Volume I Part 67 (1/2)
Wharton went away and Clary was left behind She pondered deeply, whether she had done right in trusting herself to the care of these cannibals
CHAPTER XLIX
MALDAR'S FAREWELL
The Ice Bird flew like an arrow over the glistening waters, and in a few hours land was in sight Monte-Cristo went on deck with his son, and was delighted at the latter's enthusias his hand on the boy's head, ”in less than two hours you will set foot in a neorld Great dangers await you Will you have the courage to brave them?”
”Oh, papa, when you are near me, I have no fear”
”Do not speak thus; circumstances may happen which may separate us The desert is still unexplored, and the horrors of nature are not always the greatest dangers which threaten s, papa?” said Spero, terrified
”Because I am not immortal I may be conquered Spero, lookoccur, you will not despair
Youto your mother Love her like one of those sainted women, for she deserves it”
”What do you fear, father?”
”Nothing Rest easy, my son; I live and watch over you”
The nexthis orders as usual to the sailors Yet he was inwardly uneasy; a heavy load seemed to bear him down, and the air he breathed threatened to choke him
And yet he was surrounded by faithful servants, ould willingly have given up their lives for him--Jacopo, Bertuccio, and Coucou They were all ready to brave any danger, and the breast of each of them was a wall of protection about hiaze of the travellers Monte-Cristo leaned against the prow, and gazed enthusiastically at the harbor where the Carthaginian barks had hidden Hannibal's plunder
Suddenly Jacopo hurried on deck, and excitedly exclaimed:
”Master--come quickly--your cabin door is open”
”What of that?”
”The safe is open, too”
”Impossible!”
”Master, I saith round Gold and diamonds are scattered about the floor”
Monte-Cristo frowned Was there a thief on board?
”Come, Spero,” he said, and, followed by Jacopo, father and son hurried to the cabin
As the Corsican had said, the cabin was indeed open, and the carpet was streith emeralds, rubies, and other precious stones Monte-Cristo at first exa of which he alone kne to open
”It was not a thief who opened the safe,” he said to Jacopo
”But the jewels--”