Mare Nostrum (Our Sea) A Novel

st streak of dawn, Toni felt a sens

ld say, looking through t

er the days. Ten had p

ired, had anchored in

more," the mate w

t knowing what to do, looking despondently at the other steamers which were moving their freighting antennae,

ve gained were it now under way. The advantage was all for the

this lamentable inertia, used to impel him toward Caragol's dominions. In spite of their d

rating us!" Toni

heir common affection for the captain, all being from the same land, and the employment of the Valencian dialect as the language of in

ay and obstructing the sunlight with his body, the old cook would reach out for hi

immovability of the Mare Nostrum. They would count up the cost as though the boat were t

is paying and the ship isn't earning anything, and we ar

ng up the steamer, becoming terrified on reaching the total. One day

o on!" Toni w

d to speak to him, considering it a lack of discipline to meddle in the management o

that the captain had just gone out. This individual with the air of a procurer mu

eing him laugh deceitfully while watching him wait hour after hour in the vestibu

ys the same. The captain was as greatly delighted to see him as if he were an apparit

ses would hide his uncertainty under a tone of prudence. He was awaiting a most valuable cargo; the longer they waited for it, the more money they were going to gain.... But hi

ferent man, with beard shaved, wearing his best clothes, and displaying in the arrangement of his person a most minute nicety, a decided wish to ple

most unbelievable

nd he threw up his arms, his blind eyes seeking the brandy bottles an

was to blame for it all; she who was going to hold the boat spellbound

follows after petticoats like a lap-dog.

hurling against womankind insults and curses e

in a launch, and the word was passed along through staterooms and corridors, giving new force to their arms, and lighting

a lively, happy air. At the same time, he saw in the exaggerated amiability of his smile a desire t

Ferragut, giving his hand, "we

s as though returning to it after a long voyage. It looked different to him; cert

in less than two weeks. For the first time he realized the great ch

opposite her, dressed like a man, and

rman woman

s most incomprehensible deta

to fight as a business. All vigorous men were now going to the battlefield, and the others were working in industrial centers which had been converted into workshops of war. And this gener

revelation, remained silent, but fina

o that, you

e operations voluntarily or for money, surprising the preparations of the enemy. Nowadays, with the mobilization of the nations en masse, the old official spy-a contemptible and villainous creature, daring death for money-

tly disconcerted

in questioned, guessing; wha

ot, a very learned woman, who was placing all her faculties at the service of her country. She ad

?" Ferragut co

n made a gest

atriot, but do not le

r. He suspected that she did not wish to hav

fects of the captain's meditations, suddenl

nd mutterings of the capital. The Italians were squabbling among themselves; some were parti

so much!" she exclaimed. "F

of the doctor, execrating the Italian country from a little w

eir tedious waiting with trips to neighboring

Freya. "I guessed from the very first instant that our

question in

.... It was because while I was loving you, at the same time I wished to separate myself from you. You represented an attraction and a hindra

inizing tenacity. She wished to sound the depths of his thoughts, to study the ripenes

ot be able to continue loving me after what I have revealed to you. Take yourself away in your boat, like the heroes of the legends; we shall not see each other more. A

on the divan, hiding her face in her arms, while a sobbing

ice of good counsel,-that prudent voice that always spoke in one-half of his brain whenever the captain found

have you to do with the country of this adventuress? Why should you encounter dangers for a cause tha

to be shipwrecked, to be reckless of danger for the mere pleasure of putting his vigor to the proof, also gave him counsel. It was

d her up, patting the loosened ringlets on her forehead, petting her

defend her from all her enemies. He did not know who he

e was going to be the most terrible in his history.... But in order to quiet his scruples, the other voice kept crying, "You are

d often spoken to him of solidarity of race, of Latin nations, of the necessity of putting an end to militarism, of going to war in order that there might be no more wars.... Mere vaporings of

at he was not thinking of abandoning her because of what she had said: and he even pledged his wo

Ferragut impetuousl

o longer had to hide her nationality. Freya simply called her Frau Doktor and she, with the glib enthusiasm of the professor, final

preparing a military force capable of crushing all humanity. All the other nations had driven him to it; they had all been the first

as on the high seas. The verbose positiveness of the doctor did not permit any doubt w

had been preparing the war for a long time, not wishing to show its hand until the last moment

nd!" affirmed the doct

xpectations, gallantly nodded his head....

