1828.] A Night at Covtgllajo. 465 



levelled almost to the surface of the water. On her beam-ends the ship 

 lay writhing, and battered by the waves. Some were precipitated over- 

 board ; others clung to the rigging ; and others I know not whether 

 more happy or more wretched in their fate leapt into the ocean, and 

 swam towards land. Of this number, I was one. Those who escaped 

 the yawning death around them were hospitably received and cherished 

 by their countrymen. Their charity has given me the means of finding 

 my way to Trieste, whence I mean to work my passage to Catarrho. But 

 I care not if I die on the road ; for I am left a beggar in every thing 

 that makes life worth having ; and, with little hope for the future, it is 

 not likely I should much lament whatever may be my present lot. 



" Gentlemen, you have now heard my sorrowful story. I thank you 

 for the kind attention with which you have listened to it, and for the 

 sympathy which I can recognize in your looks. I have done/' 



He turned his face away from the company ; and his voice, which had 

 several times faultered in the progress of his narration, now burst forth 

 in audible sobs. A long silence followed the termination of the tale. 

 None seemed willing to disturb the sanctity of his sorrow ; till at last 

 one of the rough seamen, as though struck by some sudden notion,, 

 asked, in a hurried tone, whether the vessel which was plundered bore 

 the name of " La Providenza ?" 



" It did," replied the other. 



" Laden with corn and figs ?" 



" Yes, and a few silks." 



te Its captain Nicolo Benvenuti ?'* 



" True." 



" Then, grazie a Dio, your Teresa is safe ! We are just from Malta, 

 where a pirate had been lately brought in by the English ship of war, 

 the Medina. The plunder was given in charge thereto the government 

 authorities, till reclaimed by the owners : and it had been but a short 

 time enjoyed, for it was retaken on the very night after the robbery; 

 and, without doubt, the girl is at this moment in honest keeping, and 

 you may have her when you will." 



This speech was delivered with the rapidity of lightning- the honest 

 fellow's countenance sparkled all over with delight ; but the shock was 

 too much for the person he was addressing. He fell back in something 

 like a hysterical fit, from which he recovered but slowly, and with only a 

 half-belief of his unexpected happiness. 



The accommodations of the paltry inn at Covigliajo were no longer 

 considered despicable. 



M. M. New Series.VoL. V. No. 29. 3 O 



