Part 1 (2/2)
Juliet said nothing, though she echoed the sigh.
Meanwhile the schooner leant over to the breeze, and ere night-fall left the sh.o.r.es of Sicily far behind.
CHAPTER TWO.
UNFOLDS A LITTLE OF THE TALE.
Another and a very different vessel chanced to be floating in those seas at the time the Sicilian trader set sail. At a distance she might have been mistaken for a fis.h.i.+ng-boat, for she carried only two lateen sails, of that high triangular form which may still be seen in the Mediterranean and on the lakes of Switzerland. In reality, however, the vessel was of greater dimensions than even the largest boat, and her main-mast with its sail was of gigantic proportions. She was also full-decked, and several pieces of heavy ordnance pointed their black muzzles from port-holes in her bulwarks.
No one could have mistaken her character as a vessel of war, for, besides the guns referred to, she had an unusually large crew of bronzed and stalwart men. Their costume, as well as their arms, told that these were of Eastern origin. Although there was much variety in detail, they all wore the same gold-laced jackets, the same loose Turkish drawers gathered in below the knees, and broad silken scarfs round their waists, with richly chased silver-mounted pistols and yataghans or curved swords. Some wore the turban, others the blue-ta.s.selled red fez or tarbouch of Tunis, while a few contented themselves with a kerchief tied loosely round their heads.
One, who appeared to be the captain of the vessel, stood near the steersman, leaning on the bulwarks, and scanning the horizon with a telescope. His costume was similar to that of his men, but of richer material.
”It is certainly a sail,” said he whom we have styled the captain to one who stood by his side, and might have been his lieutenant or mate.
”She bears sou'-west, I think,” replied the latter.
”So much the better,” returned the captain; ”let her fall off a little-- so, steady. If this wind holds for half an hour we shall get well abreast of her, and then--”
The captain shut up the telescope with an emphatic bang, by way of termination to his remark, and, turning on his heel, paced the deck rapidly by the side of his mate.
”We have been unlucky hitherto,” he observed; ”perchance fortune may change and now be favourable. At all events, we shall be ready. See, the breeze freshens. Go, call up the men and clear for action.”
The breeze had indeed been freshening while he spoke, and now came down in a series of squalls that caused the piratical-looking craft to lie over as if she were about to capsize. The vessel which they were pursuing also bent over to the breeze and crowded all sail; for well did Francisco, its owner and padrone, know, from past experience, that Algerine corsairs were fast sailers, and that his only hope lay in showing them his heels! He had often given them the slip before--why should he not again?
While thus doing his best to escape, however, the bluff merchant did not neglect to make preparations for defence.
”Clear away the big gun,” he said to Mariano, who acted as his first officer, Lucien being the scrivano or supercargo of the vessel; ”'tis a good piece, and has turned the flight of many a pirate with its first bark.”
The latter part of this remark was addressed to Bacri, who stood, leaning over the taffrail, looking anxiously at the vessel in chase.
”If it be Sidi Ha.s.san,” muttered the Jew half aloud, ”there is little chance--”
”What say you?” demanded Francisco.
”I say that if it be the vessel of a man whom I happen to know, you will have to trust to your sails for deliverance--fighting will be of no avail.”
Francisco looked at the Jew with some surprise, not unmingled with contempt.
”A warlike spirit, it seems, does not always consort with a powerful frame,” he said; ”but how come you to have sc.r.a.ped acquaintance with these pirates, whose existence is a blight upon the commerce of the Mediterranean, and a disgrace to our age?”
”None should know better than thyself that a trader, like any other traveller, becomes acquainted with strange bedfellows,” replied Bacri, with a quiet smile. ”As to a warlike spirit, of what use would it be in a despised Israelite to display such?”
”There is truth in that,” returned the padrone in a more respectful tone; ”nevertheless, if fighting becomes needful, I trust that one furnished with such thews and sinews will not fail to lend effective aid.”
”That he will not, I dare say; and here is a cutla.s.s for him, wherewith to carve a name and fame,” said Mariano, coming aft at the moment and presenting the weapon to Bacri, who took it with a half-humorous smile, and laid it on the seat beside him.
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