As soon as it was daylight next morning, Francis was up and at work.
His experiments of the evening before were at once confirmed. Three or
four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make
no impression on the rivets at his ankles. After a few trials he gave
this up as hopeless, for he was afraid, if he continued, he would blunt
the edge of the dagger.
For an hour he sat still, thinking, and at last an idea occurred to
him. Iron could be ground by rubbing it upon stone, and if he could not
cut off the burr of the rivet with the dagger, he might perhaps be able
to wear it down, by rubbing it with a stone.
He at once turned to the walls of his cell. These were not built of the
unbaked clay so largely used for houses of the poorer class in Northern
Egypt, but had evidently been constructed either as a prison, or more
probably as a strong room where some merchant kept valuable goods. It
was therefore constructed of blocks of hard stone.
It seemed to Francis that this was sandstone, and to test its quality,
he sat down in the corner where the guard had, the night before, placed
his supply of food and water. First he moistened a portion of the wall,
then he took up a link of his chain, and rubbed for some time against
it. At last, to his satisfaction, a bright patch showed that the stone
was capable of wearing away iron. But in vain did he try to twist his
legs so as to rub the rivet against the wall, and he gave up the
attempt as impossible.
It was clear, then, that he must have a bit of the stone to rub with.
He at once began to dig with the dagger in the earth at the foot of the
wall, to see if he could find any such pieces. For a long time he came
across no chips, even of the smallest size. As he worked, he was most
careful to stamp down the earth which he had moved, scattering over it
the sand, of which there was an abundance in the corners of the room,
to obliterate all traces of his work.
When breakfast time approached he ceased for a while, but after the
meal had been taken, he recommenced the task. He met with little
success till he reached the door, but here he was more fortunate. A
short distance below the surface were a number of pieces of stone of
various sizes, which, he had no doubt, had been cut from the blocks to
allow for the fixing of the lintel and doorpost. He chose half a dozen
pieces of the handiest sizes, each having a flat surface. Then
replacing the earth carefully, he took one of the pieces in his hand,
and moistening it with water, set to work.
He made little progress. Still the stone did wear the iron, and he felt
sure that, by perseverance, he should succeed in wearing off the burrs.
All day he worked without intermission, holding a rag wrapped round the
stone to deaden the sound. He worked till his fingers ached so that he
could no longer hold it, then rested for an hour or two, and resumed
his work. When his guard brought his dinner he asked him when the
galley was to sail again.
"It was to have gone today," the man said, "but the captain has been
laid up with fever. He has a leech from Tunis attending him, and, weak
as he is, he is so bent on going that he would have had himself carried
on board the ship, had not the leech said that, in that case, he would
not answer for his life, as in the state his blood is in, his wounds
would assuredly mortify did he not remain perfectly quiet. So he has
agreed to delay for three days."
Francis was unable to work with the stone at night, for in the
stillness the sound might be heard; but for some hours he hacked away
with the dagger at the rivets on his manacles. The next morning he was
at work as soon as the chirrup of the cicadas began, as these, he knew,
would completely deaden any sound he might make. By nighttime the rivet
ends on the irons round his ankles were worn so thin, that he felt sure
that another hour's work would bring them level with the iron, and
before he went to sleep the rivets on the wrist were in the same
condition.
He learned from his guard, next morning, that the captain was better,
that he was to be taken on board in the cool of the evening, and that
the vessel would start as soon as the breeze sprang up in the morning.
In the afternoon his two guards entered, and bade him follow them. He
was conducted to the principal house in the village, and into a room
where Ruggiero Mocenigo was lying on a couch.
"I have sent for you," Ruggiero said, "to tell you that I have not
forgotten you. My vengeance has been delayed from no fault of mine, but
it will be all the sweeter when it comes. I am going to fetch Polani's
daughters. I have heard that, since you thrust yourself between me and
them, you have been a familiar in the house, that Polani treats you as
a member of the family, and that you are in high favour with his
daughters. I have kept myself informed of what happened in Venice, and
I have noted each of these things down in the account of what I owe
you. I am going to fetch Polani's daughters here, and to make Maria my
wife, and then I will show her how I treat those who cross my path. It
will be a lesson to her, as well as for you. You shall wish yourself
dead a thousand times before death comes to you."
