Page 70 - A Knight of the White Cross

"That will certainly be the best plan, Sir John, though it may detain us here
for two or three days, or even more, for it is quite uncertain when the other

two galleys may put in at the rendezvous. Will you yourself undertake the
mission?"

"With pleasure."

"How many will you take with you?"

"Two will be sufficient, for we shall have no fighting to do, as we shall
have to trust to our speed if we fall in with an enemy. I will take, with your
permission, Sir Ralph Harcourt and Sir Gervaise Tresham, both of whom

have today fought with distinguished bravery. Indeed, I owe my life to
them, for more than once, when I was hotly pressed, they freed me from my

assailants. Truly none bore themselves better in the fray than they did."

Three or four others joined in hearty commendations of the two young

knights.

"Indeed," one said, "I was greatly surprised to see how Tresham bore
himself. He is but a lad, with scarce, one would think, strength to hold his
own in such a fray. It chanced that he was next to me in the circle, and for a

time I kept my eye on him, thinking he might require my aid; but I soon
saw that I need not trouble myself on his account, for he wielded his

weapon as doughtily as the best knight of the Order could have done, and
one of the proofs is that, while most of us bear marks of the conflict, he has
escaped without scratch. I trust, Sir Louis, that when you give an account of

the fighting you will specially mention that this, the youngest knight of the
Order, bore himself as stoutly as any of them. I say this, Sir John, because,

not being of your langue, I can speak more warmly than you can do of his
skill and bravery."

"I thank you, De Boysey," Sir John Boswell said, "and I am proud that my
young countryman should have so gained your approbation. And now," he

went on, "while the galley slaves are getting a meal -- which they have right
well earned today -- I should like to see what there is under the hatches of