human
Signora, signora, said a voice near her; she started on hearing herself addressed, and saw Jack Raby standing at her elbow.
gpt
I have come in a great hurry, and have not a moment to spare, to tell you that Signora Garden, your friend, is on the shore of the bay in a boat, and that there is a person very badly wounded in it, who will die if you cannot send him assistance; and also that, if you do not intercede for us with the pira--I mean with the chief of this island,--I and my companions shall, very likely, to-morrow morning, be hung, or shot, or have our throats cut, or be thrown over the cliffs, or, at all events, sent out of the world.
human
The Signora Garden, and one in whom she is interested, wounded, repeated Nina.
gpt
Ah! I see how it is. Tell me, frankly, boy. Is it the captain of the English brig who is wounded?
human
said the midshipman.
gpt
There is, therefore, you will see, still greater necessity for you to interfere in his favour.
human
I tell you, boy, if it were known who he was, and for what purpose he came here, I could not preserve his life for one instant, replied Nina.
gpt
He must not be brought up here on any account, for he would be certainly recognised in the morning. Have you met my brother, Signor Paolo. He alone can assist us.
human
What, the Italian gentleman? No, signora. I took too much care in coming up here to fall in with anybody,
gpt
Then I must go in search of him. We shall probably find him among the spectators of the fight. I will send him down to the boat. Tell the signora that there is a cottage close to the shore on the other side of the bay, to the inhabitants of which my brother has been of great service, by preserving the lives of their children in a dire sickness, and thither the wounded man shall be conveyed. If they have any gratitude in their nature, they will perform any service Paolo may require; and the English captain will be safe with them, even should they discover who he is. Now, hasten back to the bay with the message, and entreat Signora Garden to return to her tower, and to appear to take no further interest in him. It will betray him, to a certainty, if she does, and it can do him no good. I will, however, endeavour to arrange that you shall remain with him to attend on him. Tell her that, as soon as I have dispatched Paolo, I will go myself to meet her.