Page 340 - A Knight of the White Cross

Having made sure that all the captains understood the orders, Gervaise took
command of one of the galleys, the senior knight going on board the other.

The ten fire ships were now poled out until five were ranged abreast behind
each craft; Gervaise requested the commander of the other galley to lie off

the point of St. Nicholas until he had got rid of his five fire ships, then to
advance and launch his craft against the Turks. The smoke of the guns lay
so heavy on the water, and the combatants were so intent upon the struggle

at the breach, that Gervaise steered his galley into the midst of the Turkish
vessels laden with troops ready to disembark, without attracting any notice;

then, standing upon the taffrail, he signalled to the two outside boats to
throw off their ropes and make for the Turkish ship nearest to them. This
they did, and it was not until a sheet of flame rose alongside, that the enemy

awoke to the sense of danger.

The other three fire ships were almost immediately cast off. Two of them
were equally successful, but the Turks managed to thrust off the third. She
drifted, however, through the shipping, and presently brought up alongside

one of the vessels fast aground. With but ten knights, Gervaise could not
attack one of the larger vessels, crowded with troops; but there were many

fishing boats that had been pressed into the service, and against one of
these Gervaise ordered the men to steer the galley. A shout to the rowers
made them redouble their efforts. A yell of dismay arose from the Turkish

troops as they saw the galley bearing down upon them, and frantic efforts
were made to row out of her way. These were in vain, for her sharp prow

struck them amidships, cutting the boat almost in two, and she sank like a
stone, the galley, without a pause, making for another boat.

Looking back, Gervaise saw that his consort was already in the midst of the
Turks, among whom the wildest confusion prevailed, each ship trying to

extricate herself from the mass, upon which the batteries of the fortress now
concentrated their efforts. Two fresh columns of flame had already shot up,
and satisfied that all was going well, Gervaise continued his attack upon the

smaller craft, six of whom were overtaken and sunk. Three or four of the
larger vessels endeavoured to lay themselves alongside the galley, but her

speed was so superior to theirs that she easily evaded the attempts, and,
sweeping round, rejoined the other galley which had just issued from