"I always knew that you were a villain, Ruggiero Mocenigo," Francis
said quietly, "although I hardly thought that a man who had once the
honour of being a noble of Venice, would sink to become a pirate and
renegade. You may carry Maria Polani off, but you will never succeed
through her in obtaining a portion of her father's fortune, for I know
that, the first moment her hands are free, she will stab herself to the
heart, rather than remain in the power of such a wretch."
Ruggiero snatched up a dagger from a table by his couch as Francis was
speaking, but dropped it again.
"Fool," he said. "Am I not going to carry off the two girls? and do you
not see that it will tame Maria's spirit effectually, when she knows
that if she lays hands on herself, she will but shift the honour of
being my wife from herself to her sister?"
As the laugh of anticipated triumph rang in Francis's ears, the latter,
in his fury, made a spring forward to throw himself upon the villain,
but he had forgotten his chains, and fell headlong on to the floor.
"Guards," Ruggiero shouted, "take this fellow away, and I charge you
watch over him securely, and remember that your lives shall answer for
his escape."
"There is no need for threats, signor," Philippo said. "You can rely on
our vigilance, though, as far as I see, if he had but a child to watch
him he would be safe in that cell of his, fettered as he is."
Ruggiero waved his hand impatiently, and the two men withdrew with
their prisoner.
"If it were not that I have not touched my share of the booty of our
last trip," Philippo said as they left the house, "I would not serve
him another day. As it is, as soon as the galley returns, and we get
our shares of the money, and of the sum he has promised if this
expedition of his is successful, I will be off. I have had enough of
this. It is bad enough to be consorting with Moors, without being
abused and threatened as if one was a dog."
As soon as he was alone again, Francis set to work, and by the
afternoon the ends of the four rivets were worn down level with the
iron, and it needed but a pressure to make the rings spring open. Then
he waited for the evening before freeing himself, as by some chance he
might again be visited, and even if free before nightfall he could not
leave the house.
Philippo was later than usual in bringing him his meal, and Francis
heard angry words passing between him and his comrade, because he had
not returned to relieve him sooner.
"Is everything ready for the start?" Francis asked the man as he
entered.
"Yes, the crew are all on board. The boat is to be on shore for the
captain at nine o'clock, and as there is a little breeze blowing, I
expect they will get up sail and start at once."
After a few minutes' talk the man left, and Francis waited until it
became almost dark, then he inserted the dagger between the irons at
the point of junction. At the first wrench they flew apart, and his
left hand was free. A few minutes' more work and the chains lay on the
ground.
Taking them up, he rattled them together loudly. In a minute he heard
the guard outside move and come to the door, then the key was inserted
in the lock and the door opened.
"What on earth are you doing now?" Philippo asked as he entered.
Francis was standing close to the door, so that as his guard entered he
had his back to him, and before the question was finished he sprang
upon him, throwing him headlong to the ground with the shock, and
before the astonished man could speak he was kneeling upon him, with
the point of the dagger at his throat.
"If you make a sound, or utter a cry," he exclaimed, "I will drive this
dagger into your throat."
Philippo could feel the point of the dagger against his skin, and
remained perfectly quiet.
"I do not want to kill you, Philippo. You have not been harsh to me,
and I would spare your life if I could. Hold your hands back above your
head, and put your wrists together that I may fasten them. Then I will
let you get up."
Philippo held up his hands as requested, and Francis bound them tightly
together with a strip of twisted cloth. He then allowed him to rise.
"Now, Philippo, I must gag you. Then I will fasten your hands to a bar
well above your head, so that you can't get at the rope with your
teeth. I will leave you here till your comrade comes in the morning."
"I would rather that you killed me at once, signor," the man said.
"Thomaso will be furious at your having made your escape, for he will
certainly come in for a share of the fury of the captain. There are
three or four of the crew remaining behind, and no doubt they will keep
me locked up till the ship returns, and in that case the captain will
be as good as his word. You had better kill me at once."
"But what am I to do, Philippo? I must ensure my own safety. If you
will suggest any way by which I can do that, I will."
"I would swear any oath you like, signor, that I will not give the
alarm. I will make straight across the island, and get hold of a boat
there, so as to be well away before your escape is known in the
morning."
