"Art not afraid, Ralph?" queried Matteo humorously. "Belike the sea-sickness is gripping you again?" "Art always poking fun, Messer Matteo," reproached the archer. "Certes, you know well I have never suffered from the sea-sickness since that first voyage over the Narrow Seas." "Then it must be plain fear that hath gripped you, Ralph," said Hugh, mock-solemnly. "Fear?" returned Ralph indignantly. "I should like to see anybody else telling me so! But I will admit, Messer Hugh, I am often giving up hope we shall ever see England again, what with all the ventures we run into." Sir James laughed. "Talk not to me of Ralph's fears," he said. "How many varlets would fare as far as hath he, and never know a qualm for home--ay, or what knight, either?" He clapped Ralph on the back. "Fear naught, lad. An I still live, after eight years entombed, doubt not you shall win home. And when you do, Ralph, 'tis in my mind to make you constable of Chesby Castle and appoint you to the raising of a company of bowmen like yourself. How now, Hugh? What lord would hunger for our lands, an we had such a guard for them?" "You say sooth, sweet lord," replied Hugh. "But--Ha!" He raised his shield and deflected a crossbow quarrel which was aimed at his father's shoulder. "Shoot fast, Ralph," he cried. "An you may, keep down the fire of yon archers!" The _Paradise_, buckled by stout cables to the hull of the _Pilgrim_, Dandolo's flagship, was rowing clumsily toward a tower near the Gate of Ispigas, where there was almost no land betwixt the foot of the tower walls and the water. A constantly freshening wind had sprung up since the fleet began its advance, blowing against the sterns of the vessels and driving the water upon the city shore of the harbour, with the effect of deepening the channel adjacent to the walls. With this fortuitous circumstance to aid them the Venetians were able to approach closer than ever before. Ralph shot as rapidly as he could nock his arrows and aim, and his clothyard shafts wrought havoc with the tower's defenders. They drove through mantlets, shields and armour, and the comrades gave him good cover with their shields when the Greek archers sought to answer him. Nearer and nearer rowed the _Paradise_. She was so close now that the catapults on the walls could not be brought to bear upon her. The stones and other missiles flew over the vessel and splashed harmlessly into the water.