It is true there are five prizes to show for it, and we have struck Hassan Ali a blow that will resound through the Levant; but the cost is heavy." "It is indeed," Ricord agreed.

"The four vessels are well filled with rich spoil that the scoundrels had gathered, and I doubt not the one you captured is equally rich.

Still, had they been ten times as valuable, the booty would be dearly purchased at such a price." There was now a consultation among the leaders, and it was agreed that six knights should be placed in each of the captured ships, with ten of the galley slaves to work the sails, the others being equally divided between the three galleys.

They were, in the first place, to row to the island where the pirates were imprisoned, and to slay or capture the whole of them; afterwards they were to make direct for Rhodes; with so numerous a fleet there was no fear of their being attacked.

The arrangements took but a short time to complete.