"Well, look here, Philippo. I believe you are sincere, and you shall
take the oath you hold most sacred."
"You can accompany me, signor, if you will. Keep my hands tied till we
are on the other side of the island, and stab me if I give the alarm."
"I will not do that, Philippo. I will trust you altogether; but first
take the oath you spoke of."
Philippo swore a terrible oath, that he would abstain from giving the
alarm, and would cross the island and make straight for the mainland.
Francis at once cut the bonds.
"You will lose your share of the plunder, Philippo, and you will have
to keep out of the way to avoid the captain's rage. Therefore I advise
you, when you get to Tunis, to embark in the first ship that sails. If
you come to Venice, ask for me, and I will make up to you for your loss
of booty, and put you in the way of leading an honest life again. But
before going, you must first change clothes with me. You can sell mine
at Tunis for enough to buy you a dozen suits like yours; but you must
divide with me what money you now have in your possession, for I cannot
start penniless."
"I thank you for your kindness," the man said. "You had it in your
power, with a thrust of the dagger, to make yourself safe, and you
abstained. Even were it not for my oath, I should be a treacherous dog,
indeed, were I to betray you. I do not know what your plans are,
signor, but I pray you to follow my example, and get away from this
place before daylight. The people here will all aid in the search for
you, and as the island is not large, you will assuredly be discovered.
It has for many years been a rendezvous of pirates, a place to which
they bring their booty to sell to the traders who come over from the
mainland."
"Thank you for your advice, Philippo, and be assured I shall be off the
island before daybreak, but I have some work to do first, and cannot
therefore accompany you."
"May all the saints bless you, signor, and aid you to get safe away!
Assuredly, if I live, I will ere long present myself to you at
Venice--not for the money which you so generously promised me, but that
I may, with your aid, earn an honest living among Christians."
By this time the exchange of clothes was effected, the six ducats in
Philippo's purse--the result of a little private plundering on one of
the captured vessels--divided; and then they left the prison room, and
Philippo locked the door after them.
"Is there any chance of Thomaso returning speedily?" Francis asked.
"Because, if so, he might notice your absence, and so give the alarm
before the ship sets sail, in which case we should have the whole crew
on our tracks."
"I do not think that he will. He will be likely to be drinking in the
wine shop for an hour or two before he returns. But I tell you what I
will do, signor. I will resume my place here on guard until he has
returned. He will relieve me at midnight, and in the darkness will not
notice the change of clothes. There will still be plenty of time for me
to cross the island, and get out of sight in the boat, before the alarm
is given, which will not be until six o'clock, when I ought to relieve
him again. As you say, if the alarm were to be given before the vessel
sails, they might start at once to cut us off before we reach the
mainland, for they would make sure that we should try to escape in that
direction."
"That will be the best plan, Philippo; and now goodbye."
Francis walked down to the shore. There were no boats lying there of a
size he could launch unaided, but presently he heard the sound of oars,
and a small fishing boat rowed by two men approached.
"Look here, lads," he said. "I want to be put on board the ship. I
ought to have been on board three hours ago, but took too much wine,
and lay down for an hour or two and overslept myself. Do you think you
can row quietly up alongside so that I can slip on board unnoticed? If
so I will give you a ducat for your trouble."
"We can do that," the fishermen said. "We have just come from the ship
now, and have sold them our catch of today. There were half a dozen
other boats lying beside her, bargaining for their fish. Besides they
are taking on board firewood and other stores that have been left till
the last moment. So jump in and we will soon get you there."
In a few minutes they approached the side of the ship.
"I see you have got half a dozen fish left in your boat now," Francis
said.
"They are of no account," one of the men said. "They are good enough
for our eating, but not such as they buy on board a ship where money is
plentiful. You are heartily welcome to them if you have a fancy for
them."
"Thank you," Francis said. "I will take two or three of them, if you
can spare them. I want to play a trick with a comrade."
As the fishermen said, there were several boats lying near the vessel,
and the men were leaning over the sides bargaining for fish. Handing
the fishermen their promised reward, Francis sprang up the ladder to
the deck. He was unnoticed, for other men had gone down into the boats
for fish.
