“I should like it, lad, in many respects.  It does one good to see the enthusiasm of young men, and doubtless you will be a merry party.  But, on the other hand, unless I mistake, you will be undertaking wild adventures, and my time for these is well nigh passed.  When the Turk comes here, if he ever comes —­ and of that I have little doubt —­ I shall be ready to take my full share of the fighting; but I shall seek adventures no longer, and shall go no more to sea.  Next only to the bailiff, I am the senior of our auberge, and —­ but this is between ourselves, lad —­ am like to succeed to the grand priory of England when it becomes vacant, and if not I shall, as the grand master has told me, have the offer of the next high office vacant in the palace.”

Two days later Gervaise and his company of young knights went down to the port to take part in the launch of the new galley.  This was the occasion of a solemn ceremony, the grand master and a large number of knights being present.  A religious service first took place on her poop, and she was named by the grand master the Santa Barbara.  When the ceremony was over, Gervaise was solemnly invested with the command of the galley by the grand marshal of the navy; then the shores were struck away, and the galley glided into the water, amid the firing of guns, the blowing of trumpets, and the cheers of the spectators who had gathered at the port to witness the ceremony.

The next morning a gang of galley slaves were marched down.  A third of these had been drawn from the crews of other galleys, their places being supplied by new hands.  The remainder were taken from the men employed on the fortifications.  Three weeks were occupied in teaching the rowers their work, and getting them well together.  They were a fine crew, for the governor of St. Pelagius, grateful to Gervaise for the discovery of the plot, had ordered the overseers to pick out from the various gangs men specially suited by age and strength for the work.

The dye by this time had entirely worn off his face, and although his hair was still several shades darker than of old, it differed even more widely from the ebon hue that it had been when he was in prison.  Thus, although he recognised three or four men upon the benches who had been fellow occupants of his cell, he had no fear whatever of their detecting in the commander of the galley their late companion in misfortune.

Only a portion of the knights had been out each day while the crew were learning to row, as there was but little for them to learn.  The galley carried no sails, and the knights were soldiers rather than sailors, and fought on the deck of their ship, as if defending a breach, or storming one held by the enemy.  Moreover, as all of them had already made one or more voyages, they were accustomed to such duties as they would have to discharge on board.