I 
MALTA AND SICILY. 269 
a hawk-nosed fellow, called the “ Scrivano,” 
who kept the log-book and the accounts, blit 
took little or no part in the management of 
the vessel. He could sing and play on the 
guitar, but he w r as a very poor performer. 
However, the captain said that he was skilful 
in the use of another instrument, the stiletto , 
and that he had been imprisoned for two 
years for some deed committed wdth this 
weapon. 
My companions and myself occupied the 
only berths in the cabin, but the captain, his 
father and brother, and the stabbing Scrivano, 
usually slept there, lying on the floor, 
wrapped up in their cloaks. Delightful com¬ 
panions for the night, were they not, espe¬ 
cially he of the stiletto ? But though the 
company of such men was in the highest 
degree hateful and disgusting, I believe there 
w as no danger of their doing us any personal 
