400 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



repeated several times in tones deep and sepulchral. 

 Starting up in alarm, he saw the door of his prison 

 open, and give admittance to a man muffled in a black 

 cloak, who walked up to the foot of his bed of damp 

 straw, and threw the rays of a dark lantern full into 

 his dazzled eyes. 



The traces of recent and strong emotion, visible at 

 that moment on the pirate's countenance, did not 

 escape the Proveditore, who attributed them, and 

 rightly, to an artifice he had practised. Previously 

 to entering the dungeon, he had caused the name of 

 Xicolo Dansowich to be repeated several times in a 

 deep hollow voice. Aware of the superstitious credu- 

 lity of the Uzcoques, the wily Venetian had devised 

 this stratagem as one likely to produce a startling 

 effect upon the prisoner, and to forward the end he 

 proposed to obtain by his visit. He now seated him- 

 self upon a wooden bench, the only piece of furniture 

 in the dungeon, and addressed the captive in a mild 

 and conciliating tone. 



" You should keep better watch over your dreams," 

 said he, "if you wish our tribunals to remain in igno- 

 rance of your secrets." 



" My dreams ! " repeated the Uzcoque, somewhat 

 startled by the ominous coincidence between Mar- 

 cello's words and the visions that had broken his 

 slumber. 



" Ay, friend, your dreams ! The jailers are watch- 

 ful, and little passes in these prisons without coming 