al aboard the British boats. At the same time, their increasing power, invisible to the men on shore, monstrous for those who were living on the sea, had been producing

sh fleets; the landings on the coast of Spain that in other centuries had perturbed the life of the peninsula. England at the beginning of her greatness in the reign of Elizabeth, was the size of Belgium; if she had made herself one of the great powers

d punis

omplicated and contradictory Ulysses. He suddenly remembere

may He wait a little bit!"

atly exasperated when speaking of

dits!" she always crie

lia

fuse to follow their old friends. Now German diplomacy must busy itself, not to keep them at her side, but to prevent their going with the adversary. Every day she wa

casions that Freya separated herself from him, he used to go in search of her in the salon of

al nationality, and he knew that he knew it. But the two kept up the fiction of Count Kaledine, Russian diplomat, and this man exacted respect from every one in the d

ne who finds himself seated at table in a well-warmed dining-room and sees through

d he was not reading anything, not wishing to know anything. He was continuing his existence as though he were living in a paradisiacal felicity. Sometimes, while waiting for Freya, his memory would gloat ove

, something that was overshadowing his visage, furrowing his forehea

his mate, he leaned his elbows on the table and comm

ery soon," he repeated

ni; I believe that yo

a voyage had always told him the port of destiny and the special nature of the cargo.

celona that w

door, as though fearing to be overhe

without any danger, but one whi

u know all my affairs, because I

ence. He still remained impassive, though within him all the unea

military material. Once he had carried from Europe arms and munitions for a revolution in South America. Toni had recounted to him his adventures in the Gulf of Calif

as at the same time looking at him with questioning e

n affair of munitions.... It is a short and well-paid job that will

s, feeling a curious hesitation and

ng for it!... We are

n submarines

ible to him. Then he smiled lightly, shrugging his shoulders as though he had heard something absurd.... The Germans, perhaps, had submarines in the Mediterr

in a greatly reduced zone in the limited radius of action of which they were capable. The Mediterranea

himself with passion, he was already beginning to express h

ith the water and might be overwhelmed at the slightest shock.... But to-day there is something more: there is a submersible that is like a submarine protected by a ship's hull which is able to go hidden bet

ng German greatness and its inventive spirit as though he

entially, placing hi

m those who have told it to me.... The German submersibles are going to enter the Mediterr

at his subordinate, and smiling

maining pensive with downcast eyes. Then, little by little,

N

chair with the impulsiveness o

cargo. Besides, he was the proprietor; no one exceeded him in command; his power was unlimited. Through friendly affection and custom, he had cons

tion, merely confined himself to answering,

...

gut, waxing impatient and in

esitating,-confused, bewildered, scratching his bea

f his ideas suffered terribly before coming anxiously from his mouth.... But, finally, little by little, between his stutter

the water, disguising their long and murderous eyes like the visual antennae of the monsters of the deep. This aggression without danger appeared to revive in his soul the outraged souls of a hundred Mediterran

the eyes to its treacherous blows, accepting them as glorious achievements.... But there is something more than th

uish splendor. He was feeling the same wrath that he had experienced when reading the ac

the Germans grouped on the decks of dripping steel, laughing and joking, satisfied with the rapid result of their labors; and for a distance of many miles the sea was filled with black bulks dragged slowly along by the waves-men floating on their backs, immovabl

ate as its innocent passengers. This imagination had made him feel so intense a wrath that he even mistrusted his own self-control on the day that he should again encounter German sailor

