From her mainmast the red flag
with its green crescent was unfurled to the breeze, and from the 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 Pe?on
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 Pe?on 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.
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