God bless you all, sirs"-- and his voice broke again--"for the deed you have done, and for bringing us out of this living hell!" Gervaise called to three of the Italian knights, and, followed by them and the released captives, led the way to the galley.

Here he left them in charge of their countrymen.

"Give them each a draught of old Cyprus, and something to eat," he said aside to one of the knights; "they sorely need refreshment before aught else, for, as you see, they are well nigh dazed with this unlooked for change.

I will put out clothes enough for one of them; the others you must supply for the present from your stores.

Now I must be off." There was indeed much to be done.