Amphitrite, but he trembled for her with a religious fervor, without even knowing her. Was the luminous blue from which had arisen the early gods to be dishonored by the oily spot that would disclose assassination en masse!... Were the rosy strands from whose foam Venus had sprung to re

but not succeeding in expressing it, so he l

't tolerate i

adopted a conciliatory tone like that of a father w

of their attacking defenseless barks as in the northern seas. Their drastic exploits there had been imposed by circums

rt. People who ought to know have told me so.... If that had n

faith, with absolute confidence in the

that matter to us?... That is war! When we were carrying cannons and guns to the revolutionists i

sted in hi

n can be answered by cannon. He who strikes also receives blows.... But to aid the submarines is a ver

exasperated Ferragut, exhaus

ain and I command as I see fit.... I have given my promise, and I

ast. His eyes shone again, becoming moist. After a long period

y, Ulys

he Mare Nostrum. Perhaps he might not get another job, perhaps the other captains might not like him, considering him to have grown too habituated to excessi

y indignant, eve

barbarian!... What a s

aggerated scrupl

"You know already what we know, and I know very

haughtily. Now it was

ur grandparents did the same thing. There is not a single honorable sailor on ou

luding the vigilance of the employees in order to evade an insignificant payment. Every one down in his heart was a smuggler.... Besides, thanks to these fraudulent navigators, the poor were able to smoke better and more ch

s simple logic, now appealed

l continue friends as we have always been. On some other occasion

uch touched by his plead

t.... I

mething more to round ou

Republi

ountable barrier, striking himself at the same time on t

's political affirmations. But the situation was not one for

war in order to strengthen her jurisdiction and if she should achieve the victory, her haughtiness would have no limit. Poor Germany had

f the English, Toni? You,

knew what he ought to say. He had read it in the writings of gentlemen who knew quite as much as his

ght to be. I am

nce was the country of the great Revolution, and for that reason he considered it

ed to say more.

o rests and gathers all his forc

stress of the entire world for a century and a half. Once we were everywhere; now we are in the soup. Then came France's turn. Now it is England's.... I

ting his attention in

ished

o pay for the luxury of a king for its grand ceremonials. With her, peace would be inevitable, the government managed by the people, the disappearance of the great armies, the true civilization. If Germany triumphs, we shall live as though we were in barracks. Militarism wi

himself that he had not left any forgotten idea in the corners of his cranium. Again he struck himse

he repeated energetically, as though havi

swer this simple and solid enth

; I don't need you. It is enough for me to take my boat where it pleases me and to follow out my own

mate, hiding his head in his hands, in order to make him understand th

sy, finally released a tear.... To separate thus, after

t, inexpressive hands. Its cold contact made him hesitate. He felt inclined to

y, Ulys

htest word of farewell. The mate was already near the door when

. Everything remains between us two. I will make up some excuse

e were afraid to appear

ns himself with his galley, will criticize you.... Perhaps they will obey you because you are the captain, but when they go ashore, you will not be

the chain of authority which united him to his men had been broken. The mate was carrying away a part of the prestige that Ferragut exercised over the crew. How could he explain his disappearance on the eve of an ille

onio? Go find him

f voices from poop to prow, while Uncle Caragol's

face, avoiding his glance, and with a complex and contradictory gesture. He felt angry at being vanquished and the shame of weakness yet, allied to t

is nothing to say. I will redeem my word as best I can....

the latter passing silent and scowling before the door of his galley. Now the same presentiment advised him that a reconciliation between the two men whose figures he could only distinguish confusedly, must have taken plac

in the hotel. He had returned to land, nervous and uneasy. His uneasi

ch fears," he said to himself upon enteri

rything quickly.... "I could not undertake the service that the doctor

intimacy. She always hated Toni. "Hideous old faun!..." From the

continued. "You can do what you want to,

in became furious at him. She appeared to have grown suddenly ten years older. To the sailor she seemed to have another

aud.... Southern

er. It might be possibl

em find another. He was

in Barcelona, and he

s long as she

myself to you, believing you to be a hero, belie

rious, giving the d

e doctor," thought Ferr

e same time, the injurious word, the cutting insults with which she had accompanied her departure caused s

urn at once to the ship, but feared a revival of the memories evoked by silence. It would be better to remain in Naples, to go to the theater, to trust to the luck of some chance

w served as a pretext to disguise the baser object. The recollection of Freya, fresh-looking and gay, kept ris

of his room. He entered.... She was awaiting him-reading, tranquil and smiling. Her face, refreshed and retouched

er, she arose with

. Tell me that you will forgive me!... I was ver

his neck with a feline purr. Before the captain c

hours!... Swear to me that you have not been unfaithful

d face, her mouth app

unfaithful.... I still

ses! My

is thoughts and annulling his will-power, making him tremble from head to foot. All was forgotten,

