Page 317 - A Knight of the White Cross

greatly strengthened, and no one fears that we shall not be able to beat off
an attack. We have destroyed the principal buildings outside the walls,

though it would have been better could we have gone much further in this
direction. And now let us have your adventures and escape."

"'Tis a long story, Sir John, and I must pray you to let me defer it for a time.
In the first place, I have two or three wounds that I shall be glad to have

bandaged."

"Why did you not say so at once?" Sir John exclaimed. "In those dark
clothes, soaked with water as they are, I did not see the bloodstains; but I
ought to have looked for them, for surely no one could have gone through

that fight -- altogether unprotected with armour too -- without being
wounded. Come below, and we will attend to them."

"Also order me some wine and food, Sir John; I have touched nothing save
water for twenty-four hours, and before that fasted somewhat strictly."

By the time Gervaise's wounds, which were not severe, had been bandaged,

and he had eaten a hasty meal, the galley was alongside the mole, between
the two harbours.

He was provided with some clothes, and went with Sir John straight to the
English auberge, where the knight insisted that he should at once lie down.

"I will report your return to D'Aubusson, and will tell him it is by my orders
that you are resting. Your wounds are not very deep, but you must have lost

a good deal of blood, and were you to exert yourself now, and be pestered
with questions, it would probably bring on an attack of fever. There is

nothing to do at present, for it must be some days before they can land and
bring up their guns."

Gervaise obeyed the orders not unwillingly, for he felt that he was really
weak, and was greatly worn out by want of sleep. Sir John Kendall, at

Boswell's request, issued orders that he was on no account whatever to be
disturbed, and that no one was to enter his room unless he sounded the bell