348 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



brothers amongst those unfortunate prisoners, and 

 it is the uncertainty of their fate which thus afflicts 

 me." 



The maiden gazed tearfully and imploringly at the 

 angry lady. It was not without good reason that she 

 concealed from her the fact of her father's captivity. 

 The stern and inflexible Dansowich had ever viewed 

 with an eye of disapproval the connection between 

 his people and the counsellors at Gradiska ; and the 

 latter, aware of this, would not have been likely to 

 take much pains for the release of one who was 

 imfavourable to their interests. It was only, there- 

 fore, by representing the captive Uzcoques as less 

 nearly connected with her, that Strasolda could 

 hope for aid to rescue them from the hands of the 

 Venetians. 



" So much the more should you desire the arrival 

 of the tribute ! " exclaimed the lady. "Did I not, at 

 your request, make interest with our ambassador at 

 Venice, that he should insist upon the surrender of 

 the Uzcoques as Austrian subjects? Assuredly the 

 feeble signoria will not venture to refuse compliance. 

 A casket of jewels is but a paltry guerdon for such 

 service, and yet even that is not forthcoming. But it 

 is not too late to alter what has been done. If I say 

 the word, the prisoners linger in the damp and fetid 

 dungeons of the republic, until they welcome death as 

 a blessing." 



"Alas, alas!" sobbed Strasolda; "have you the 



