Page 55 - A Knight of the White Cross

time he reached the end of his three years' pageship, Gervaise was
indisputably superior in strength, activity, and skill in military exercises, to

any of his companions. The majority of these, after completing their time,
returned to the headquarters of their langue at home, to pass their time

there, until of an age to be eligible for the charge of a commandery
obtained for them by family influence, which had no small share in the
granting of these appointments. As it was known, however, that Gervaise

intended to remain permanently in the Island, his progress was watched
with particular attention by his instructors; and, seeing his own earnestness

in the matter, they took special pains with his training. The bailiff of
Auvergne continued to take much interest in him, inquiring often from the
officers in charge of the pages, and from his instructors, of his conduct and

progress, and occasionally sending for him to his auberge and talking with
him as to his life and progress. Just before his pageship terminated, he said

to him, "I was rather puzzled at first, Gervaise, as to what we should do
with you when your term of office concluded, but I am so no longer, for,
although you are some two years younger than the professed knights who

come out here, you are better fitted than the majority to take your place in
the naval expeditions, and to fight the Moslem pirates. I will see that you

have your share of these adventures. All young knights are, as you know,
obliged to make three voyages, but beyond that many of them do not care
to share in the rough life at sea, and prefer the bustle, and, I grieve to say,

the gaiety and pleasures of this city. For one, then, really eager to
distinguish himself, the opportunities are frequent. When danger threatens,

or heavy engagements are expected, every knight is desirous of bearing his
part in the fray; but this is not the case when the work to be done consists of
scouring the sea for weeks, without perchance coming across a single

pirate. Of course, as soon as your pageship is over you will go to the
English auberge, but I shall still keep my eye upon you, and shall do my

best to help you to achieve distinction; and I shall take upon myself the
providing of your arms and armour as a knight."

Accordingly, on the day on which his duties as a page terminated, two
servitors of the auberge of Auvergne brought across to the palace a suit of

fine armour and a sword, a battleaxe, a lance, and a dagger; also three
complete suits of clothes, two of them for ordinary wear, and one for state