“If they did n't it was their own fault—at least, they gave themselves no fair chance: they always made for the shore, and generally the nearest shore, and of course they were followed and taken. I'll strike out for the open sea, and when I have cut the cork floats off a fishing-net, I'll be able to float for hours, if I should tire swimming. Once in the open, it will be hard luck if some coasting vessel, some steamer to Palermo or Messina, should not pick me up. Besides, there are numbers of fishing-boats—”
“Any one of which would be right glad to make five ducats by bringing you safe back to the police.”
“I don't believe it—I don't believe there is that much baseness in a human heart.”
“Take my word for it, there are depths a good deal below even that,” said the old man, with a harsh grating laugh.
“No matter, come what will of it, I'll make the venture; and now, as our time is growing short, tell me if there is anything I can do for you, if I live to get free again. Have you any friends who could help you? or is there any one to whom you would wish me to go on your behalf?”
“None—none,” said he, slowly but calmly.
“As yours was a political crime—”
“I have done all of them, and if my life were to be drawn out for eighty years longer it would not suffice for all the sentences against me.”
“Still I 'd not despair of doing something—”
“Look here, lad,” said the other, sharply; “it is my will that all who belong to me should believe me dead. I was shipwrecked twelve years ago, and reported to have gone down with all the crew. My son—”