“To do that we must go together; but you are on horseback, I am on foot.”
The Venetian took the French knight on his saddle behind him, and said—
“Do you know with whom you are?”
“With a man, apparently.”
“Do you think you are in safety?”
“If you were a robber, you would have to take care of yourself,” said the Frenchman, putting the point of his dagger to the Venetian’s heart.
“Well, now, my noble Frenchman, you appear to be a man of great learning and sound sense; know that I am a noble, established at the Court of Sicily, but alone, and I seek a friend. You seem to be in the same plight, and, judging from appearances, you do not seem friendly with your lot, and have apparently need of everybody.”
“Should I be happier if everybody wanted me?”
“You are a devil, who turns every one of my words against me. By St. Mark! my lord knight, can one trust you?”
“More than yourself, who commenced our federal friendship by deceiving me, since you guide your horse like a man who knows his way, and you said you were lost.”