he was recapitulating what they had not said, bu

faun, who is nothing but a drawback. You are to remain here, on land.... You will be

ssel with an air of command which admitted no opposition. The Mare Nostrum must set forth at once for Barcelona. He would entru

stood with his mouth open, not venturing to speak a single word.... This wa

eturn as soon as possible to take up your command.... Do

of the steamer Ulysses radicall

s of the tourists and servants were annoying her. Besides, she wished to enjoy complete liberty in her love af

mewhat dismantled and without furniture, a labyrinth of partitioned walls and passageways, in which the captain was always getting lost, and having to appeal

a grand salon, rich in moldings and gildings and poor in furniture. Three armchairs, an old divan, a table littered with papers,

ted. Ulysses attempted to make a fire on a hearth of colored marble, big as a monument, but he had to desist half-suffocated by the

the thousand little inconveniences of material existence. Freya would prepare breakfast on a small alcohol stove, defending h

servant for their most common n

rhaps she mig

er lips took on an expr

eceived visitors. Sometimes he would pass through the row of deserted rooms in order to ask s

personality. Then the man he was before that meeting in Pompeii would

self into?" he would as

affair ever going

oduced by the displacement of her adorable body, this second person would fold itself bac

d accept the impetuous caress of her lips, the entw

ments that separate me from yo

asking in order to realize their passing. After a week passed in the doctor's home, he would sometimes suppose

ns for a breakfast made by themselves. If it was necessary to go after some eatable forgotten the day bef

mysterious. Suddenly she would spring up impetuously like a spring that is unwound, like a serpent that uncoils itself, and would begin to dance, almost without

eat. The sailor was half-drunk, but with a drunkenness wisely tempered

had known when he was a hopeless suppliant, and which saw him now with her hanging on his arm, with a proud air of possession. If nightfall surprised them

hing Ferragut's very soul, as though doubtful of his fidelity. Then she would become more affectionate in the course of these banquets, composed of cold meats with a great abundance of drinks, i

ou!... Do not disappoint her; obey he

would appear very gay, with an ironic and tedious gayety. "The mandolin-strummers appear to be coming to their senses. Ger

e had brought back from her trip a portrait which she p

hero whose name brings tears of enthusiasm to

de hair were seated on his knees. Five youngsters, chubby and tow-headed, appeared at his feet with crossed legs, lined up in the order of their ages. Near his shoulder extended a double line of braw

e face of a kindly person with clear eyes and grayish, pointed beard. He

voice was chanting the

s Kaiser has decorated

norary citizenship in

nish E

pedoed one of the greatest English transatlantic steamers. Out of the twelve hundred passengers from New

nded with his biblical progeny, like a good-natured burgher. And a man who appeared so complacent had committed such butchery without encountering any danger

war," s

tory tone of her friend. "And it is our right also. They blockade us, and

ess. The doctor had many times told him that, thanks to her organization, Germany could neve

mplacable, in order that it may not last so long. It is our human duty t

ce of something beyond the influence of her caresses. The following day his pensive res

the coast of England. They had to cut short, cost what

ill ever occur. I can assure you of that....

ising new fascinations, that her lover might never be surfeited. He, on his part, came to believe that he was living with several women at the same time, l

e sailor's passion, alleviating the tedium of satiety, yet at the same time giving to her caresses

ot yielded in the slightest degree to the passing of the years. A couple of colored shawls served as her transparent clothing. Waving them a

ing in awaking her from her tropical dream. Wi

ed Argonaut!.

ing his beard, and pushing him so as to edge in

e gloomy fire that was smouldering in his eyes. The exotic dance had made him recall her past and in order to re

er to make him smile a bit?... What shall I do

xpensive essences. In that scantily furnished room, like the interior of an army and navy supply store, the cut glass flasks with gold and n

it! Ta

on Ferragut's hair, over his curled beard, advising the sailor t

es would sometimes revolt against this effeminateness. At ot

, and, passing by this luminous square, he would see the melancholy C

blotting out the vision. "Enjoy the present!...

