Adventure Magazine Cover — page 85: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A Son of Strife The Hospitaler stroked his beard re- flectively. “That would be best,” he agreed. ‘‘And a new thought comes to me, Messer Matteo. I will accompany you to the Fondaco of the Pisans where I am known, and we will purchase a passage for you at the rate they charge their own people—which is very different from that the patrono would quote you if you went to him direct.” The viscount of the Pisans gave them a hearty welcome, and lent an attentive ear to the urgings of the Hospitaler in their be- half. “Why,” said he, “’tis not our custom to abate the rates of travel lawfully estab- lished, but if the youth and his servant will agree to lend assistance to the patrono if he is attacked by pirates, such as are be- come a menace on the coast, I will give them passage for two bezants in the Sancta Spiritu galley sailing at sunrise tomorrow.” “Certes, that is a fair offer,’ answered Matteo. “And you will furnish provender for yourselves,”’ added the Pisan hastily. “Ah, Holy Virgin, how prices do increase!” Matteo would have objected to this last reservation, but the Hospitaler made a sign for him to assent, and after they had left the Fondaco said: ““?*T was as good a bargain as you might expect. The Italian merchants thrive on our needs because there is none to compete with them. Then, too, they are inde- pendent, and had you offered objection to his terms the viscount might well have told you to look otherwhere for accommo- dation.” Matteo thanked the old knight for his kindness, and toward evening he and Ali rode down to the port and embarked upon the Sancta Spiritu. They were in the act of leading their horses on board when the patrono came up. ‘““How, now?” he demanded. ‘‘Was there aught mentioned of two steeds to take up cargo-room in the bargain betwixt you and the magnificent viscount?” “Why, no,” admitted Matteo. “Then keep them ashore, young sir.” “But, worshipful Messer Patrono, horses are not easy to come by in this land, as you know ee The patrono turned his back. “TY have said what I have said,” he announced, 77 Ali nudged his young master. ‘“‘He hath the right of it, Messer Matteo. Ask him for terms.” “‘The oversight was mine,” began Matteo again. “‘We may not leave our horses behind, Messer Patrono. Prithee, name a price—and remember we are not lords of the court.” “Four bezants, and not a denarius less.” “YT have only one bezant left,” objected Matteo. “And we have to buy food for the voyage.” ‘Three bezants, then.” “Why not say thirty?” asked Matteo sarcastically. ‘““Three, I said, and not a Matteo set his jaw, and started to lead his horse back up the gangplank. “May the curses of the holy saints descend upon the head of one so hard heart- ed to a fellow Christian in distress!’ he barked over his shoulder. ‘‘Well will it serve you, fellow, if the pirates “ “Hold, hold!” cried the Pisan, making the sign of the cross. ‘‘No curses, good youth! No curses, I prithee! ’Tis bad luck sufficient to have to counter the com- mon perils of a voyage in these parlous times without wishing more upon us.” “Ts that all you would say?” asked Mat- teo, halting. “Nay, have your own way—if you are in earnest you have no more than a bezant?”’ “°Tis what I told you, and I am not a Pisan.”’ “Eh, but you are a tenacious lad,” sighed the patrono. “Well, you shall bring your horses aboard for one bezant, and for your sake I hope your curse was stopped in time. These pirates are worse than Saracen raiders of the desert.” “So be it,” said Matteo, “‘two bezants for us and one for the horses es “That take up fifty bezants’ worth of cargo-room!”’ ‘and we thank you, fair sir, for your generous kindness to two poor victims of paynim wrath.” The patrono shrugged his shoulders. “Words are words, messer. They will not buy me new ropes or wine. Your troubles are your troubles, and mine are mine.” With which he left them, and after mak- ing their horses as comfortable as possible beween decks in the deep waist of the galley, they sought the sheltered half-cabin under 99 C@ CloOOOlkS (© iin