The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-01-24

jeeted villagers were shouting ant
rushing down 10 the shore like ynad
men, ala pointing eagerly to a small
boat, which had just glided out from
between the VOLTS Teeth.
Its Antonios boai!" cried Battista
as she neared the land. Il know her b,
the patch in her sail; and see. he's wav
ing his cap to us"
We'll, comrades" cried Antonio
from the boat, I've got something
more than shelter from the VOLTS
Teeth. Look here!"
And he held up to their wondering
gaze The finest turbot they had ever
seen.
Wasn't that worth risking a wet
jacket for?" asked the lad, triumphant-
ly. They may well say that those
rocks are good place to fish just after
a squall. Now, I'm going straight up
TO the castle with this turbot of mine.
and we'll see whether his highness
won't think him worth paying well
for"
Antonio was as good as his word.
Tired though he was. he started off at
once up the hill, on the summit of
which the dark gray battlements of the
princes castle stood out above a huge
mass of sandstone cliff, from which the
domain of Monte Rosso (Red noun
tain) took its name.
The hill was steep, the way dusty, and
by the time he reached the castle gate
Antonio's t-begrimed face and tum-
bed hair, added TO his tattered red shirt
and bare feet, made him anything but
a presentable figure for a drawing
room. So evidently thought the burly
hall porter, who eyed him from head TO
foot, with a most superciious sneer.
What do you want?" snapped he.
I'VE don't allow beggars here"
Il am not beggar." replied Antonio,
as quietly as he could. Il bring his
highness the turbot that he ordered.
SHOW it to me-
1T is for the prince. not for you"
said our hero, somewhat roughly. for
his hot Italian blood was beginning to
boil at the lackey's insolence.
'Fellow." roared the porter, 30 you
know to whom you speak? Do you sup
pose that | will suffer any impertinence
from a barefooted ish-scraper?"
Better be barefooled fish-scraper
than an overfed yard dog" retorted An
tonic. And as for impertinence, |
would advise you not to offer too much
of it 10 mel"
There was something in the young
fisherman's look and tone, TO say moth
ng of the broad-bladed knife in his |
girdle, which made the clustering bully |
start back as if he had been stung, and |
ook round instinctively for support.
"Youneedn be so violent" grumbled
le. If you have business with his high
less, I'm quite ready 10 admit you
But, since you won't toucL a penny of
lis money unless do. think it's only
air that | should have a half-share of
t."
You half-share in what I've -isked
ny life for!' shouted Antonio. I'D
ooner-"
But just then tl!ought struck him
rhich checked his anger, and brought
mischievous twinkle into his bright
yes.
You drive hard bargain" said he;
but | suppose there's no help for il.
call to witness St. Antonio, my patron
mint fhat "a bnt 7 for Reb |
ou shall have your fair half of it"
Good" said the porter; Il know you /
aren't break that pledge. Here, Carlo. I
Ike this fellow inside. ard carry the /
sh to his highness." ]
In speaking thus the worthy porter ?
as counting upon Antonio's being y
aid and sent away without more ado. q
ut the prince was SO delighted at get y
ng his turbot after all, that he called
lie young fisherman up into the bal :.
my, where he was sitting with his \
lests, and bade him name hi. own
rice
my price," said Antonio, is a hun
red blows of a whip on my bare shoul-
,rs."
Are you mad?" cried the prince,
airing. u
mot I; I've named my price, and
ick to it, L
well, "cried Monte Rosso, wishing TO
lmor the supposed joke, so be it. Tie d
m up grooms; but strike gently"
He was oheypd. hut at tho fft;a4h z
roke. Antonio called out:
Hold! have partner" n
"And who is the partner in this hope
] venture?" laughed The prince. Of
Your own porter, who made me
omise him half share of wha atsoeyer ty