Adventure Magazine Cover — page 90: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

82 The patrono and his officers were equally curious to know what had driven their foes overboard when the galley was as good as lost. “T ask no man to speak against himself,”’ said the patrono delicately, “but certes, fair sir, have you any bargain, under favor of magic, white or black, by which you can summon the powers of the air?” “Nay, worthy sir,” replied Matteo. “TI had the knave down, and with my dagger at his throat he yielded. Afterward he was honest enough to stand by his bargain.” “But somewhat was said of a sign.” “Who says so?” “One of the galeotti “Imagination, magnificent sir.” “Yet,” persisted the patrono, ‘‘the fellow seemed to owe deference to you. As I said, I mean no intrusion, messer, but you are a stout warrior, for all your few years, and if you exert an influence over the pirates of these seas, I nfay make it worth your while to lend assistance to the merchants of my nation.” “You sing a different tune than that you held when you would have denied me pas- sage for the matter of a bezant or two,” jeered Matteo. ‘‘Let be, I prithee. The knave owed a debt to one I know, and when he saw who I was, he was anxious to pay it. By chance, then, you profited.” ‘“‘And so shall you,” returned the Pisan doggedly. ‘‘For I will even rebate you the sum of your passage.” “‘Vour generosity, magnificent sir, over- whelms me,” said Matteo, bowing low. But Ali, the wary, jogged his arm. “Give over, lordling,’ rumbled the old Turcople in a thunderous whisper. ‘The shipman means no harm, and the bezants may come in handy.” So Matteo added: ‘“‘Indeed, Messer Patrono, I shall not deny the merit of your reward, and for the lenity of yon monster, it was more than I had ever expected. I comprehend it no more than you. But, certes, it could not have been achieved by black magic, for e’er sail- ing I burned a candle to my patron be- seeching that he smooth the path ahead of me, and if merit belongs to any, it belongs to him.” “Ha, so!’ exclaimed the Pisan. ‘‘That explains it. An offering to a good saint in the right moment may do much. In that case, messer, I will even withdraw my offer Adventure of reward and expend the money in a special mass of thanksgiving for all on board the instant I set foot ashore in Tripoli.” “Spoken like an Italian moncy-lender:” hissed Ali, with hand on his sword-hilt. But Matteo laughed aloud, and this time it was he who exerted restraint. “Nay, nay, old wolf, we are the victims of our own modesty. And why should we begrudge contributing to a mass for the worthy patrono’s benefit?”’ ‘“*Twill be for your own benefit as much as other bodies,’ snapped the patrono. “And if you fought bravely, you were given passage at the less rate for no other purpose. You but earned your way.”’ “Aye, so,” agreed Matteo. ‘‘And now, we will eat and drink—and hark to me, magnificent signor, we eat and drink at your expense henceforth. Dost under- stand?” There was a sharp edge to his voice. “Oh, aye,” said the patrono uneasily. “T am a reasonable man. Eat as you will.” “‘That will we,” asserted Ali, ‘“‘and drink, too.”’ And like a resourceful man-at-arms he immediately sought out the patrono’s pri- vate wine-cask. “Having broached one cask, I am of a mind to try a second,” he observed with a wink to his master. But Matteo refused to join his libations. “We came out of that coil with ease un- befitting our deserts,” remarked Matteo thoughtfully. “‘Belike we shall have trouble with Messer Gambaglio in Tripoli. Aye, after a fair day, look for storm.” “On a fair won field think not on defeat,”’ countered Ali, quaffing a second cup. “Messer Gambaglio will be swift to aid your father’s son.” But Matteo did not answer him. He took the ring of Sinan from his finger, stared at it idly and slipped it in his pouch. “°Tis potent for good or ill,” he mut- tered to himself. “If a pirate honors it, no less would a Templar cut down its pos- sessor. Best hide it for a while.” CHAPTER X MESSER GAMBAGLIO, THE GENOESE 4 Be Sancta Spiritu entered the harbor of Tripoli on the afternoon of the eighth day after quitting Acre. Matteo and Ali went ashore so soon as their horses could © Clooolkks C@ iin