402 TKAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



as a brave and honourable, although misguided man, 

 and would gladly see you turn from the error of your 

 ways. Now is the time to ensure yourself a tranquil 

 and respected old age. Hearken to the proposals I 

 am empowered to make you. The Signoria offers 

 you life, freedom, and a captainship in the island of 

 Candia, on the sole condition, on your part, of dis- 

 closing the intrigues and perfidy of the council at 

 Gradiska, and furnishing us, as you are assuredly able 

 to do, with documents by which we may prove to the 

 archduke the treachery of his ministers. Again, I 

 say Eeflect ! or rather hesitate not, but decide at 

 once between a prosperous and honourable life, and 

 a death of degradation and anguish." 



Neither the threats nor the temptations held out by 

 the Proveditore seemed to have the smallest effect 

 upon the Uzcoque. 



" You are mistaken," replied he, calmly. " I am 

 not Dansowich, nor have I any knowledge of the 

 intrigues at Gradiska. I could not therefore, if I 

 wished it, buy my life by the treachery demanded 

 of me ; and if the woivodes of Segna think as I do, 

 they will let themselves be hewn in pieces before 

 they do the bidding of your senators, or concede 

 aught to the wishes of false and crafty Venice." 



" You are a brave man, Dansowich ! " resumed the 

 Proveditore, who saw the necessity of changing his 

 tactics. " You care little for the dangers and suffer- 

 ings of this world. But yet pause and reflect. Your 



