Page 73 - A Knight of the White Cross

they will know nothing of our danger; nor, if they did, could they help us.
The galley is short handed now, and there are the captured ships to look

after, and the captives we rescued. We have only ourselves to depend on."

At the end of an hour's rowing the boat astern had gained little; but the
exertions of the rowers were telling severely upon them. They were still
doing their best, but their breath came in short gasps, the rowing was

getting short and unsteady, and there was a sensible decrease in the speed
of the boat. Three miles ahead of them was an islet about half a mile in

diameter. In some parts it was covered with foliage, but elsewhere it was
bare rock.

"That must be our goal," Sir John said. "They will be close to us by the
time we get there." Then he said to the rowers, "Stop for a minute to get

breath. We will land at that islet ahead, and I shall hold to my promise if we
get there in time. Those of you who like can remain in the boat until your
countrymen come up; those who choose can leave the boat and hide

yourselves as best you may. I leave the choice to yourselves. If we are
overtaken and fall, I cannot keep my promise, and it will be best then for

you to remain in the boat."

For three or four minutes the slaves bent forward over their oars; but as

soon as Sir John gave the word they straightened themselves up and began
rowing again. The rest had done them good, and they again fell into a long,

steady stroke.

"Shall we buckle on our armour again?" Sir Ralph Harcourt asked; for they

had not put it on when they left the ship, as the heat was very great.

"I think we had better don our mail shirts only. In climbing about that rock
ahead of us, the less weight we carry the better, and with this heat I would
rather fight unprotected than in casque and armour. Besides, there can be

little doubt that, if they come upon us, it will be our last battle. That craft
behind is crowded with men, and, armour or no armour, it will come to the

same in the end. If it were not that we have a mission to fulfil, and that it is
of all things important to send the galleys to aid our friends, I would say let