ignorant, but that assuredly their intention is to make a raid on the commerce of the coast, and perhaps to land at unprotected places.  At Ostia, after warning the authorities to send orders along the coast for the inhabitants to be on their guard, pray them to carry word at once to Rome, and request his Holiness the Pope to order some armed galleys to put to sea as soon as possible.  Beg them at Naples and Pisa to do the same thing.  But of course it is from Genoa that we must hope for the most assistance.

“In each place you will, if possible, see the syndic himself, and such of his council as can be got quickly together.  The moment you have done all you can at Genoa sail for the Island of Madalena, which lies off the northeastern point of the island.  There you will either find us, or a boat with a message where to direct your course.  I think perhaps it will be best to omit Naples —­ it will save you fully a day, if not two, to do so.  Pray them at Ostia to send off news down the coast, or to request the papal authorities to despatch mounted messengers.  ’Tis likely that, at first, at any rate, the corsairs will try the narrower waters to the north.  From here to Ostia is nigh two hundred miles, and if the wind is brisk you may arrive there tomorrow afternoon, and start again at night, arriving at Pisa before noon on the following day; while, allowing for four or five hours to ascend the river there, you may be at Genoa next morning.

“Three hours should suffice to gather from the authorities what force they can despatch, and as soon as you have learned this, embark again and sail south.  You may reach Madalena in two days.  Thus, at the earliest, it must be from six to seven days before you can bring us the news there; if you meet with calms or foul winds you may be well nigh double that time.  If at Ostia you can get a faster craft than this, hire it, or take a relay of fresh rowers.  I will furnish you with means when I give you the letters.”

In less than half an hour Gervaise was on deck again.  The boat had returned with the other Italian knights.  An ample store of provisions had been placed on board the Sperondra, both for the crew and for the three knights, and, without a minute’s delay, these took their places on board, the great sails were hoisted, and the craft glided rapidly away.

“The villagers spoke truly as to her speed,” Ralph said, as they looked after her.  “Even with this light wind, she is running fully six miles an hour, and as, by the look of the sky, there will be more of it soon, she will make the run to Ostia well within the time we calculated.”

Gervaise now questioned the other Italian knights as to what information they had gained.