Rafael Sabatini

“ Dragut was very thoughtful when he heard that story.
"And to think," said he afterwards to Othmani, "that I paid that unconscionable dog fifteen hundred ducats, and gave him my best galley manned by two hundred Christian slaves that he might render himself as great a service as ever he rendered me!"
But he bore no malice. After all, the Genoese had behaved generously in that he had left Dragut--though not from motives of generosity--the entire glory of the exploit. Dragut's admiration for the impudent fellow was, if anything, increased. ”

“ He had been asked a question, and he answered it without malice.
"Our lord the Sublime Suleyman," said he, "is as keen a judge of beauty as any living man. I do the girl the honour of accounting her a gift worthy even of the Exalted of Allah. So I shall keep her safe against my next voyage to Constantinople."
And then Brancaleone's little lingering self-possession left him utterly. From his writhing lips came a stream of vituperation, expressions of his impotent rage, which continued even after the Nubian had struck him upon the mouth and Dragut had taken his departure. ”

“ Who is she?"
"My-my sister."
"Had you told me different you had been the first Christian I ever knew to speak the truth," said Dragut, quite amiably. "Well well, 'tis plain you're not to be trusted to sail a boat of your own. Best come aboard and see if you can do better at an oar."
"I'll not be trespassing on your hospitality," said Brancaleone with that amazing coolness of his.
Dragut wasted no time in argument. It was not his way. Of the grinning, turbaned corsairs who swarmed like ants upon the prow, he flung a half-score down into the felucca. ”

“ Meanwhile, he had been warned by the Sultan of Constantiaople, the Exalted of Allah, that the Emperor Charles, not content with the mischief he had already wrought, had, in letters to the Grand Seignior, avowed his intent to pursue to the death "the pirate Dragut, a corsair odious to both God and man." He knew, moreover, that the emperor had entrusted the task to the greatest seaman of the day--to the terrible Admiral of Genoa, Andrea Doria, and that the Genoese was already at sea upon his quest. ”

“ Brancaleone accompanied the Moslem fleet at first, though now aboard the galley which Dragut had given him in accordance with their agreement. And with the Genoese sailed the lovely Amelia Francesca Doria, his chest of gold, the jewels, and the fifteen hundred ducats that Dragut--grimly stifling his reluctance--had paid him. On the second day after leaving Jerbah, Messer Brancaleone and the corsair captain parted company, with mutual expressions of goodwill, and the Genoese put about and steered a north-westerly course for the coast of Spain. ”

“ What is written is written. Allah has bound the fate of each man about his neck. Betide what may, to-night we take the open sea."
"And by morning you'll have found the bottom of it," drawled a voice from one of the oars.
Dragut, who was standing on the gangway between the rowers' benches, whipped round with an oath upon the speaker. He encountered the languid eyes of Messer Brancaleone. The repose of the last few days had restored the Italian's vigour, and certain thoughts that lately he had been thinking had revived his courage.
"Are you weary of life?" quoth the infuriated corsair. ”

“ Brancaleone had time to stab but one of them before they overpowered him.
The prize proved far less insignificant than at first Dragut had imagined. For in addition to the eight slaves acquired--and the girl was fit to grace a sultan's harem--they found a great chest of newly minted ducats, which it took six men to heave aboard the galley, and a beautifully chiselled gold coffer full of gems of price. They found something more. On the gold coffer's lid was engraved the owner's name--Amelia Francesca Doria. ”

“ I am a man, Messer Dragut--never doubt it."
"I do not," said Dragut convinced. "I agree to your terms. Show me a way out of Doria's clutches, and you shall have all that you have asked for."
Trembling still from his recent emotion, Brancaleone hoarsely bade the corsair to call up his officers and repeat his words before them.
"And you shall make oath upon this matter," he added. "Men say of you that you are a faithful Moslem. ”

“ Then he half-turned to his Nubian swordsman.
"Ali--" he began, when Brancaleone once more cut in.
"Ah, wait," said he. "I pray you calm yourself. Remember how you stand, and that Andrea Doria holds you trapped. Do nothing that will destroy your only chance. Time enough to bid Ali hack off my head when I have failed."
That speech arrested Dragut's anger in full flow. He wheeled upon the Genoese once more. "You accept that alternative?"
Brancaleone met his gaze blandly. ”

“ The Genoese shrugged.
"Every man for himself, Messer Dragut. We understand each other, I think. 'Tis not for love of you that I do this thing."
"I would it were," said the corsair, with in odd sincerity. And as they returned to the galleys it was observed that Dragut's arm was about the shoulders of the infidel, and that he spoke with him as with a brother.
VII The fact is that Dragut, fired with admiration of Brancaleone's resourcefulness, deplored that so fine a spirit should of necessity be destined to go down to the Pit. ”

“ So he returned thanks to Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful, that he was still alive and free upon the seas, with three galleasses, twelve galleys, and five brigantines; and bent his energetic, resourceful, knavish mind to the matter of making good his losses. ”