Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 6).djvu/224

"'We must commence our journey, your excellency,' said Cospi, shortly after the meal was concluded.

"'I am ready,' I responded, and rose to my feet, submitting to the rebinding of my right arm to my as I felt resistance was useless.

"Cospi headed the small column, then came two of the banditti, next I marched, followed by two more of my guard, whose rear was brought up by a single brigand. It was a long journey through the rough country, for my captors carefully avoided the beaten tracks, and long before the journey was over I felt weary, but the steady march of my guards never wavered. Morning with its glorious sunrise had dawned for fully an hour, when I became aware that we were approaching the bandit chief's abode.

"'Your excellency must submit to be blindfolded," said Cospi, who now left the head of the column, and, suiting the action to the word, placed a brightly coloured silk scarf across my eyes, which left me in total darkness.

Steered by my former servant and now my captor, I stumbled on for some time, then became aware of being in a close atmosphere. The bandage was removed from my eyes. I was in the presence of the chief, Espaldo.

After a few minutes, during which my eyes were becoming used to the light, I began to comprehend the various objects around. I was evidently in a natural cave, from the roof of which hung long stalactites. At the far end of the cave was a ruddy gleam of light, which I concluded came from the sky, as the air seemed to blow fresher towards that part, and to relieve me somewhat from the closeness which I had observed on entering the cave. The sea was evidently near at hand, for I could distinctly hear the waves as they broke against the shore, which re-echoed with their beating and dashing against it.

"The cave itself was extremely long, and apparently stored with the proceeds of the spoils of both land and sea. Carpets, rugs, and tapestry of all descriptions lay profusely around, while the walls were adorned with rude carvings done in idle hours, and interspersed with weapons of defence, consisting of carbines, short, wide-bladed swords, curved scimitars, and some curious-looking two-handed weapons. Upon a pile of carpet and skins lay the chief, a dark, handsome man, fully fifty years of age. Ranged round him were carbineers, with here and there a woman's face adorned with long ear-rings and gay-coloured shawls. On left and right of the chief's daïs the attendants ranged, and along the cave. Through the pathway thus made I was led into Espaldo's presence.

"Cospi, carbine in hand, stood at my right. Behind were two of my guard. The rest had joined the number who filled the sides of the cave.

"The confused murmur of voices died away as Espaldo, raising himself, directed a keen glance at me, and inquired, 'Your name, captive?'

"Your name, captive?"

"'Frederic Scott Wynton,' I responded, meeting his glance with all the calmness and fortitude I could command.

"'You are an Englishman, if I may judge from your accent?' continued the chief.

"'I am proud to own that is the fact,' I replied.

"'Your profession?'

"'Artist—that is to say, I paint a little, and also carve occasionally in stone.'

"'Do you understand why you have been brought here?'

"'I presume that some ransom may be obtained for my release,' I answered.