After talking it over with Ralph, Gervaise told off three more of the knights to each of the prizes, so that there should be ten on board each.  This reduced the strength on board the galley to seventeen; but as they would have the assistance of a strong band of Sards they considered this to be ample, under the circumstances.  It was arranged that the galley, with one of the prizes, should close with the first corsair that came out, and that the other two prizes should attack the second.  After capturing these, they were to assist each other as circumstances might dictate.  Gervaise strongly impressed upon the knights in command of each prize that they were not, single handed, to attack a corsair unless one of their consorts was near, and free to give assistance.

“We must run no risk of a reverse,” he said.  “We are certain of destroying many of their vessels and of breaking up their fleet, and it is far better that a few should escape than that we should run the risk of losing ten of our number, to say nothing of those we have rescued from captivity.  In the excitement of the fight this order must be strictly borne in mind.  Our victory must be marred by no misfortune brought on by headstrong rashness.  The corsairs are bound to be very strongly manned, and ten knights, even aided by such assistance as they may get from the Christians, might find themselves altogether over matched against a crowd of desperate men.”

As soon as it was dusk the anchors were drawn up, and the fleet got under way.  They proceeded but slowly, for the wind was light, and the fishing boats moved heavily through the water.  There was, however, no occasion for speed, for Gervaise did not wish to commence the attack until past midnight.  The guns had all been loaded before starting, and a pile of ammunition was placed near each.  Presently the wind nearly died out, and the galley and prizes then took the coasters and fishing craft in tow.  It was nearly one o’clock when they got within half a mile of the inlet.  The tow ropes were then thrown off, the fishermen got out sweeps, and the galley led the way, the fire ships followed in a body, and the three prizes brought up the rear.  The oars had all been muffled, and slowly they made their way, until Fosco, who was standing next to Gervaise on board the galley, said that the point just ahead marked the entrance to the inlet.  They then stopped rowing until the fire ships were all close up.

These were, as had previously been arranged, in two lines.  Five fishing boats, each manned by four men and having its small boat in tow behind it, formed the first line; the three coasters, each with six men at the oars, and the three other fishing boats, formed the second.  The torches were now lighted.  Ralph took his place in the centre boat of the first line; Gervaise went on board one of the coasters, and the order was given to the men to row.  What wind there was was favourable, blowing from the northwest, and therefore right into the inlet.  Scarcely had the first boats reached the entrance when a shout was heard.