Mingling with the sailors, he gradually made his way to the hatchway
leading into the hold, descended the ladder, and stowed himself away
among a quantity of casks, some filled with wine and some with water,
at the farther end of the hold; and as he lay there devoutly thanked
God that his enterprise had been so far successful.
Men came down from time to time with lanterns, to stow away the
lately-arrived stores, but none came near the place where Francis was
hidden. The time seemed long before he heard the clank of the capstan,
and knew the vessel was being hove up to her anchors. Then, after a
while, he heard the creaking of cordage, and much trampling of feet on
the deck above, and knew that she was under way. Then he made himself
as comfortable as he could, in his cramped position, and went off to
sleep.
When he woke in the morning, the light was streaming down the hatch,
which was only closed in rough weather, as it was necessary frequently
to go down into it for water and stores. Francis had brought the fish
with him as a means of subsistence during the voyage, in case he should
be unable to obtain provisions, but for this there was no occasion, as
there was an abundance of fruit hanging from the beams, while piles of
bread were stowed in a partition at one end of the hold. During the
day, however, he did not venture to move, and was heartily glad when it
again became dark, and he could venture to get out and stretch himself.
He appropriated a loaf and some bunches of grapes, took a long drink
from a pail placed under the tap of a water butt, and made his way back
to his corner. After a hearty meal he went out again for another drink,
and then turned in to sleep.
So passed six days. By the rush of water against the outside planks, he
could always judge whether the vessel was making brisk way or whether
she was lying becalmed. Once or twice, after nightfall, he ventured up
on deck, feeling certain that in the darkness there was no fear of his
being detected. From conversation he overheard on the seventh evening,
he learned that Corfu had been sighted that day. For some hours the
vessel's sails had been lowered, and she had remained motionless; but
she was now again making for the land, and in the course of another two
hours a landing was to be made.
The boats had all been got in readiness, and the men were to muster
fully armed. Although, as they understood, the carrying off of two
girls was their special object, it was intended that they should gather
as much plunder as could be obtained. The island was rich, for many
wealthy Venetians had residences there. Therefore, with the exception
of a few men left on board to take care of the galley, the whole were
to land. A picked boat's crew were to accompany the captain, who was
now completely convalescent. The rest were to divide in bands and
scatter over the country, pillaging as they went, and setting fire to
the houses. It was considered that such consternation would be caused
that nothing like resistance could be offered for some time, and by
daybreak all hands were to gather at the landing place.
How far this spot was from the town, Francis had no means of learning.
There was a store of spare arms in the hold, and Francis, furnishing
himself with a sword and large dagger, waited until he heard a great
movement overhead, and then went upon deck and joined a gang of men
employed in lowering one of the boats. The boat was a large one, rowing
sixteen oars and carrying some twenty men seated in the stern. Here
Francis took his place with the others. The boat pushed off and waited
until four others were launched and filled. Then the order was given,
and the boats rowed in a body towards the shore. The men landed and
formed under their respective officers, one man remaining in each boat
to keep it afloat.
Francis leaped ashore, and while the men were forming up, found no
difficulty in slipping away unnoticed. As he did not know where the
path was, and was afraid of making a noise, he lay down among the rocks
until he heard the word of command to start given. Then he cautiously
crept out, and, keeping far enough in the rear to be unseen, followed
the sound of their footsteps. By the short time which had elapsed
between the landing and the start, he had no doubt they were guided by
some persons perfectly acquainted with the locality, probably by some
natives of the island among the mixed crew.
Francis had, during his voyage, thought over the course he should
pursue on landing; and saw that, ignorant as he was of the country, his
only hope was in obtaining a guide who would conduct him to Polani's
villa before the arrival of Mocenigo and his band. The fact that the
crew were divided into five parties, which were to proceed in different
directions, and that he did not know which of them was commanded by the
captain, added to the difficulty. Had they kept together he might,
after seeing the direction in which they were going, make a detour and
get ahead of them. But he might now follow a party going in an entirely
wrong direction, and before he could obtain a guide, Mocenigo's band
might have gone so far that they could not be overtaken before they
reached the villa.
There was nothing to do but to get ahead of all the parties, in the
hope of coming upon a habitation before going far. As soon, therefore,
as the last band had disappeared, he started at a run. The country was
open, with few walls or fences; therefore on leaving the road he was
able to run rapidly forwards, and in a few minutes knew that he must be
ahead of the pirates. Then he again changed his course so as to strike
the road he had left.
