"Now, wind thy horn once more, Thomas," he continued as the ship resumed her course straight for the Genoese galley. "Heaven help us if they see through the trick," he added in an undertone.
The Lymington ship, taking heart at the prospect of a rescue, redoubled her fire of arrows and stones, but withal the galley stuck doggedly to her prey. Nearer and nearer came the Grâce à Dieu, the lead-coloured water hissing from her bluff bows as her huge sail caught the rising breeze.
"We must fight them," quoth Oswald, "unless they give way. If we are to die 'tis better to fall in the heat of the fight than to have our throats cut in cold blood, for yon rascals give quarter to none—not even a gentleman of coat-armour."
"Give the Lymington men a rousing cheer, lads," shouted Gripwell. "Then stand to your arms and fight as you have never done before. Now, together!"
From five-and-twenty lusty throats a hoarse shout ascended in a roar of defiance.
This was too much for the Genoese. Thinking they had a shipload of valiant knights and their followers to reckon with, they sheered off, the huge sail was run up, and fifty oars splashed in the water. Once on the move the galley did not stop till it was a mere dot on the skyline.
"A wax candle as thick as my arm shall burn on the altar of the Church of St. Thomas à Becket at Warblington for this great deliverance," exclaimed the master-shipman fervently. "I' faith, methought I had lost both ship and life when the rogues held on."
"Bear up, that we may have speech with the Brothers of Lymington," said Gripwell. "Seeing that she sails but a trifle slower than the Grâce à Dieu it would be fitting that both sailed in company."
As the Grâce à Dieu drew up close alongside the succoured merchant ship the bellowing voice of the shipmaster of the Brothers was heard thanking these gentle and courteous knights for their timely aid.
"And though I be little skilled in reading the devices of gentlemen of coat-armour," added a voice, "I do perceive that the shield of my Lord Bishop of Winchester is displayed. Bear my humble respects to his Grace, and say that out of gratitude, I, Paul Roche, of the honourable company of Goldsmiths of the free borough of Southampton, do hereby promise a bar of virgin gold to the service of the Dean and Chapter of the See of Winchester."