There was a murmur of assent among the knights.  They were ready for any encounter in which there was a chance, however faint, of success; but all saw that for a single galley to attack one of the largest corsair fleets that had ever set out, would be nothing short of insanity.  Their leader’s words, however, seemed to show that he had some plan in his mind by which he hoped to strike a blow at the enemy, and all listened eagerly for what was coming.

“We have heard from our comrade Fosco that their ships lie moored in two lines, side by side in a narrow inlet.  He has returned this morning with the news that they are still there.  He thinks that three or four more have arrived during the last two days, and it is probable they are waiting for the three we captured to join them.  Tonight it is my intention to attack them, but not by rowing in and boarding them, for that would be hopeless.  Yesterday Sir Ralph Harcourt went, as you are aware, to fetch provisions.  But this was a part only of the object of his trip.  He has, as you see, brought back eleven craft with him; these, I may tell you, are laden with combustibles —­ pitch, oil, straw, and faggots.  They will be rowed and towed to the inlet tonight, set on fire, and launched against the pirates.”

An enthusiastic cheer broke from the knights.  They saw at once that, lying as the corsairs were, side by side, the destruction of many of them was certain.

“He has also brought fishermen,” Gervaise went on, “two or three of whom will go in each fire ship, having a boat towing behind, in which they will escape as soon as the craft are alongside the galleys.  The galley and the three prizes will take their post at the mouth of the inlet.  The fire of our guns will add to the confusion among the pirates, and we shall endeavour to fall upon any galleys that may extricate themselves from the mass, and try to make their escape.  Sir Ralph has brought back materials for making ninety mantles of the Order, for the Christians on board the three prizes, and thirty fishermen to bring the crew of our galley up to its full strength.  The light of the flames will suffice to show the pirates that, as they will believe, four vessels, manned by knights of the Order, are barring the entrance.  Many will, we may calculate, jump overboard and swim ashore rather than face us, and we shall be able, at any rate, to capture three or four of their craft, for, as they come out, one by one, we can all close round them; and with nearly fifty knights, ninety released captives, burning for vengeance, and some fifty or sixty fishermen, for those from the fire ships will, of course, join us —­ we shall make short work of them, and may even hope to entirely destroy their fleet.”

Again a joyous shout rose from the knights.  This would indeed be an exploit that all might be proud to share in, and, breaking the ranks in which they had stood while Gervaise addressed them, they crowded round him with exclamations of enthusiasm and devotion.