BY ORDER OF THE CZAR. 333
commended ourselves to the Virgin and to our own much beloved and beholden-to saint ? "
" She did not help Pierre when we were wrecked and lost our mate," said the helmsman.
" Forgive him, Santa Maria ! " exclaimed the second fisherman ; " he knows not what he says !
" It is no ghost, comrades," repeated the bravest of the three, il only a drowned man ; let us take him in tow."
" What if he take us in tow ? " said the first of the Chio- zotti.
lt Truly, what then ? " exclaimed the helmsman. " Look at him ! Dead, do you say ? Yes, a dead-alive ; he swims, don't you see it, first on his breast, then on his side, and thirdly on his back. Do drowned men swim like that?"
" It's the action of the waves," said the second fisherman, taking another drink.
11 Strange action ! " said the first.
" Yes, I grant you," said the second ; " but are we cow- ards ? Have we been out in all weathers, and seen strange sights by night and day, and are we going to be afraid now that the sun is rising and Venezia begins to look across the water to the Lido ? "
" No," said the first spokesman.
" What shall we do, good comrade ? "
11 Lower the boat and take the drowned man in tow ! " said the other, handing the bottle to the steersman, who emptied it and found himself more courageous by two wine-glasses full.
" But see," he said, lt nevertheless it is coming along of its own accord. It needs no assistance ! "
" There will be a reward," said the second sailor. " I see gold lace ; it is the body of an officer in uniform."
" Don't romance," replied the first fisherman ; " it is the glint of the sun on the water."
