With the landlord as interpreter the matter became easy. The man was going to sail in three days, that was as soon as the little vessel, in which he had brought a cargo of oranges and other fruit from Beyrout, had discharged her load and was ready to return. He was going to Larnaca on his return voyage, but for a consideration he was ready to take the English excellencies to any port they liked on the south coast—Ansina if they wished—and he would make them as comfortable as the boat would allow; but they must bring their own food and wine.
The bargain was soon struck, the Greek asking a sum which the landlord named to the professor—so many Turkish pounds.
“But is not that a heavy price for the accommodation we shall receive?”
“Yes,” said the landlord smiling. “I was going to suggest that you should offer him one-third of the amount.”
“Then we shall offend him and drive him away,” said Mr Burne.
“Oh, dear me! no, gentlemen. He does not expect to get what he asks, and the sum I name would be very fair payment. You leave the settlement in my hands.”
The professor acquiesced, and the landlord turned to the Greek sailor to offer him just one-third of the sum he had asked.
“I thought as much,” said the old lawyer. “The landlord thinks we’re in England, and that it was a bill of costs that he had to tax. Look at the Greek, Lawrence!”
The latter needed no telling, for he was already watching the sailor, who was protesting furiously. One moment his hands were raised, the next they were clenched downwards as if about to strike the floor. Again they were lifted menacingly, and there seemed danger, for one rested upon a knife in his belt, but only for it to be beaten furiously in the other. Quick angry words, delivered with the greatest volubility, followed; and then, turning and looking round in the most scornful manner, the man seemed to fire a volley of words at the whole party and rushed from the room.
“I’m sorry for this,” said the professor, “for we would have paid heavily sooner than wait longer.”