The rest may well have taken another fishing boat and made off also, for we saw several craft along the shores of the island.

If so, they may have made for Hassan Ali's rendezvous, wherever that may be, just as I made here, and by this time some of his ships may be on the way there." "By St.Anthony, this alters the situation gravely!" Don Santoval said.
"Fellow knights, we must lose no time in going to Ricord's assistance.
The slaves have had a long row today, but they must start on another.
Let them have a good meal to strengthen them, and a cup of wine each.
Whatever their scruples at other times, they never refuse wine when there is heavy work to be done, knowing full well that a draught of it helps them mightily in their labours.

Your men must have rowed well, Sir John, to have brought you here so quickly ?" "I have promised them their freedom," Sir John said; "and they shall have it, even if I have to pay their value into the treasury.

As I told you, we were hotly pursued, for the craft with her sail went faster than we with our oars; and, knowing the importance of bringing the news here, I encouraged them by promising them their freedom, should we get away.
Not only did they row right manfully, but they proved faithful in our extremity, and, when all seemed lost, stuck to us instead of deserting and joining the pirates." "But how did you get away, Sir John, if their craft outsailed you ?" "I owe my life entirely to the quick wit of my young countryman, Sir Gervaise Tresham here." And Sir John then related the incidents of their adventure on the island, his narrative eliciting warm expressions of approval from the knights.
"Of course, you will go with us, Boswell ?" Don Santoval said, when the master of the slaves announced that these had eaten their meal, and were ready.
"I must do so," Sir John replied.

"I want you, on your way, to look in at that island where we had so narrow an escape, and if we find their craft still there we can destroy it.