After running for about a mile he saw a light ahead of him, and soon
arrived at a cottage. He knocked at the door, and then entered. The
occupants of the room--a man and woman, a lad, and several
children--rose to their feet at the sudden entrance of the stranger.
"Good people," Francis said. "I have just landed from a ship, and am
the bearer of important messages to the Signoras Polani. I have lost my
way, and it is necessary that I should go on without a moment's delay.
Can you tell me how far the villa of Polani is distant?"
"It is about three miles from here," the man said.
"I will give a ducat to your son if he will run on with me at once."
The man looked doubtful. The apparel and general appearance of Francis
were not prepossessing. He had been six days a prisoner in the hold
without means of washing.
"See," he said, producing a ducat, "here is the money. I will give it
you at once if you will order your son to go with me, and to hurry at
the top of his speed."
"It's a bargain," the man said.
"Here, Rufo! start at once with the signor."
"Come along, signor," the boy said; and without another word to the
parents Francis followed him out, and both set off at a run along the
road.
Francis had said nothing about pirates to the peasants, for he knew
that, did he do so, such alarm would be caused that they would think of
nothing but flight, and he should not be able to obtain a guide. It was
improbable that they would be molested. The pirates were bent upon
pillaging the villas of the wealthy, and would not risk the raising of
an alarm by entering cottages where there was no chance of plunder.
After proceeding a few hundred yards, the lad struck off by a byroad at
right angles to that which they had been following, and by the
direction he took Francis felt that he must at first have gone far out
of his way, and that the party going direct to the villa must have had
a considerable start. Still, he reckoned that as he was running at the
rate of three feet to every one they would march, he might hope to
arrive at the house well before them.
Not a word was spoken as they ran along. The lad was wondering, in his
mind, as to what could be the urgent business that could necessitate
its being carried at such speed; while Francis felt that every breath
was needed for the work he had to do. Only once or twice he spoke, to
ask how much further it was to their destination.
The last answer was cheering:
"A few hundred paces farther."
"There are the lights, signor. They have not gone to bed. This is the
door."
Francis knocked with the pommel of his sword, keeping up a loud
continuous knocking. A minute or two passed, and then a face appeared
at the window above.
"Who is it that knocks so loudly at this time of night?"
"It is Francisco Hammond. Open instantly. Danger threatens the
signoras. Quick, for your life!"
The servant recognized the voice, and ran down without hesitation and
unbarred the fastening; but for a moment he thought he must have been
mistaken, as Francis ran into the lighted hall.
"Where are the ladies?" he asked. "Lead me to them instantly."
But as he spoke a door standing by was opened, and Signor Polani
himself, with the two girls, appeared. They had been on the point of
retiring to rest when the knocking began, and the merchant, with his
drawn sword, was standing at the door, when he recognized Francis'
voice.
They were about to utter an exclamation of pleasure at seeing him, and
of astonishment, not only at his sudden arrival, but at his appearance,
when Francis burst out:
"There is no time for a word. You must fly instantly. Ruggiero Mocenigo
is close at my heels with a band of twenty pirates."
The girls uttered a cry of alarm, and the merchant exclaimed:
"Can we not defend the house, Francisco? I have eight men here, and we
can hold it till assistance comes."
"Ruggiero has a hundred," Francis said, "and all can be brought up in a
short time--you must fly. For God's sake, do not delay, signor. They
may be here at any moment."
"Come, girls," Polani said.
"And you, too," he went on, turning to the servants, whom the knocking
had caused to assemble. "Do you follow us. Resistance would only cost
you your lives.
"Here, Maria, take my hand.
"Francisco, do you see to Giulia.
"Close the door after the last of you, and bolt it. It will give us a
few minutes, before they break in and discover that we have all gone.
"Which way are the scoundrels coming?"
Francis pointed in the direction from which he had come, and the whole
party started at a fast pace in the other direction. They had not been
gone five minutes, when a loud and sudden knocking broke on the silence
of the night.
"It was a close thing, indeed, Francisco," the merchant said, as they
ran along close to each other. "At present I feel as if I was in a
dream; but you shall tell us all presently."
