Page 92 - A Knight of the White Cross

"If that is your opinion, Boswell, I will myself undertake it, and will do it at
once; it were better done here than at a conclave of the Order -- now, when

they are fresh from the battle. Let the knights be summoned from the other
galleys at once."

In a few minutes the whole of the knights were assembled on the poop of
the galley.

"Friends, and brother knights," D'Aubusson said. "First, in the name of the

Order, I have to thank you all most heartily for the brave deeds that you
have performed, and for the fresh honour you have won for it. Every man
has, as I learn from the three commanders, borne himself as a true and

valiant knight, ready to give his life in the cause of the Order and of
humanity. Two names have been specially brought before me by

commander Ricord, and by the good knight Sir John Boswell; they are
those of two young companions who, though knights of our Order, have not
yet received secular knighthood, and this, in the opinion of these two

knights, they have right worthily won. Sir Ralph Harcourt and Sir Gervaise
Tresham, step forward."

The two young knights, colouring with pleasure at this unexpected honour,
removed their helmets, and stood with bowed heads before the grand prior.

D'Aubusson went on, turning to the knights around him, "I am about,
comrades, to undertake the office of knighting them. Sir Louis Ricord and

Sir John Boswell stand as their sponsors. But before I proceed I would ask
you all whether you, too, approve, and hold that Sir Ralph Harcourt and Sir
Gervaise Tresham have proved themselves worthy of the honour of secular

knighthood at my hands?"

There was a general reply in the affirmative, the answer of the survivors of
Ricord's crew being specially emphatic. The grand prior drew his sword,
and the two young knights knelt before him, their sponsors standing beside

them.

"Sir Ralph Harcourt, you have now been four years a knight of this Order,
but hitherto you have had no opportunity of drawing sword against the