428 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



with the intention of obtaining information concern- 

 ing the Uzcoques, and more especially concerning her 

 he loved. He was assisted in his inquiries by the 

 good understanding existing between Venice and the 

 Porte ; and he soon learned that, after the burning of 

 Pesca, the pirates had suddenly ceased their excesses 

 and returned to Segna, taking the Proveditore with 

 them. They had not gone, however, either to the 

 castle or the town; but fearful lest the archduke 

 should interfere, and make them give up their illus- 

 trious prisoners, had betaken themselves to the moun- 

 tains, in the numerous caverns and lurking-places of 

 which they were able to conceal their captives. From 

 every mouth did the eager inquirer hear praises of the 

 female who accompanied the Uzcoques. K"one spoke of 

 her but in terms of love and gratitude. As regarded 

 her appearance accounts were at variance, some rep- 

 resenting her as young and beautiful, while others 

 compassionated her frightful ugliness ; and more than 

 ever perplexed by this conflicting testimony, Ibrahim 

 pursued his march and his inquiries, still hoping by 

 perseverance to arrive at a solution of the enigma. 

 -^While the young Turk was thus employed, the 

 Proveditore and his son were conveyed by their cap- 

 tors from one place of security to another, passing one 

 night in the depths of some ravine, the next amongst the 

 crags and clefts of the mountains, but always moving 

 about in the daytime, and never sleeping twice in the 

 same place. Since the evening of the revel at Pesca 