al luxurious state with the selfishness of the satrap who,

eaves of skirts, silk petticoats, white negligees, perfumes and portraits, all scattered over the furniture or tossed in the corners. When Freya, tired of dancing in the center of the salon, was not curling herself up in his arms she took delight in opening a box of sand

ng him the string of pearls

little creatures that she needed in contact with her skin. She was im

urmur, contemplating them amorously. "This light ambe

of her organism. They might grow pale and die if they wer

t were her great pride,-earrings and finger-rings of great price, mixed with

o Ferragut, while she rubbed against her bar

rted into a magnet. A bit of paper placed a few inches

of thick cut glass, and the scrap of paper remained m

easures in the casket and set herself to beguiling th

e was drinking heavily in order to give new vigor to his organism which was beginning to break down under the excesses of his voluptuous seclusion. At the slightest s

would always reappear another Freya who was not Freya, but Do?a Constanza, the Empress of Byzantium. He could see her dressed as a peasant girl, just as

ted across the centuries, taking on a new form. She was born of the union of a German and an Italian, just like this other one.... But the chaste empress was now smiling i

; all the rest is illusion. Kiss me, Ferragut!... I have returned to life in order to recompense

throughout his entire person, making him awake.... Upon

. It is already night.

the first stars that were beginning to sparkle above the roofs. He felt th

ng the shore, avoiding the people. One night they stopped in the gardens of the Villa N

le rascal!... You threatened me

mber things! But she refuted his corr

d that is enough. You must become accust

ade by machinery, plaster walls imitating oak, and neo-Gothic crystals-the proprietor used to exhibit as a great

immediately; it was a

have been in that, too.... We were

was astonished at the audacity of this manufacture of souvenirs. "Germa

reproduced. Then, on German soil, they had manufactured Peruvian antiquities in order to sell them to the tourists who visit the ancient realm of the Incas. Some of the inhabitants received wages for dis

had employed in speaking of such industries. Who had fabricate

eat intelligence in business matters. We returned from Peru with the mummy of an Inca which we exhibited in almost all t

arch, snatched from the repose of his tomb.... One more! Each of Fre

ughing at her memories surveying across the years, with a flattering optimism, this far-away adventure of her

illed himself in one shot and now the fabricator of antiquities.... How many more men had there been in

r's wrath was terrifying. Then she laughed, leaning h

e to hear you. Complain away!... Beat me!... It's the first time that I've seen a jeal

y wrath, provoked by amorous indignation. Ulysses appeared to her a very different m

an hero! How I love you! Come .

t, and at the first step in the narrow and dark passageway embraced him, turning her back on the movement and

w many had preceded him?... He must know. He wished to know, no matter how horrible the kno

"I ought to know you, since you b

ence appeared to peep out from the melancholy curl of her lips. In her gleamed the wisdom of the

. "How much further could you go on that?... Would

steps and then said as t

. Quite the contrary. A little bit of mystery keeps up the illusi

al to love. It was too strong, too crude. Love was like certain women, beautiful as goddesses unde

s of the past. Is not the present e

re sweet yet weighed heavily upon him. Strongly convinced of his vileness, he nevertheless adored and de

g in his culinary dominion. Whenever he had wished to call down the greatest

ou a female to

, and each time would leave him with less energy to protest, accepting the most disgraceful situations in exchange for love.... And it would always be so! And

nly about her actual life. These questions were chiefly concerned with the doctor's mysterious work; he wished to know with the interest that the slightest actio

ld not know everything, because above her were the count and other personages who used to come from time to time to visit her like passing tourists. And the chain of a

or stating what her final aim was to be. The most of the time she had been moved about without knowing toward what her efforts were converging, like a wh

and dubious proceedings employed

re ridiculous and worn-out measures that a

s of obvious methods; thus the modern world, so intelligent and subtle, would refuse to believe in them. By simply telling th

people consequently could not seem to believe in it,-although it was taking place rig

euvers, the opinion of the world which believes only in ingenious and difficul

nes with famous names, winning the confidence that illustrious dowagers inspire. They were very numerous, but they did not know each other. Sometimes they met

