I pointed to a line of fishing-boats moored in the shoal water a short furlong off the shore.
"If you own one," said I, "give me leave to hire her from you, and name your price."
"Perche, perche?"
"I wish to sail her to the island."
"O galant'uomo, but why should any one desire to sail to the island to-night of all nights, seeing that to-night they have set it on fire?"
I stared at his simplicity. "You are not patriots, it seems, at this end of the Cape?"
He shook his head gravely. "The Genoese on the island are our customers, and buy our fish. Why should men quarrel?"
"If it come to commerce, then, will you sell me your boat? The price of her should be worth many a day's barter of fish."
He shook his head again, but called his neighbours to him, men and women, and they began to discuss my offer, all muttering together, their voices mingling confusedly as in a dream.
By-and-by the man turned to me. "The price is thirty-five livres, signore, on deposit, for which you may choose any boat you will. We are peaceable folk and care not to meddle; but the half shall be refunded if you bring her back safe and sound."