It shall not be said that the Earl of Evesham was taken by infidel dogs and sold as a slave, without striking a blow in his defense." Cuthbert stood watching the corsairs, which were now rowing toward them at all speed.
"Methinks, my lord," he said presently, "if I might venture to give an opinion, that we might yet trick the infidel." "As how, Cuthbert ?" the earl said.

"Speak out; you know that I have great faith in your sagacity." "I think, sir," the page said, "that did we send all your men below, leaving only the crew of the vessel on deck, they would take us for a merchant ship which has been wrecked here, and exercise but little care how they approach us.

The men on deck might make a show of firing once or twice with the falconets.

The pirates, disdaining such a foe, would row alongside.

Once there, we might fasten one or both to our side with grapnels, and then, methinks, that English bill and bow will render us more than a match for Moorish pirates, and one of these craft can scarcely carry more men than we have.