St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-08-23
CHAPTER NV.
CARPENA,s nFFFR-


CHAPTER NV.
CARPENA's OFFER.
Ten minutes later, after smoke at his
door, Andrea rejoined his guests in the
room, while Maria continued her work
about the house.
Count" said the. fisherman. ''the wind
IS oil the land, and do not think the sea
will be rough tonight. The simplest way.
and consequently the best way to avoid OBJ
servatiOn, isifoT YOU to come with me. If
you think so, il would be better to get away
tonight about 10 o'clock. You can then
get down between the rocks TO the waters
edge. No one will see you. Ny boat will
take you off to the balaneellO, and we can
at once put to sea without attracting atten-
ton, for they know l am going ont tonight
Ii the breeze freShenS too much | will run
down the coast so as to set you ashore be-
yOnd the Austrian frontier, at the mouth of
the Cattaro."
And if it does not freshen, what are
you going TO do?" asked SandOrf.
I'VE will 90 out to sea-" answered the
fisherman, land | will land YOU on the
coast OF Rimini. or at the mouth of the Po. "
lis your boat big enough for voyage
like that?" asked Bathory.
Yes, it is a good boat, half-decked. and
my son and l have been out in her in very
bad weather. Besides, We must run some
risk"
I'VE must run some risk" said Count
SandOrf: ''our lives are at stake, and moth
ing Is more natural. But for you. my friend,
To risk your life"
That is my business, count, answered
Andrea; land am only doing my duty in
wishing to save YOU"
Your duty?"
"Yes."
And Andrea FerratO related the episode
in his life ON account of which he had left
Santa Mama, and told how the good he
was about TO do would be just compensa-
ton for the evil he had done
''YOu are a splendid fellOwr' exclaimed
Sandorf, much affected by the recital.
Then continuing
But if we 20 To the mouths of the
CattarO or the Italian coast that will neces-
state long absence which on your part
will aStOnish the people of ROvignO. After
you have put us in safety there is no need
for you to return and be arrested"
Never fear" answered Andrea. ''Some-
times | am five or six days at sea. Besides
tell you that is my business. 1t is what
must be done and it is what shall be done"
So that the only thing to do was to discuss
the scheme, which was evidently Il good
one and easy of execution, for the balaneeIle
was quite equal to the voyage. Care would
have TO be taken in getting on board; but
the night was sure TO be dark and mOOnleSS,
and probably with the evening one of those
thick miSts would come up along the coast
which do not extend far out to sea. The
beach would then be deserted. The other
fish Earr-, Y1airrbhnY.- tvOrIJ !,
busy, as they had said, among their mad
ragueS on the rocks two or three miles be-
low ROvignO. When they sighted the
bIlancelle. if they did sight her, she
would be far out at sea with the fugitiyes
under her deck.
And what is the distance in a direct
line between ROvignO and the nearest point
of the Italian cOaSt?" asked BathOTY.
About fifty miles"
''And how long will it take you to do
that?''
with a favorable wind we ought to
cross in twelve hours. But you have no
money. You will want some. Take this
belt, it has got 800 forms in it, and buckle
it round YOU"
my friend" said SandOrf.
You can return it later on" replied the
fisherman. when you are in safety. And
now wait here till l come back.
Matters being thus arranged FerratO
went To resume his usual occupations. some
times on the beach and sometimes about his
house. Luigi, without being noticed, took
on board in a spare sail provisions for sew
eral days. There seemed 10 possibility of
suspicion that might alter Ferrato's plans.
He was even 50 careful in his precautions
as not 10 see his guests again during the
day. SandCrf and BathOry remained in
hiding at the back of the room in which the
window remained open. The fisherman
was to call them when il was time for them
10 go.
Many OF the neighbOrs came in to have a
chat during the afternoon about the appear
ance of the tumnieS and the fishing. Andrea
received them in the front room and offered
them something TO drink as usual.
The greater part OF the day thus passed
in going backwards and forwards and in
talk. Many times the subject of the pTiS-
Oners cropped UP. There was a rumor that
they had been caught near the QuamerO
canal on the opposite side OF Istria-a rUmOr
which was soon afterwards cOntradicted.
All seemed working for the best. That
the coast was more closely watched than
usual BY the cust0m-hOuSe men, the police
and the gendarmeS were certain: but there
would probably be no difficulty in eyading
the guard when night came ON.
The embargo. as we know, had only been
put on the long voyage ships and the Medi-
terranean coasters, and not ON the local
fishing boats The balancelle would thus
be able TO get under sail without suspicion.
But Andrea Ferrato had not reekoned OH
visit he received in the evening. This
visit was surprise at the first, and made
him anxious although he did NOT Under
stand the meaning of the threat until after
his visitors departure.
Eight o'clock was on the point of strik-
ing. and Maria was preparing the supper
and had already laid the table in the large
room. when there came two knocks at the
door. Andrea did not hesitate to go and
open it. Much surprised he found himself
in the presence of the Spaniard, Carpena.
This CaTpena was native of Almayati,
little town in the province of Malaga.