The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-12-01
CHAPTER XI.-CoNr1NUED.

resolved not to 60 back to my lodging,
but to quit Florence the moment had Sc
cured my horse. 1t was necessary, however,
to provide some change of attire. l did
not intend to substitute steel corselet for
my buff-coat, having a mind to fight my
way back to fortune with no defense but
that over my heart, and contented myself
with purchasing a light steel helmet, a
pair of stout riding-boots, a cloak, and some
other articles which could go into small
valise, capable of being fastened on to the
back of saddle. These 1 left at the ven
doris, promising to call for them in an hour
or SO, and hurried toward the horse mar
ket, my shadow still keeping behind me,
in his accustomed place. Opposite the
Baptistry heard, to my surprise, some one
shouting my name, and looking in that di
rection saw a man running across the
pavement towards me. l recognized at once
one of my lances, Jacopo Jacopi, Lucchese,
whom l had every reason to believe de
voted to me. lie had served with me at
Fornovo and after; and although he sub
secuently left me for little time, on my
joining the Venetian fleet against the
Turks, he returned to my banner once more
when it was spread on firm ground, and
had always proved devoted follower. He
came now to me with joy on his face, shout
ing out, "Ah, exccllency! 1t is I, who am
q glad man to see you"
"Jacopi!" 1 exclaimed, "but my name
is no longer Savelli. 1t is Donati now-and
what do you hcre?"
He looked a trifle embarrassed, as he
replied: 81 am seeking service-I left the
army when your excellency left"
knowing the man to be a stout soldier, 1
decided on the instant what to do.
7
lose. Will you follow me once more?
ON bound to Rome on an urgent affair, and
leave to-day"
"Will dog sniff at bone? Will cat
pass by cream? Will an ass turn up his nose
at a carrot? will follow to the devil, let
alone Rome, excellency, and at once if you
will"
'Have you horse?"
Nothing, signore, but an arquebus and
my sword, which have at my lodging"
''Then come with me, we must buy two
horses, and leave at once"
81 am ready, your worship" and taking
his place little behind me we hurried on.
eve will have hard task to get to
Rome, now that the whole country is up,
signore," said Jacopo, as we walked along.
~ have thought of that" answered; Il
propose to go by Leghorn, and taking ship
VOeTe, pEOceeO 10 AOiue ny S6o.
Jacopo gave such a groan at this that
I turned round in surprise, and became at
once aware that my shadower had crossed
the road and come so close up to US that
he must have heard every word of our con-
versation. This was most annoying, and a
disaster of which the future consequences
might be most serious. determined how.
ever to be rid of him for the rest of my stay
in Florence at any rate, and addressed him
sharply:
''Signoce, seem to have excited much
curiosity in you. May ask what it is you
want:"
He stood for a moment, at loss for re
ply, and then said: "The road is as free to
ane as to you"
81 admit that" said; ''but object te
your stopping to listen to my conversation
and therefore will be Obliged by your pass
ing on, unless you want more severe pun
ishment than you received last night"
He turned pale with anger, and slipped
his hand into his vest; but as suddenly
pulled it out again, and without anothe,
word hurried past us.