ho either did not, or would
not, notice the sarcasm. "My good friends here"--pointing to the
servants--"bought this for me in the last town we came through."

Linton again fixed his eyes upon him; it was evident that he was
hesitating between belief and an habitual sense of distrust, that
extended to everything and everybody. At last he said,--

"And what led you hither, my friend?"

"Chance," said the man, shrugging his shoulders. "I could have no
preferences for one road over another--all were strange--all unknown
to me. I hoped with the aid of my guitar, to get some clothes once more
together, and then to find some vessel bound for the Adriatic."

"What can you do besides that?" said Linton, "for it strikes me a fellow
with thews and sinews like yours was scarcely intended to thrum catgut."

"I can do most things where a steady eye, and a strong; hand, and
a quick foot are needed. I 've been a hunter in the forests of
Dalmatia--herded the half-wild cattle on the Campagna at Rome--sailed a
felucca in the worst Levanters of the gulf--and to swim in a high sea,
or to ride an unbroken horse, I'll yield to but one man living."

"And who may he be?" said Linton, aroused at the southern enthusiasm so
suddenly excited.

"A countryman of mine," said the sailor, sententiously; "his name is not
known to you."

"How sad such gifts as these should have so little recompense in our
days," said Linton, with an affected sincerity. "There was a time, in
your own country, too, when a fellow like yourself would not have had
long to seek for a patron."

The Italian's cheek grew deeper in its flush, and his dark eyes seemed
almost to kindle beneath the shaggy brows; then correcting, as it
seemed, the passionate impulse, he said: "Ay, true enough, sir; there
were many who had the gold to squander, who had not the hand to strike,
and, as you say, fellows like me were high in the market."

"And no great hardship in it, either," said Linton. "There is a justice
surer and quicker than the law, which I, for one, think right well of."

Either not following the import of the speech, or not caring to concur
in it, the Italian did not reply.

"I have a notion that we may find out some employment for you here,"
said Linton. "What name are we to call you?"

"Giovanni," said the sailor, after a moment's hesitation, which did not
escape the shrewdness of his questioner.

"Giovanni be it," said Linton, easily; "as good as another."

"J