The caique reached Trieste in time to meet the Spera in Dio, which, having discharged her goods, had taken a cargo of timber for Lissa. At Trieste, the pobratim bade good-bye to Captain Panajotti; and he, having found there two of his countrymen, was able to set sail for the Levant. From Lissa the Spera in Dio returned to Trieste, and there her cargo of sardines was disposed of to great advantage.
The young men had been sailing now six months with the captain, and he, seeing that they were not only good pilots, clever sailors, reliable young men, but sharp in business to boot, agreed to let them have the whole management of the ship, for he was obliged to go to Fiume, and take charge of another brig of his, that had lost her captain. Moreover, being well off, and having re-married, he was now going to take his young wife on a cruise with him.
"And who was the captain of your brig in Fiume?"
"One of my late wife's brothers, and as he seems to have disapproved of my second marriage, he has discarded my ship."
"And is he married?"
"Of course, he is; did you ever know any unmarried captain? Land rats always seem to look upon marriage as a halter, whilst we sailors get spliced as young as possible. Perhaps it's because we are so little with our better halves that we are happy in married life."
"And when you give up the sea will you settle down in Fiume?"
"I suppose so, though Fiume is not my birth-place."
"Isn't it? Where were you born, then?"
"Where the dog-king was born!"