charge. They were to proceed to Bordeaux by ship, then to journey
by land to Marseilles, and thence, being joined by some French
knights, to sail direct to Rhodes. Two months later an answer
was received. D'Aubusson wrote to the grand prior saying that he
would gladly carry out the last wishes of his dead friend, and that
he had already obtained from the grand master the appointment of
Gervaise Tresham as one of his pages, and begged that he might
be sent out with the next party of knights leaving England. It was
three months before such an opportunity occurred. During that time
Gervaise remained at the house of St. John's studying diligently,
and continuing his military exercises. These were severe; for
the scions of noble houses, who hoped some day to distinguish
themselves as knights, were put through many gymnastic exercises
-- were taught to spring on to a horse when clad in full armour,
to wield heavy battleaxes, to run and climb, and to prepare themselves
for all the possibilities of the mode of fighting of the day.

Gervaise gained the encomiums, not only of his special preceptor,
but of the various knights in the house, and of the grand prior
himself, both for his strength and activity, and for the earnestness
with which he worked. When the time approached for his leaving
England, the grand prior ordered for him the outfit which would
be necessary in his position as a page of the grand master. The
dresses were numerous and rich, for although the knights of St.
John wore over their armour the simple mantle of their order, which
was a sleeveless garment of black relieved only by a white cross
on the chest, they indulged in the finest and most costly armour,
and in rich garments beneath their black mantles when not in armour.

"I am well pleased with you, Gervaise," the grand prior said, on