THE PIRATES OF SEGNA. 429 



they had not again beheld the mysterious old woman, 

 although they had more than once heard her clear and 

 silvery voice near the place allotted to them for con- 

 finement and repose. In certain attentions and com- 

 forts, intended as alleviations of their unpleasant 

 position, female care and thought were also visible ; 

 but all their efforts were vain to obtain a sight of the 

 friendly being who thus hovered around them. 



It was on a beautiful evening some fourteen days 

 after their capture, that the Proveditore and his 

 son lay upon the bank of the only river that waters 

 the rocky vicinity of Segna, wearied by a long and 

 rapid march. There was an unusual degree of bustle 

 observable amongst the Uzcoques, and numerous 

 messengers had been passing to and from the castle 

 of Segna, which was at no great distance from the 

 spot where they had now halted. From the various 

 indications of some extraordinary occurrence, the two 

 Venetians began to hope that the crisis of their fate 

 was approaching, and that they should at last know in 

 what manner their captors meant to dispose of them. 

 Xor were they wrong in their expectations. Suddenly 

 the mysterious old woman stood before them, her 

 partially veiled features bearing their wonted hideous 

 aspect, and her eyes, usually so brilliant, dimmed with 

 tears. 



" You are free," said she in an agitated voice to the 

 Proveditore and his son. " Our people will escort 

 you to Fiume in all safety, and there you will find 