They were, by this time, outside the grounds of the villa, and some of
the servants, who knew the country, now took the lead. In a few minutes
the merchant slackened his pace.
"We are out of danger now," he said. "They will not know in which
direction to search for us; and if they scatter in pursuit we could
make very short work of any that might come up with us."
"I do not know that you are out of danger," Francis said. "A hundred
men landed. Mocenigo, with twenty, took the line to your house, but the
rest have scattered over the country in smaller bands, bent on murder
and pillage. Therefore, we had best keep on as fast as we can, until
well beyond the circle they are likely to sweep--that is, unless the
ladies are tired."
"Tired!" Maria repeated. "Why, Giulia and I go for long walks every
day, and could run for an hour, if necessary."
"Then come on, my dears," the merchant said. "I am burning to know what
this all means; and I am sure you are equally curious; but nothing can
be said till you are in safety."
Accordingly, the party again broke into a run. A few minutes later one
of the servants, looking back, exclaimed:
"They have fired the house, signor. There are flames issuing from one
of the lower windows."
"I expected that," the merchant said, without looking back. "That
scoundrel would, in any case, light it in his fury at finding that we
have escaped; but he has probably done so, now, in hopes that the light
will enable him to discover us. It is well that we are so far ahead,
for the blaze will light up the country for a long way round."
"There is a wood a little way ahead, signor," the servant said. "Once
through that we shall be hidden from sight, however great the light."
Arrived at the wood, they again broke into a walk. A few hundred yards
beyond the wood was some rising ground, from which they could see far
over the country.
"Let us stop here," the merchant said. "We are safe now. We have placed
two miles between ourselves and those villains."
The villa was now a mass of flames. Exclamations of fury broke from the
men servants, while the women cried with anger at the sight of the
destruction.
"Do not concern yourselves," the merchant said. "The house can be
rebuilt, and I will see that none of you are the poorer for the loss of
your belongings.
"Now, girls, let us sit down here and hear from Francisco how it is
that he has once again been your saviour."
"Before I begin, signor, tell me whether there are any ships of war in
the port, and how far that is distant from us?"
"It is not above six miles on the other side of the island. That is to
say, we have been going towards it since we left the villa.
"See," he broke off, "there are flames rising in three or four
directions. The rest of those villains are at their work."
"But are there any war galleys in the port?" Francis interrupted.
"Yes. Three ships were sent here, on the report that a Moorish pirate
had been cruising in these waters, and that several vessels were
missing. When the story first came I did not credit it. The captain of
the ship who brought the news told me he had met you about halfway
across, and had told you about the supposed pirate. A vessel arrived
four days later, and brought letters from my agent, but he said no word
about your boat having arrived.
"Then I became uneasy; and when later news came, and still no word of
you, I felt sure that something must have befallen you; that possibly
the report was true, and that you had fallen into the hands of the
pirates. So I at once started, in one of the galleys which the council
were despatching in answer to the request of the governor here."
"In that case, signor, there is not a moment to lose. The governor
should be informed that the pirate is lying on the opposite coast, and
that his crew have landed, and are burning and pillaging. If orders are
issued at once, the galleys could get round before morning, and so cut
off the retreat of these miscreants."
"You are quite right," Polani said, rising at once. "We will go on
without a moment's delay! The girls can follow slowly under the escort
of the servants."
"Oh, papa," Maria exclaimed, "you are not going to take Francisco away
till we have heard his story! Can you not send forward the servants
with a message to the governor?"
"No, my dear. The governor will have gone to bed, and the servants
might not be able to obtain admittance to him. I must go myself. It is
for your sakes, as well as for my own. We shall never feel a moment's
safety, as long as this villain is at large. Francisco's story will
keep till tomorrow.
"As to your gratitude and mine, that needs no telling. He cannot but
know what we are feeling, at the thought of the almost miraculous
escape you have had from falling into the hands of your persecutor.
"Now come along, Francisco.
"One of you men who knows the road had better come with us. Do the rest
of you all keep together.
"Two miles further, girls, as you know, is a villa of Carlo Maffene. If
you feel tired, you had best stop and ask for shelter there. There is
no fear that the pirates will extend their ravages so far. They will
keep on the side of the island where they landed, so as to be able to
return with their booty before daybreak to the ship."