Raoul and Ghita next discussed the little details; a place of rendezvous without the town, a short distance below the wine-house of Benedetta, being selected, in preference to choosing one that would necessarily subject them to observation.  This portion of the arrangements was soon settled, and then Ghita thought it prudent to separate.  In this proposal her companion acquiesced with a better grace than he might have done, had he not the girl’s assurance of meeting him within an hour, in order that everything might be ready for a start with the first appearance of wind.

When left alone, Raoul bethought him that Ithuel and Filippo were on shore as usual, the New Hampshire man consenting to serve only on condition of being allowed to land; a privilege he always abused by driving a contraband trade on occasions like the present.  So great was the fellow’s dexterity in such matters, that Raoul—­who disdained smuggling, while he thought himself compelled to wink at it in others—­had less apprehensions of his committing the lugger than he might have felt in the case of one less cunning.  But it was now necessary to get these two men off or abandon them; and fortunately remembering the name of the wine-house where they had taken their potations the previous night, he repaired to it without delay, luckily finding Ithuel and his interpreter deep in the discussion of another flask of the favorite Tuscan beverage.  ’Maso and his usual companions were present also, and there being nothing unusual in the commander of an English ship of war’s liking good liquor, Raoul, to prevent suspicion, drew a chair and asked for his glass.  By the conversation that followed, the young privateersman felt satisfied that, though he might have succeeded in throwing dust into the eyes of the vice-governatore and the podesta, these experienced old seamen still distrusted his character.  It was so unusual a thing for a French frigate, while it was so usual for an English frigate to be standing along the coast, near in, that these mariners, who were familiar with all such matters, had joined this circumstance to the suspicious signs about the lugger, and were strongly disposed to believe the truth concerning both vessels.  To all this, however, Raoul was more indifferent than he might have been but for the arrangement to sail so soon.  He took his wine, therefore, with apparent indifference, and in proper season withdrew, carrying with him Ithuel and the Genoese.

CHAPTER VIII.

     “Within our bay, one stormy night,
     The isle’s men saw boats make for shore,
     With here and there a dancing light
     That flashed on man and oar. 
     When hailed, the rowing stopped, and all was dark. 
     Ha! lantern work!—­We’ll home!  They’re playing shark.”

     DANA.

It was dark when Raoul quitted the government-house, leaving Andrea Barrofaldi and Vito Viti in the library of the former.  No sooner was the young seaman’s back turned, than the vice-governatore, who was in a humor to display his acquirements, resumed a discussion that he had found so agreeable to his self-esteem.