Page 72 - A Knight of the White Cross

since the fight ceased, and as it was nearly astern, they anticipated that they
would make a good passage, and be at the little islet, named as the place of

rendezvous, before nightfall.

Among the many bales of rich merchandise in the hold of the pirate vessels
an abundance of wine had been discovered, and of this a tankard had been
given to each of the slaves, by Sir Louis's orders, as a token of satisfaction

at their work in the morning.

They had gone some two miles when, from one of the inlets in the island
they had left a large fishing boat was seen to issue out.

"By St. George!" Sir John exclaimed, "that boat must be full of pirates. And
if they see us, which they cannot help doing, and take it in their heads to

chase us, we shall have a hard time of it."

The fishing boat for a few minutes kept along the coast, and then suddenly

her course was altered, and her head directed towards their boat.

"Now stretch to your oars," Sir John, who spoke some Turkish, said to the
slaves. "Keep ahead of that boat, and I promise you, on my honour as a
Christian knight, that I will myself purchase your freedom as soon as we

get to Rhodes."

With a shout of delight, the galley slaves bent to their oars, and the boat
flew along at a greatly increased speed.

"There is but small chance of our getting away," Sir John said quietly. "At
present we must be rowing as fast as they sail; but wind never tires, while

there are limits to the powers of muscle and bone. If those fellows follow us
-- and I doubt not that they will, for they must be thirsting for vengeance -­
they will overtake us long before we get to the rendezvous; and even did

we reach it, the chances are that we should not find either of the galleys
there. We must hold on as long as we can, and as a last resource must run

ashore. Unfortunately there are no large islands on our way. Nor have we
any hope of assistance from our friends behind. The inlet looks east, and