to the mouth of this inlet, we could have the fire ships rowed in by three or four men in each, they having a boat behind in which to escape as soon as the boats are lighted.  The sight of a dozen craft coming down on them in flames would cause a terrific panic, for, moored closely together, as they are, if one took fire there would be little chance of the others escaping.  Of course, we should add to the confusion by opening a fire with all our guns, and could hope to capture some at least of them as they tried to make their way out.”

“It is a grand idea, Gervaise; a splendid idea!  It would be a terrific blow to the Moors, and would make the sea safe from them for a long time.”

“When you buy the other things, Ralph, get a quantity of black cloth —­ it matters not how coarse, or of what material; and also some white.  As soon as you come back with it, all hands shall set to work to make the stuff up into mantles of the Order, with the white cross.  We will put these on to the Christians in the prizes, and the Moors will suppose that they are attacked by four of the galleys of the Order.  If you can get some more arms and some iron headpieces, all the better.”

“I will do what I can, Gervaise; the arms will certainly be wanted, for those we found on the decks were sufficient only to arm half the Christians.  As to the steel caps, that will not matter so much, as in the darkness and confusion the sight of the mantles will be quite enough to convince the corsairs that we are all knights of the Order.  By the way, Gervaise, we have not yet looked into the holds of the prizes.”

“That is so, Ralph; we knew, of course, that as the ships had but just started we should find nothing in them save the cargo of that unfortunate craft they captured.”

On searching they found, as they had expected, that the cargo of the captured ship had been of no great value.  It consisted of wine, olive oil, and grain.  These were all useful, for the number of mouths to be fed was considerable, and heavy inroads had already been made on the stores of the galley.  The rowers of the four vessels were at once set to work to crush the grain between flat stones brought from the shore, and an ample supply of coarse flour for their use for at least a fortnight was obtained before sunset.

As soon as darkness fell, Ralph and two of the French knights started in one of the prizes.  Late on the following afternoon a sail was seen coming from the north, and before the sun set they were able to make her out to be the craft in which Caretto had sailed.  The anchor of the galley was at once got up, and she rowed out to meet the boat and conduct her into the little bay.  It was almost dark when they came within hailing distance.

“What news do you bring, Sir Fabricius?”

“Bad news, I regret to say.  I do not think that Genoa will be able to send out any galleys for at least a fortnight.  There have been civil dissensions, and fighting between rival factions, and in consequence her ships are all dismantled and laid up.  Crews will have to be collected for them, repairs executed, and officers chosen; a fortnight will be the earliest time in which they can be here.  Pisa has no war galleys, and unless the Pope sends some out directly he gets the news, the corsairs will have it their own way.  Have you discovered them?”