ABSTRACT
W h a t shall I tell you ? The seamen who had been in the galleys had gained so much that they can be made prosperous by it for ever, they and theirs, if they know how to keep it. But, when the almugavars and retainers saw the great gain the seamen had made, they were full of envy and went to the Lord King and said to him : “ Lord, you see that the seamen have made much profit and do not mind how much they spend, and people think that we, whom they see badly clothed, are not of any account, and so, Lord, you should give us an opportunity of making profit.” And the Lord King said that he was willing to give them every opportunity he could of acquiring booty, and would do so willingly. “ Then, Lord,” said they, “ now is the opportunity for you to make us rich, and we will earn for you the greatest honour and the greatest profit vassals have ever earned for their Lord.” “ Then,” said the Lord King, “ say, what is that ? ” “ Lord,” said they, “ it is the truth that the count of Alengon, brother of the King of France and nephew of King Charles, is at Catona with a great force of chivalry. And if it pleases you, Lord, have the trumpets sounded and the galleys manned at once. And, Lord, the men will embark at once, for the seamen are always glad not to be idle. And as soon as they have embarked, we will ascend into the galleys and after we have retired for the night, say at midnight or after, the galleys shall take us over to the west of Catona, in such manner that they can make two journeys before dawn.
