66 Why, I had a week's liberty, and have been taking a day or two's hunting in the mountains. I meant to have reached Milan to-night, had it not been for this confounded brawl. May the murrain seize both the Guelphs and Ghibellines; but here comes the Governor-let us have our wits about us.' The officer in question, a stern-looking veteran, rode up to them as he finished speaking. "Who are you?" he said briefly; " and what is your business in Como?" "We are both Englishmen, belonging to the company of General Hawkwood," replied Oliver. 66 Then you have no business here-there are no English now in the service of the Lord of Milan. In his name, you are my prisoners." "But, please your Excellency, we took no part in the disturbance." "No matter: I must send you prisoners to Milan to-morrow." They were immediately marched off under an escort of half a dozen men-at-arms, and Alfred at once perceived the danger of his situation. If, as the governor of the town had threatened, they should be sent to Milan, he had but little chance of mercy from a prince of Visconti's character, who, besides being at that time irritated against his countrymen, would in all probability treat him as an accomplice of Manfredi. Occupied with these reflections, he walked in silence alongside of his companion, until they reached the public prison. The man who opened the door was meanly dressed, and seemed to regard with surprise the two spruce young gallants who were about to be consigned to his care, as if such guests were not received every day; and he treated his prisoners with such marked civility, that they exchanged glances of mutual satisfaction. The apartment into which he ushered them, was damp and small; but he busied himself so earnestly in providing it with seats, tables, and other necessaries, as if he had made up mind that his guests were about to take abode with him for a twelvemonth. his up their "I say, old fellow," said Oliver, when they were alone with the gaoler, "how long do you think we mean to stay in this pigsty?" "Just as long, signor, as his Excellency chooses to order." "Nonsense. Look you here." He held up a purse betwixt his finger and thumb as he spoke. The old man's eyes were rivetted on it for an instant, and he then turned them away, as if afraid of the temptation. "Do you see this, I say?" cried Oliver. 66 Nay, my masters: it were as much as my head is worth." But the man's looks belied his speech; for he stood gazing vacantly on the floor, apparently most willing to accept the bribe, but fearful of the consequences. Oliver stepped up to him, whispered a few words in his ear, and slipped the money into his hand. He weighed it mechanically for a second or two, and then bidding his prisoners a civil good night, closed the door behind him, and left the room. "He has promised to leave the outer door on the latch," said Oliver, when they were alone; "whenever it is dark, we will give yonder old mastiff of a Podesta the slip, and make the best of our way to Genoa; for the sooner you and I are beyond the reach of John Galeazzo the better. What say you, comrade?" Alfred, rejoiced at the prospect of so speedy a release, readily assented to this proposal, and they both waited with impatience until it was sufficiently dark for them to make the attempt. CHAPTER XIV. So bright at first, so dark at last, ΑΝΟΝ. AFTER five or six hours of suspense, and all had become quiet within the prison, Oliver approached the door on tiptoe, and cautiously opening it, beckoned on his companion to follow him. It was now dark, and the tumult in the street appeared to have subsided; but before they were at liberty, they had still to make their way through the outer door of the prison, which their keeper had engaged to leave unfastened for that purpose. |