[A Knight of the White Cross by G.A. Henty]@TWC D-Link book
A Knight of the White Cross

CHAPTER XIII THE FIRST PRIZES
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"There is no reason why our galley should not be a model one, and though, like enough, the seniors will laugh at our making innovations, D'Aubusson is a reformer, and will certainly support anything that he sees to be beneficial, from whatever quarter it comes." Supper was now served, and the young knights were well pleased with the entertainment provided for them.

It was the principal meal of the day.
Their fast was broken by a glass of wine, a manchet of bread, and fruit soon after rising.

At eleven o'clock they sat down to a more substantial meal; but in that climate the heat was at that hour considerable, and as there were duties to be performed, there was no sitting long at table.
At supper the day's work was over, their appetite was sharpened by the cool evening breeze, and the meal was hearty and prolonged.

After it was concluded, several of the knights brought up from below viols and other instruments of music; for the ability to accompany the voice with such an instrument was considered an essential part of the education of a knight.
For some hours the songs and romances, so popular at the time, were sung in the various languages represented on board; then the knights, one by one, went down to their sleeping places, until only the seven knights of the langue of Auvergne, who were to watch the first night, remained on deck.

Five of these wrapped themselves in their mantles and lay down on the benches.


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