Page 75 - A Knight of the White Cross

then row away."

"By St. George, your plan is a good one, Tresham! A right good scheme,
and we will try it."

He at once translated what Gervaise had said to the rowers, by whom it was
received with short exclamations of approval, for they were too breathless

and exhausted for talk. Already they could hear the yells of the pirates,
who, as the boat ran up on the beach were but a quarter of a mile behind.

"Now, away for that wood!" Sir John cried, as he leapt ashore. "Now,
comrades, for a climb up the hill!"

It was a steep ascent, and more than once one had to be helped up by the

others, and then in turn to assist them to get up beside him. Louder and
louder rose the shouts of the pirates, but the knights did not glance back
until they reached the top of the hill; then they turned and looked round. A

swarm of men were climbing after them, and were already halfway up the
cliff.

"Heave them down!" Sir John exclaimed, pointing to some loose rocks, and
set the example by lifting a great stone and hurling it over the edge.

Harcourt and Gervaise at once did the same, and twenty or thirty rocks
were speedily sent rolling down the steep ascent, and yells, shouts, and

cries were heard below.

"That will check them a bit. Now let us be off," Sir John Boswell said, and

they at once started. After crossing a hundred yards of bare rock they stood
at the edge of another slope into a deep valley, beyond which rose the

central hill of the island. The valley ran right across, and was filled with
trees extending to the sea at either end. Running rapidly down, the knights
were within the shelter of the wood before the Moslems had reached the

brow behind them. A minute later they heard the shouts of their enemies.
Once in the wood they turned to the left, and in a few minutes stood on the

sea shore. It was a little bay some two hundred yards across, and at either
point the cliffs rose abruptly from the water.