They said the peasants had told them that several strange craft, using both oars and sails, had been noticed passing northwards, and that so strong was the opinion that these were either Algerines or Tunisians that, for the last three or four days, none of the fishing craft had ventured to put to sea.  They were able to tell but little as to the bays along the coastline, which they described as very rugged and precipitous.  Five or six little streams ran, they knew, down from the mountains.  They thought the most likely places for corsairs to rendezvous would be in a deep indentation north of Cape Bellavista, or behind Cape Comino.  If not at these places, they might meet in the great bay at whose entrance stands Tavolara Island, and that beyond, there were several deep inlets on the northeastern coast of the Island.  Gervaise had a consultation with Ralph.

“The first thing is to find out where these corsairs have their meeting place, Ralph; and this must be done without their catching sight of the galley or of the prizes, which some of them would be sure to recognise.”

Ralph nodded.

“It is a difficult question, Gervaise.  Of course, if we had a boat speedy enough to row away from the corsairs it would be easy enough; but with wind and oars they go so fast that no boat could escape them.”

“That is quite certain, Ralph; and therefore, if it is done by a boat, it must be by one so small and insignificant that they would pay but little attention to it if they caught sight of it.  My idea is that we should take our own little boat, which is a fast one, paint it black, to give it the appearance of a fisherman’s boat, and hire a couple of good rowers from the village.  This, with one knight dressed as a fisherman, should go ahead of us, and explore every inlet where ships could be sheltered.  We would follow ten miles behind.  When we get near the places where the natives think the fleet is likely to be, the boat must go on at night, while we anchor.  In that way they ought to be able to discover the corsairs, while themselves unseen, and to gain some idea of their numbers and the position in which they are anchored, and bring us back news.”

“Shall I go myself, Gervaise?”

“I could not spare you, Ralph.  The risk of capture does not seem to me to be great, but there certainly is a risk, and I dare not part with you.  It had better be an Italian, because there will doubtless be an opportunity of landing at villages and questioning the inhabitants, therefore we will send Fosco.  If there are some eight or ten corsairs gathered in any of these bays the news is sure to travel along the shore, and we may get some tidings in that way.  The first thing is to send off to the village again to fetch two young fishermen; they must be active fellows, strong, and possessed of some courage.  I will ask da Vinci to go himself and select them.  While he is away we will paint our boat black, and make ready for her to start at once; the sooner she is off the better.”