Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 2).djvu/74

54 disquietude. The bark was moored to the shore, and they advanced a few paces to find a comfortable bivouac; but, doubtless, the spot they chose did not suit the smuggler who filled the post of sentinel, for he cried out:

"Not that way, if you please."

Gaetano faltered an excuse, and advanced to the opposite side, whilst two sailors kindled torches at the fire to light them on their way.

They advanced about thirty paces, and then stopped at a small esplanade, surrounded with rocks, in which seats had been cut, not unlike sentry-boxes. Around in the crevices of the rocks grew a few dwarf oaks and thick bushes of myrtles. Franz lowered a torch, and saw, by the light of a mass of cinders, that he was not the first to discover this convenient spot, which was, doubtless, one of the halting-places of the wandering visitors of Monte-Cristo.

As for his anticipation of events, once on solid ground, once that he had seen the indifferent, if not friendly, appearance of his hosts, his pre-occupation had disappeared, and at sight of the goat roasting at the bivouac, had turned 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, hah 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 seem born for negotiation," returned Franz; "go and try."

During this time the sailors had collected dried sticks and branches, with which they made a fire. Franz waited impatiently, smelling the odor of the goat, when the captain returned with a mysterious air.

"Well," said Franz, "anything new?—do they refuse?"

"On the contrary," returned Gaetano, "the chief, to whom they told that 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 attaches a singular condition to your presentation 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."

"Ill or well?"

"Both."

"The devil!—and what is this condition!"

"That you are blindfolded, and do not take off the bandage until he himself bids you."