Suleiman Ali’s advice was carried out.  It added considerably to the length of the voyage; but they saw only one doubtful craft.  She was lying close inshore under the shadow of the sand hills, and they did not see her until she hoisted her sails and shot out from the land.  They were, however, three miles distant from the land at the time, and the wind was blowing from the north; consequently the pirate was dead to leeward.  Every sail was set at once on board the trader, and, being a fast sailor, she maintained her position until nightfall.  The wind then dropped, and just as the light faded they could see that the vessel behind them had put out her sweeps.  The trader kept up her sails until certain that she could be no longer seen; then the canvas was lowered, and the crew took to the boats and towed her due north.

The night was fortunately a dark one, and those watching anxiously from the deck of the trader were unable to discern her pursuer as she passed behind them.  As soon as they were well assured that she must have gone on, the boats were got in, the sails hoisted again, and, taking advantage of every light flaw of wind, they proceeded on their course.  In the morning the sails of the galley could be seen on the horizon, but the distance was too great for her to take up the pursuit again with any chance of success, and the trader continued her course to Acre without seeing more of her.

As soon as the trader entered the port, the Egyptian captain went on shore, taking with him a copy of the safe conduct and the letter from the grand master to the pasha.  Going to the residence of the governor, he handed these to him, saying that he had on board Aga Suleiman Ali, and a knight who was charged to deliver him up on payment of the ransom.

“I have been expecting you,” the governor said.  “I have received a letter from the pasha, stating that he had written to the grand master respecting the ransom of the aga, and sending me the amount which Suleiman’s son had offered.  The young man was not of age when his father was captured, but he is so now, and was therefore able to raise the sum required.  I will go down to the port with you myself, hand over the ransom, and welcome Suleiman, whom I know well, back from his captivity.”

The transfer was speedily made; a heavy purse was handed to Gervaise, and Suleiman was a free man.

“Send me word, if you can, when you return to Rhodes,” the latter said, as he bade farewell to the young knight.  “I shall be anxious until I hear.  Fortune was with us as we sailed hither, but it may desert you on your return.  Should aught befall you, tell your captors that if they bring you to me I will pay any ransom that they could, in fairness, require.  Should they refuse to do this, send, if possible, a messenger to me, and on receipt of your message I will send a trusty man to purchase your freedom.  You have treated me as a friend and an equal, and a friend I shall always remain.”