but of which
the English have been masters this many an age. It is an island subject
to King George, but which is still half Gallic in names and usages. This
is the reason why we like the lugger better than the cutter, which is a
more English rig."

'Maso was silent, for, if true, the answer at once removed many
misgivings. He had seen so much about the strange craft which struck him
as French, that doubts of her character obtruded; but if her captain's
account could only be substantiated, there was an end of distrust. What
could be more natural than the circumstance that a vessel fitted out in
an island of French origin should betray some of the peculiarities of
the people who built her?

The podesta was at home, in expectation of this visit, and 'Maso was
first admitted to a private conference, leaving the stranger in an outer
room. During this brief conference, the pilot communicated all he had to
say--both his suspicions and the seeming solution of the difficulties;
and then he took his leave, after receiving the boon of a paul. Vito
Viti now joined his guest, but it was so dark, lights not having yet
been introduced, that neither could distinguish the other's countenance.

"Signor Capitano," observed the magistrate, "the deputy-governor is at
his residence, on the hill, and he will expect me to do him the favor to
bring you thither, that he may do you the honors of the port."

This was said so civilly, and was, in itself, both so reasonable and so
much in conformity with usage, that the other had not a word to say
against it. Together, then, they left the house, and proceeded toward
the government-dwelling--a building which has since become celebrated as
having been the residence of a soldier who came so near subjugating
Europe. Vito Viti was a short, pursy man, and he took his time to ascend
the stairs-resembling street; but his companion stepped from terrace to
terrace with an ease and activity that, of themselves, would have
declared him to be young, had not this been made apparent by his general
bearing and his mien, as seen through the obscurity.

Andrea Barrofaldi, the vice-governatore, was a very different sort of
person from his friend the podesta. Although little more acquainted with
the world, by practice, the vice-governatore was deeply read in books;
owing his situation, in short, to the circumstance of his having written
several clever works, of no great reputation, certainly, for genius, but
whi