Many threw themselves overboard, and swam to the ship nearest to them; others were cut down; and the rest flung away their arms, and cried for quarter.
All who did so were, without the loss of a minute's time, thrown down into the hold of their ship, and the hatches secured over them.

It had before been arranged that Ralph should take the command of the corsair, having with him France, Auvergne, and Germany.

As soon, therefore, as the captives were fastened below, Gervaise called the knights of the other four langues back to the deck of the galley.

The lashings were cast off, she was pushed from the side of the prize, and the oars were got out.

There was no time to be lost, for the largest of the three pirate ships, which had, directly it was seen that her consort was captured, poured two heavy broadsides into the prize, was now approaching--rowing but slowly, however, for the third vessel to come up.
She was but a hundred yards away when the galley swept round the bow of the prize and advanced to meet her.