The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-02-26
CHAPTER XIV.
CARPENA's OFFER.


Ten minutes Inter after smoke at his
door Andrea rejoined bis guests in the
room, while Maria continued her work
about the house.
Count, said the fisherman, 1.-The
wind is OIL the and, and do not think
the sea will be rough tonight. The
simplest way and consequently the best
way to avoid observation is tor you to
come with me. If you think so it would
be better to get away tonight about ten
o'clock. You can then get down be-
tween the rocks to the waters edge. No
one will see you. My boat will take you
off to the buancello, and we can at once
put to sea without attracting attention
for they know | am going out tonight.
If the breeze freshens too much L will
rnn down the coast so as to set YOU
ashore beyond the Austrian frontier at
the mouths of the Cattaro.
And if 1t does not fresheu, what are
you going to do:" asked Sandorf.
1--WE will go out to sea-, answered the
fisherman. land will land you on the
coast of Rimini OF at the mouth of the
Po."
"Is your boat big enough for voy-
age like that q asked Bathory.
Yes; it is good boat half-decked,
ana rly son and have been out III her
iu very bad weather. Besides, VIC must
run some risk"
1--WE must run some risk, said Count
Sandorf; "our lives are at stake, AMI
nothing is more natural. But for you,
my friend, to risk your life
That is my business; Count" al.
swered Andrea, land ] am only doing
my du y in wishing to save YOU,
"Iour duty?"
"Ycs.'
And Andrea Ferrato related that epis'
ode in his life on account of which he
had left Santa Manza, and told how the
good he was about to do would be Il just
compensation FOR the evil he had done.
"You are splendid fellow !'eXclaim
ed Sandorf, much affected by the re-
cital.
Then continuing
But if we go to the mouths Of the
Catraro or the Italian coast that vii
necessitate long absence, which OF
your part will astonish the people %
RovignO. After you have put us IL
safety there is no need for you to return
and he arrested"
Never fear" answered Andrea
"Some shines l am five or six days a
sea. Besides tell you that is my busi
ness. 1t is what must be done, aud wha
shall be done"
So that the only thing to do was tC
discuss the scheme, which was evidentl
n good one and easy of execution
for the balancello was quite equal to tli'
voyage Care would have to be takei
in getting on board; but the night wa
sure to be dark and moonless, and prob
ably with the evening one of those thici
mists would come up along the coas
which do not extend far out to sea. The
beach would then be deserted. Th'
other fishermen, Ferato's neighho,s
would be busy us they had said, among
their madrngues on the rocks two o
three miles below Rovigno When the'
sighted the balancello, if they did sigh
her, she would be far out at sea with th
fugitivos under the deck,
And what is the distance in dircc
line between Ravigno and the neares
point of the Italian coast :" aske'
Buthory,
about fifty miles
And how long will it take you to IL
lnat;'
with favorable wind we ought Il
cross in Twelve hours. But you have IL
money. You will want some, TAX
this belt, it has three hundred tiorins il
it, and buckle it around you.
Ny friend said Sandori,
You cali return it later on" repliet
the fisherman, when you are III safety
And now wait here till come back.
Matters being thus arranged Ferrat
went to resume his usual occupation
sometimes on the beach and sometime
about his house. Luigi, without beinl
noticed, took on board III II spare sai
provisions for several days. Ther
seemed no possibility Of sIspiaion ths'
might alter FeTato's plans. He VII
even so careful in his precautions ~ uu
|
Sandorf and Bathory remained in hidm
at the back of the room in which tn
window remained open. The iisherHa
was to call them when it was time fo
them to go.
Many OF the neighbors came in t
have chat during the afternoon abol
| the appearance Of the tunnies aud Ill
fishing, Andrea received them III III
front room and offered them somethin
| to drink rs usual.
| The greater part of the day thus passe
in going backwards and fOrewards an
in talk. Many times the subject of ii
prisoners cropped up There was
rumor that they had been caught he,
the QuarneFo Canal on the opposite sio
of lstria-a lpmor which was soon aftel
wards Gontradl0ted
All seemed working for the bes
That the coast was more closely watoht
than usual by the Custom House me-
the police and the gendarmes was ce
tain but there would probably be |
difficulty i'll eyading the guard wht
night came on.
The embargo as we know, had on
been put on the long voyage ships AZ
the Mediterranean coasters and not
the local fishing boats. The ballence!
would thus he able to get under 81
without suspicion.
But Andrea Fernto had not reckon,
on y visit he received in the eyu.ul
This visit was a surprise at the first, a
made him anxious, although he did l
understand thsk leaning of the thr,
until after his visitors departure,
| Eight o'clock was ON the point
striking, and Maria was preparing |
supper and had already laid the table