Page 63 - A Knight of the White Cross

The commander rapidly issued his orders, and in two or three minutes the
anchor was weighed, the boat hoisted on deck, and the oars in motion.

"Stretch to your oars!" Ricord shouted to the slaves. "Hitherto we have

exacted no toil from you, but you have to work now, and woe be to him
who does not put out his full strength."

Grateful for the unusual leniency with which they had been treated, the
slaves bent to their oars, and the galley sped rapidly through the water. On

rounding the end of the island there was an exclamation of satisfaction
from the knights as they saw wreaths of white smoke rising from the distant
island.

"There can be no doubt that it is a village in flames," Sir Louis said; "and

from the suddenness with which it broke out, it is clear that it must have
been fired at several points. You say you saw no craft near?" he asked,
turning to Harcourt.

"There were none there, or from the top of the hill we should assuredly

have made them out, Sir Louis."

"Then the pirates -- if this be, as I hope, their work -- must have landed at

some other point on the island, and if they catch sight of us they may make
for their ship and slip away, unobserved by us. Instead of rowing direct,

therefore, we will make for that islet to the right, and row round behind it.
There are two others almost adjoining it. Once past these, 'tis not more than
half a mile to that island stretching away south. Once round that, we shall

be beyond the one from which we see the smoke rising, and can come
down on its southern side. The course will be double the distance that it

would be if we took a straight line, but except when we cross from island to
island we shall not be exposed to their view, and may fall upon their ships
before the crews have returned from their work of plunder."

The knights fully agreed, and orders were given to the helmsman

accordingly.