“But how about the pirates on shore, Sir Louis?” a knight asked.  “There were very many who could not get off to their ships during the fight, and scores must have swum ashore.  I should say that there must be full two hundred, and it will be a grievous thing for the islanders if we leave them there.”

“It is certain,” the commander said, “that we are not strong enough to attack them, for were we to land, a party would have to be left on board, or the pirates might elude our search, seize some fishing boats, and regain possession.  Certainly, we are in no position to divide our forces.”

“Methinks,” Sir John Boswell said, “that the best plan would be to send a boat, manned with ten galley slaves, taking two or three of us to the rendezvous, to fetch hither the other two galleys.  With their aid we might take all the four ships safe into port, after first clearing the island of these pirates.  It is but forty miles away, and eight hours’ rowing would take us there.”

There was a general murmur of assent, for all wished that the trophies of their bravery should, if possible, be carried to Rhodes.

“That will certainly be the best plan, Sir John, though it may detain us here for two or three days, or even more, for it is quite uncertain when the other two galleys may put in at the rendezvous.  Will you yourself undertake the mission?”

“With pleasure.”

“How many will you take with you?”

“Two will be sufficient, for we shall have no fighting to do, as we shall have to trust to our speed if we fall in with an enemy.  I will take, with your permission, Sir Ralph Harcourt and Sir Gervaise Tresham, both of whom have today fought with distinguished bravery.  Indeed, I owe my life to them, for more than once, when I was hotly pressed, they freed me from my assailants.  Truly none bore themselves better in the fray than they did.”

Three or four others joined in hearty commendations of the two young knights.

“Indeed,” one said, “I was greatly surprised to see how Tresham bore himself.  He is but a lad, with scarce, one would think, strength to hold his own in such a fray.  It chanced that he was next to me in the circle, and for a time I kept my eye on him, thinking he might require my aid; but I soon saw that I need not trouble myself on his account, for he wielded his weapon as doughtily as the best knight of the Order could have done, and one of the proofs is that, while most of us bear marks of the conflict, he has escaped without scratch.  I trust, Sir Louis, that when you give an account of the fighting you will specially mention that this, the youngest knight of the Order, bore himself as stoutly as any of them.  I say this, Sir John, because, not being of your langue, I can speak more warmly than you can do of his skill and bravery.”

“I thank you, De Boysey,” Sir John Boswell said, “and I am proud that my young countryman should have so gained your approbation.  And now,” he went on, “while the galley slaves are getting a meal —­ which they have right well earned today —­ I should like to see what there is under the hatches of these ships, so that I can give our comrades in the other galleys some idea of the value of this booty we have taken.”