Page 76 - A Knight of the White Cross

"We shall have to swim round the point," Sir John said.

"Take off your mail shirts. We will make our way along the rocks as far as
we can, and then drop them into the sea, otherwise they will know that we

have taken to the water."

They hurried along the rocks, and were able to make their way to within

fifty yards of the point; then, throwing their mail shirts into the sea, they
plunged in. All knew the importance of getting round before any of the

pirates, who would be searching the valley, came down on the shore, and
they swam their hardest until they rounded the corner. The wood rang with
the shouts of their pursuers, but no yell had risen from the water's edge. A

hundred yards farther, and they were able to land, and were in a short time
in the shelter of the trees that fringed the water to the point where they had

left the boat. There was no longer any occasion for speed, and they made
their way through the thick bushes and undergrowth quietly, until they
recovered breath after their exertions. They had gone a few hundreds yards

when from the bushes the slaves suddenly rose up.

"All has gone well," Sir John said to them in their own language. "The
pirates are searching for us on the other side of the hill. There are not likely
to be many of them left here. We shall soon be in possession of our boat

again."

Followed by the slaves, they made their way forward until they stood at the
edge of the wood. Five or six pirates were standing on the shore.

"I expect they have been left there," Harcourt said, "to prevent the slaves
from carrying off the boat. They must have seen them run into the wood.

They won't reckon on our being with them."

Drawing their swords, the three knights rushed out, followed by the slaves.

They had but a hundred yards to run. The pirates, on seeing them, raised a
yell and drew their scimitars; but the sight of the knights rushing upon

them, when they had expected but a few unarmed rowers, was too much for
their courage, and when their assailants were still fifty yards away they