fell harmless from the armour of the

knights. For a time the cannon on both sides continued to fire, but as the
Christians increased their distance it gradually ceased.

They had gone but a hundred yards from the Turk when a head appeared
over the stern railing of the poop, and a figure swung itself on to the deck.

The man was attired in Turkish garments, but his head was bare, and the
exclamation, "A Christian!" broke from the knights.

The man strode up to Sir John Boswell.

"You used to say you would make matters even with me some day, Sir
John, and you have more than kept your word."

Sir John fell back a pace in astonishment, and then with a shout, "By St.
George, it is Tresham!" threw his arms round Gervaise's neck, while the

knights thronged round with exclamations of satisfaction.

"And it was you whom we saw keep the Turks at bay for three good
minutes single handed," Sir John said, holding Gervaise at arm's length to
gaze into his face. "Truly it seemed well nigh impossible that any one who

was like to be on that craft could have performed so doughty a deed. And
how did you escape?"

"It was simple enough," Gervaise replied. "As soon as I dived I turned and
swam along under the boat and came up by the stern, and then held on by

the rudder, sheltered from their sight. I saw that the galley would be up in
five minutes, and had no fear of their wasting time to look for me. Directly

you came alongside her I dived again, and rose under your stern. I did not
think that you would be able to take her, for all their craft are crowded with