crowded
mole, and the beach where a long line of spectators had gathered, there
burst a great cry of valediction.

That breeze blowing stiffly from the desert was Lionel's friend that
day. Without it his career at the oar might have been short indeed. He
was chained, like the rest, stark naked, save for a loincloth, in the
place nearest the gangway on the first starboard bench abaft the narrow
waist-deck, and ere the galeasse had made the short distance between the
mole and the island at the end of it, the boatswain's whip had coiled
itself about his white shoulders to urge him to better exertion than
he was putting forth. He had screamed under the cruel cut, but none had
heeded him. Lest the punishment should be repeated, he had thrown all
his weight into the next strokes of the oar, until by the time the
Penon was reached the sweat was running down his body and his heart
was thudding against his ribs. It was not possible that it could have
lasted, and his main agony lay in that he realized it, and saw himself
face to face with horrors inconceivable that must await the exhaustion
of his strength. He was not naturally robust, and he had led a soft and
pampered life that was very far from equipping him for such a test as
this.

But as they reached the Penon and felt the full vigour of that warm
breeze, Sakr-el-Bahr, who by Asad's command remained in charge of the
navigation, ordered the unfurling of the enormous lateen sails on
main and foremasts. They ballooned out, swelling to the wind, and the
galeasse surged forward at a speed that was more than doubled. The order
to cease rowing followed, and the slaves were left to return thanks to
Heaven for their respite, and to rest in their chains until such time as
their sinews should be required again.

The vessel's vast prow, which ended in a steel ram and was armed with a
culverin on either quarter, was crowded with lounging corsairs, who
took their ease there until the time to engage should be upon them. They
leaned on the high bulwarks or squatted in groups, talking, laughing,
some of them tailoring and repairing garments, others burnishing their
weapons or their armour, and one swarthy youth there was who thrummed a
gimri and sang a melancholy Shilha love-song to the delight of a
score or so of bloodthirsty ruffians squatting about him in a ring of
variegated colour.

The gorgeous poop was fitted with a spacious cabin, to which admission
was gained by two archways c