Page 61 - A Knight of the White Cross

check her progress when the oars were out, and at any rate constrain her to
travel only before the wind. I know your weakness about the slaves,

Gervaise; but as we could neither build our fortifications nor row our
galleys without them, I cannot go as far as you do in the matter, though I

own that I am sometimes sorry for them. But you must remember that it is
the fault of their people, and not of ours, that they are here."

"All that is true enough, Ralph, and I cannot gainsay you. Still I would
rather that we were gliding along with sails instead of being rowed by

slaves."

"At any rate, Gervaise, you will not see them ill treated, for I myself heard

Ricord, just before we were starting, tell the slave overseers that so long as
the rowers did fair work they were not to use their whips, and that only if

we were in chase of a pirate were they to be urged to their utmost
exertions."

"I am right glad to hear it, Ralph, and shall be able to enjoy the voyage all
the more, now you have told me that such orders have been issued."

For a fortnight they cruised about among the islands. Several times boats
rowed out from the shore to the galley with complaints of outrages by

pirates under a notorious corsair named Hassan Ali, who had landed, burnt
villages, killed many of the inhabitants, and carried off the rest as slaves;

but no one could give any clue to aid them in their search for the corsairs.
The time passed very pleasantly. There was no occasion for speed; often
they lay all day in some bay, where they could approach near enough to the

shore to lie in the shade of trees, while two or three of the knights ascended
a hill and kept watch there for the appearance of any vessels of a suspicious

character. One morning, after passing the night at anchor, Harcourt and
Gervaise were despatched just before sunrise to take a look round before
the galley got under way. From the top of the hill they had an uninterrupted

view of the sea, studded with islands on all sides of them. Beyond a few
fishing boats, looking like black specks on the glassy surface, no craft were

in sight. They were about to return to the galley when, taking a last look
round, Gervaise suddenly exclaimed, "Look, Ralph! There is smoke