he remarked bitterly, for having helped
that red-jacketed thief, who, by way of return, had taken from him his
best man. Salve's desertion, indeed, irritated him more than he cared to
admit to himself. He had, according to promise, had him taught
navigation by the first mate on the voyage out; and had settled in his
own mind that when he himself retired from the sea Salve should command
the Juno for him. He certainly never would find another of equal
capacity, and at the same time so thoroughly to be depended upon; and
now all his comfortable plans were upset.
Before leaving the vessel Salve placed his silver watch, on which he had
scratched with the point of his knife, "In remembrance of Salve
Kristiansen," in the waistcoat pocket of Nils, who was snoring loud and
long in his hammock alongside; and then, unobserved by the watch on
deck, the two friends clambered over to the quay in the silent night by
means of the shore rope, and disappeared at once into the darkness of
the neighbouring alleys. The Brazilian appeared to be well acquainted
with the localities, and anxious at the same time; for he avoided the
lighted streets, and often stopped at dark corners to reconnoitre, and
see that the way was clear of the night police.
After picking their way for an hour among narrow lanes, they came out
into a suburb where the houses began to alternate with garden walls,
over which hung orange-trees diffusing their heavy perfume through the
quiet night. They had to cross an open place to the other suburb, Mata
Poreas, and upon the rising ground to one side of them they saw a
building that looked like a fortress enclosed by a stone wall, which
caused Salve's comrade considerable perturbation. It was the house of
correction, before which there was always a sentry on duty.
They passed it, however, unchallenged, and after half-an-hour's further
walking, the Brazilian halted at last before a garden wall, in which
there was a small wicket gate. He looked cautiously round him and said
excitedly--
"We must climb over here, and then--we are safe."
He climbed up on Salve's back, and so on to the top of the wall; drew
Salve up beside him, and then sprang down into the little garden and
began to roll about on the grass as if he had taken leave of his senses,
crying, "Salvado! Salvado!"
He rushed up then to the little villa that lay half overshadowed by
trees, and knocking in a particular manner at the door, called out
"Paolina!
|