Part 24 (1/2)

”Not really?”

”It's quite a profession still in Sicily.”

”Do they catch people and hold them to ransom?” Dulcie's face was a study.

”Certainly they do, and chop their fingers off if their relations don't pay up. It's quite an ordinary little trick of theirs.”

”O-o-oh! Is it safe to go to the fair, do you think? That man in front hasn't any umbrella!”

”Don't be a scared rabbit, Dulcie! You little silly, can't you see they're ragging you?” put in Everard impatiently. ”There are no brigands left in Sicily now!”

”Aren't there, indeed?” said Ernesto. ”Ah! That shows how much you know about it! Only last week the Count Rozallo was taken prisoner on the road to Catania, and carried off into the mountains. He's there yet, till he pays a ransom of 25,000 lire.”

”Pooh! I expect he's done it to evade his creditors, if the story is true. I'll believe in brigands when I meet them, and not before!”

scoffed Everard.

”And I shall be frightened of every man who doesn't carry a big red or green umbrella!” declared Dulcie, hanging on to the arm which Douglas gallantly offered for her protection. ”What do you think about it, Carmel?”

”I think I'm quite safe, for the brigands are generally very chivalrous to women, and only run away with gentlemen and chop off their fingers!”

laughed Carmel.

By this time they had descended the road, and were entering the picturesque little town. Generally Targia Vecchia was the quietest of places, but to-day it was _en fete_. The fair was held all along the main street, in a large square opposite the church, and also on the beach. Everywhere there were stalls, selling every commodity that can be imagined. On the sweet-stall was sugared bread in the shape of hearts or rings, covered with gold and silver tinsel; there were sugar images, fruits, little baskets, carriages, birds, animals, all made in sugar, and apparently much in request among the juvenile population. There were cheap toys, bright handkerchiefs, Venetian shoes, tambourines, lengths of gay dress materials, dates, figs, and oranges, and the inevitable red and green cotton umbrellas. The small shops, following an ancient custom which dates back so many centuries B. C., had hung out signs to signify the nature of their wares to those peasants who could not read. Over the baker's doorway dangled a loaf, the shoemaker had a large boot, and the wine shops still showed the garlands of ivy once dedicated to Bacchus. A gaily-garbed chattering crew of people moved from stall to stall, laughing, gesticulating, and bargaining, and evidently enjoying themselves. A pretty girl was trying ear-rings, and looking at the effect in a mirror held by the vendor, while older folks flocked round a quack medicine dealer, who was loudly proclaiming the virtues of the various bottles.

The scene on the sh.o.r.e was even more picturesque than that in the town.

The beach, which was covered with pebbly sand, commanded a beautiful view of hills clad with p.r.i.c.kly pear, of the bright blue sea, the distant Calabrian coast, and mountains tipped with snow. Gaudily painted carts were drawn up, while their owners bought and sold, and rows of donkeys, with smart trappings and saddle-bags, were tied to posts. On the sand were numbers of animals for sale--oxen, cows, calves, goats, kids, great black hogs covered with bristles like wild boars, and tiny pigs which, when bought, were popped into bags with their heads and the two front feet peeping out. The noise was indescribable. Cattle lowed, pigs squealed and grunted, men shouted, children cried, and musicians sang and rattled tambourines. Beggars of all descriptions, the blind, the halt, and the maimed were there, clamoring for alms, and calling attention to their deficiencies, often thrusting a withered hand or the stump of an arm under the very noses of strangers, to demand sympathy and money from them.

Lilias and Dulcie began to understand why Signora Greville had not allowed the younger children to come to the fair. They were almost frightened by the dirt and impudence of the beggars, and each clung to the arm of a masculine protector to pilot her through the crowd. They were, indeed, glad to move away from the rather rough element on the beach, and turn back through the town, where the peasants were now taking lunch of maccaroni and omelettes at tables spread in the streets.

They bought a few curiosities and souvenirs at the stalls, stopped to listen to a band of musicians, then turned up the hill-side again, and made their way back to Montalesso, leaving Targia Vecchia to continue its merry-making.

”I should think the fair must be a wonderful sight at night!” said Everard that afternoon at the Casa Bianca.

”Rather,” agreed Ernesto. ”The people will be dancing down the streets by torch light and singing at the pitch of their voices.”

”I'd give anything to see it!”

”I shouldn't go, my boy, if I were you,” put in Mr. Greville quietly.

”You'd find it a rowdy place, and not at all to your liking. The wine shops will have been very busy all day.”

”And the people aren't over gentle with strangers when their blood's up,” added Vittore. ”They've no use for a nice young Englishman down in Targia Vecchia! Best stay safe at home.”

Vittore, who had waited till his uncle was out of earshot, spoke tauntingly. Everard colored crimson.

”I'm not afraid of a few Sicilian peasants!” he remarked.

Vittore's sneer had aroused his opposition, and made him determined to go, more particularly as Carmel had expressed great regret at not having bought a certain necklace which she had seen on a stall, and wished to add to a collection she was making of Sicilian peasant jewelry. It would be a triumph to walk down alone to the fair, buy the necklace, and show these young foreigners that Englishmen knew how to take care of themselves. He did not mention his intention to Mr. Stacey or to Mr.

Greville, but waiting till it was almost dark he avoided the family, dashed into the garden, and set off along the road to Targia Vecchia.

As Mr. Greville had prophesied, he found the little town in a decidedly lively condition. Barrels of wine were being broached in the streets by the light of flaring torches, and most of the men were in an excited condition. The Cheap Jacks were still doing a brisk trade, and at the jewelry stall Everard was able to buy the souvenir he wanted for Carmel.