Page 351 - A Knight of the White Cross

their ship, can speak some Italian, and as he is in command of them,
Caretto will find no trouble in making them understand him."

St. Nicholas had now been put into a fair state of defence, as a party had

been kept steadily at work there. Gervaise had not been to the tower since
the morning after the assault, and saw with satisfaction how much had been
done to render it secure. He found that Caretto was fast recovering from his

wounds.

"As it seems probable, Sir Fabricius," he said, after the first greetings to the
knight, "that the Turks will favour you with another visit, I have brought
you five watchdogs. They are countrymen of mine, and were among those

who navigated the fire ships the other day. Sir John Boswell has sent them
down; they are, of course, accustomed to keep watch at night. One of them

is mate of their vessel, and will be in command of them; he speaks a little
Italian, and so will understand any orders you may give him. I have been
speaking to him as we came down; he will divide his men into two watches,

and will himself be on guard all night. Will you assign them some quiet
place where they can sleep in the daytime? They can erect a shelter with a

piece of sail cloth and a few bits of board, and they will, of course, be
furnished with food."

"I shall be very glad to have them, for I am always restless at night, lest
those on watch should close their eyes. You see, they have quite made up

their minds that this fort will not be attacked again, and so are less inclined
to be vigilant than they would be, did they think that an attack was
impending."

Now that there was reason to believe that St. Nicholas might again be

attacked, Gervaise was frequently there with orders or inquiries from the
grand master. A number of vessels in the harbour were fitted up as fire
ships, so as to be in readiness when the attack came. He was about to start

early one morning when he saw Roger Jervis coming up with a heavy
anchor on his shoulder.