He moved, took the oars, and sent the boat towards the island. The physical exertion calmed him, restored him to himself.
"After all," he thought, "there is no harm in it."
And he laughed.
"Which has won, Maddalena?" he said, looking back at her over his shoulder, for he was standing up and rowing with his face towards the land.
"I hope it is my father, signorino. If he has got the money he will not be angry; but if Gaspare has it—"
"Your father is a fox of the sea, and can cheat better than a boy. Don't be frightened."
When they reached the land, Salvatore and Gaspare met them. Gaspare's face was glum, but Salvatore's small eyes were sparkling.
"I have won it all—all!" he said. "Ecco!"
And he held out his hand with the notes.
"Salvatore is birbante!" said Gaspare, sullenly. "He did not win it fairly. I saw him—"