to appetite. He mentioned this to Gaetano, who replied that nothing
could be more easy than to prepare a supper when they had in their
boat, bread, wine, half a dozen partridges, and a good fire to
roast them by. "Besides," added he, "if the smell of their roast
meat tempts you, I will go and offer them two of our birds for a
slice."
"You are a born diplomat," returned Franz; "go and try."
Meanwhile the sailors had collected dried sticks and branches
with which they made a fire. Franz waited impatiently, inhaling the
aroma of the roasted meat, when the captain returned with a
mysterious air.
"Well," said Franz, "anything new? — do they refuse?"
"On the contrary," returned Gaetano, "the chief, who was told
you were a young Frenchman, invites you to sup with him."
"Well," observed Franz, "this chief is very polite, and I see no
objection — the more so as I bring my share of the supper."
"Oh, it is not that; he has plenty, and to spare, for supper;
but he makes one condition, and rather a peculiar one, before he
will receive you at his house."
"His house? Has he built one here, then?"
"No; but he has a very comfortable one all the same, so they
say."
"You know this chief, then?"
"I have heard talk of him."
"Favorably or otherwise?"
"Both."
"The deuce! — and what is this condition?"
"That you are blindfolded, and do not take off the bandage until
he himself bids you." Franz looked at Gaetano, to see, if possible,
what he thought of this proposal. "Ah," replied he, guessing
Franz's thought, "I know this is a serious matter."
"What should you do in my place?"
"I, who have nothing to lose, — I should go."
"You would accept?"
"Yes, were it only out of curiosity."
"There is something very peculiar about this chief, then?"
"Listen," said Gaetano, lowering his voice, "I do not know if
what they say is true" — he stopped to see if any one was near.
"What do they say?"
"That this chief inhabits a cavern to which the Pitti Palace is
nothing."
"What nonsense!" said Franz, reseating himself.nothing."
"What nonsense!" said Franz, reseating himself.
"It is no nonsense; it is quite true. Cama, the pilot of the
Saint Ferdinand, went in once, and he came back amazed, vowing that
such treasures were only to be heard of in fairy tales."
"Do you know," observed Franz, "that with such stories you make
me think of Ali Baba's enchanted cavern?"
"I tell you what I have been told."
"Then you advise me to accept?"
"Oh, I don't say that; your excellency will do as you please; I
should be sorry to advise you in the matter." Franz pondered the
matter for a few moments, concluded that a man so rich could not
have any intention of plundering him of what little he had, and
seeing only the prospect of a good supper, accepted. Gaetano
departed with the reply. Franz was prudent, and wished to learn all
he possibly could concerning his host. He turned towards the
sailor, who, during this dialogue, had sat gravely plucking the
partridges with the air of a man proud of his office, and asked him
how these men had landed, as no vessel of any kind was visible.
"Never mind that," returned the sailor, "I know their
vessel."
"Is it a very beautiful vessel?"
"I would not wish for a better to sail round the world."
"Of what burden is she?"
"About a hundred tons; but she is built to stand any weather.
She is what the English call a yacht."
"Where was she built?"
"I know not; but my own opinion is she is a Genoese."
"And how did a leader of smugglers," continued Franz, "venture
to build a vessel designed for such a purpose at Genoa?"
"I did not say that the owner was a smuggler," replied the
sailor.
"No; but Gaetano did, I thought."
"Gaetano had only seen the vessel from a distance, he had not
then spoken to any one."
"And if this person be not a smuggler, who is he?"
"A wealthy signor, who travels for his pleasure."
"Come," thought Franz, "he is still more mysterious, since the
two accounts do not agree."
"What is his name?"
"If you ask him he says Sinbad the Sailor; but I doubt if it be
his real name."
"Sinbad the Sailor?"
"Yes."his real name."
"Sinbad the Sailor?"
"Yes."
"And where does he reside?"
"On the sea."
"What country does he come from?"
"I do not know."
"Have you ever seen him?"
"Sometimes."
"What sort of a man is he?"
"Your excellency will judge for yourself."
"Where will he receive me?"
"No doubt in the subterranean palace Gaetano told you of."
"Have you never had the curiosity, when you have landed and
found this island deserted, to seek for this enchanted palace?"
"Oh, yes, more than once, but always in vain; we examined the
grotto all over, but we never could find the slightest trace of any
opening; they say that the door is not opened by a key, but a magic
word."
"Decidedly," muttered Franz, "this is an Arabian Nights'
adventure."
"His excellency waits for you," said a voice, which he
recognized as that of the sentinel. He was accompanied by two of
the yacht's crew. Franz drew his handkerchief from his pocket, and
presented it to the man who had spoken to him. Without uttering a
word, they bandaged his eyes with a care that showed their
apprehensions of his committing some indiscretion. Afterwards he
was made to promise that he would not make the least attempt to
raise the bandage. He promised. Then his two guides took his arms,
and he went on, guided by them, and preceded by the sentinel. After
going about thirty paces, he smelt the appetizing odor of the kid
that was roasting, and knew thus that he was passing the bivouac;
they then led him on about fifty paces farther, evidently advancing
towards that part of the shore where they would not allow Gaetano
to go — a refusal he could now comprehend. Presently, by a change
in the atmosphere, he knew that they were entering a cave; after
going on for a few seconds more he heard a crackling, and it seemed
to him as though the atmosphere again changed, and became balmy and
perfumed. At length his feet touched on a thick and soft carpet,
and his guides let go their hold of him. There was a moment's
silence, and then a voice, in excellent French, although, with a