l, in
which he had brought a cargo of oranges and other fruit from Beyrout,
had discharged her load and was ready to return. He was going to
Larnaca on his return voyage, but for a consideration he was ready to
take the English excellencies to any port they liked on the south
coast--Ansina if they wished--and he would make them as comfortable as
the boat would allow; but they must bring their own food and wine.

The bargain was soon struck, the Greek asking a sum which the landlord
named to the professor--so many Turkish pounds.

"But is not that a heavy price for the accommodation we shall receive?"

"Yes," said the landlord smiling. "I was going to suggest that you
should offer him one-third of the amount."

"Then we shall offend him and drive him away," said Mr Burne.

"Oh, dear me! no, gentlemen. He does not expect to get what he asks,
and the sum I name would be very fair payment. You leave the settlement
in my hands."

The professor acquiesced, and the landlord turned to the Greek sailor to
offer him just one-third of the sum he had asked.

"I thought as much," said the old lawyer. "The landlord thinks we're in
England, and that it was a bill of costs that he had to tax. Look at
the Greek, Lawrence!"

The latter needed no telling, for he was already watching the sailor,
who was protesting furiously. One moment his hands were raised, the
next they were clenched downwards as if about to strike the floor.
Again they were lifted menacingly, and there seemed danger, for one
rested upon a knife in his belt, but only for it to be beaten furiously
in the other. Quick angry words, delivered with the greatest
volubility, followed; and then, turning and looking round in the most
scornful manner, the man seemed to fire a volley of words at the whole
party and rushed from the room.

"I'm sorry for this," said the professor, "for we would have paid
heavily sooner than wait longer."

"Humph! Yes," exclaimed Mr Burne. "Why not call the man back and
offer him two-thirds of his price?"

"Because, sir," replied the landlord, "it would have been giving him
twice as much as would pay him well. Don't you see, sir, that he is
going back empty, and every piastre you pay him is great profit.
Besides, I presume that you will take far more provisions than will
suffice for your own use."

"Naturally," replied the professor.

"And this man and his little crew will reap the benefit?"

"But you have driven him away.