"Yes, I am. Whoever you may be, have no fear; I am not your enemy," returned the voice of Aslitta.
"I am down in the water half drowned."
"Peculiar," thought Aslitta; "I ought to know that voice, it sounds so familiar;" and in a loud tone he asked, "Who are you?"
Yet no answer came; evidently the voice in the well doubted his sincerity. To his good fortune he found a match which he lighted. With a suppressed cry he shrank back; he recognized the uniform of the Austrian officer.
Before he could recover his surprise, he heard words in pure Italian proceeding from the well.
"Keep me up! I am sinking deeper and deeper."
Now there was no reason for doubt; were he friend or enemy he would save him. Quickly unfastening his scarf, he held one end firmly while he threw the other over into the well.
"Catch hold of the scarf," he called down, "the stuff is firm and will bear you."
Immediately thereafter he felt that his order had been obeyed—the heavy silk became taut.