Look at Acre, for example." "I was looking at it five days ago," Gervaise said, "and thinking that it was beyond the might of man to take." "Do you mean that you were at Acre ?" the merchant asked, with surprise.
"Yes.

I went there to hand over a captive who had been ransomed.

Of course I had a safe conduct, and I was glad indeed of the opportunity of seeing so famous a fortress." "You were fortunate indeed, Sir Knight, and it was, if you will pardon my saying so, singular that so young a knight should have been chosen.
Assuredly, even the senior knights of the Order would rejoice at the opportunity of beholding a fortress so intimately connected with the past history of the Order." "It was due entirely to my being able to speak Turkish," Gervaise said.
"As my friend Sir Ralph was mentioning, I have been studying hard, and can now speak the language fluently; and as this was a necessity on such a mission, and the few knights who can so speak it are all in high office, and could hardly be asked to undertake so unimportant a service, I was selected." "And you really speak Turkish well?
It is an accomplishment that few, save Greeks subject to Turkey, possess.

Do you intend, may I ask, to make Rhodes your home?
I ask because I suppose you would not have taken this labour had you intended shortly to return to England." "Yes; I hope to remain here permanently.

I know that the first step towards promotion here is generally a commandery at home, but I did not enter the Order with any idea of gaining office or dignity.