years before. Ulysses was slow to recognize her as

our interest to know the real force of tha

in short skirt, riding boots, a m

from the T

German women of the "service" in order to sound the

ywhere," she af

o?" questione

tely, two days before the rupture of hostilities, she had received news enabling her to avoid being made prisoner in a concentration camp.... And she did not wish to say

on, she spoke of the dangers that

r, is a heroine.... You laugh, but if you should know her arsenal

lgar weapons, and Freya referred freely to a porta

her own invention,-tobacco, red pepper.... Perfect little devils! Whoever gets

h she managed to keep hidden just as certain insects hide their sting, without knowing certainly when it migh

hat gusto I could pierce th

een, triangular stiletto of genuine steel, cappe

rior. "What have you mixed yourself up with, my son!" But his tendency to discount danger,

tors were increasing in number. Sometimes, when Ulyss

hey're having a

creened door of the office closing behind many men, all of them of Teutonic aspect, travelers who had just disem

preoccupied than usual.

lor as though she

nion told him. "Those accursed mandoli

mechanically repeated. Besides, a monstrous debilitation was making him think in self-defense of the tranquil life of the hearth. He timi

ays," repl

d she affirmed that only three weeks had p

. "They will be expecting me in Barcelona; I ha

distraught air, not wishing to understand his timid

sacrificing yourself for me. Soon you will be able to go to Barcelona, and I-I shall jo

ifice exacted of Ferragut. After that,

d the sailor. The lady's voice, always so good-natured

steamer, she had prepared another boat for him. He was merely to follow the instruc

es had gone out in the street without Freya, and in spite of his

e schooner with a greenish hull. Ferragut, who had taken in its exterior with a single glance, ran his eye over its deck.... "Eighty tons." Then he exami

. It was a Sicilian schooner from Trapani, built for fishing. An artistic calker had sculptured a wooden cray-fish climbing over the

e hold full of boxes. He recognized this cargo; eac

remained silent behind him, following him i

e veterans of the Mediterranean, silent and self-centered, accustomed to obey orders mechani

o more?" Fer

moment of its departure. This would be just as soon as the loading was fini

quickly, Captain. Perhaps you may be adv

oat, the discretion with which she had had it loaded,-with all the details of this business that had been develop

rking such miracles. All the German merchants of Naples and Sicily had been giving aid.... And convinced that the captain migh

came in search of him. All was read

, who went out, returning immediately with a tall, thin bottle. It was mellow Rhine wine, the gift of a merchant of Naples, that

s the No

solemn slowness, as though offering a religious libation to the mysterious power hi

s lips, wishing to hide a ripple of laught

ers," murmured F

to his health with their e

urn promptly and with all happiness, since you are working

The count began a protest, but stopped on seeing

much!... Something must

d not but look attentively at the count's appearance. He was now dressed in blue, with a yachts-man's black cap, as thou

any further. She would attract attention in the little harbor dell' Ovo frequented only by fishermen. As the t

e!... Go

st out weeping with a nervous sobbing. It seemed to him that she had never been so sincere

!... Good

daring to turn his head, suspecting

an who was just descending from a carriage, carrying a suit-case. Ferragut was instantly reminded of his son Esteban. The young

his cabin. "He could retire."... Then he looked over the crew. In addition to the three old Sicilians he now saw seven husky young fe

unt as though inviting him to depart. The boat was gradually detaching itself fro

nger concerned with him, and devoted all his efforts to conducting the boat out of the little harbor, directing its course through the gulf. The glass windows on the shore of S. Lucia trembled with the vib

sh delights of resting alone. He was living among men.... And he appreciat

per, he felt wakeful because of the memories that were again

they exchanged very few words. The common life lessened the haughtiness of the pretended diplomat and enabled the captain to discover new merits in his personality. The

he navy," he

nted, judging diss

as a nava

Ferragut was thinking without discovering why this man should seek his

must also have come from some fleet. Discipline was making them respect Ferragut's orders, but th

se toward the west, followed the coast of Sicily, from Cape Gallo to the Cape of Vito

to narrow between Tunis and Sicily, where the volcanic peak of th

followed by Ferragut in accordance with his desire. He finally cou

r sea well,"

ruly was his. He could call it "mare nostrum" jus

within the limits of the extensive ledge of the Aventura. He was navigat

d to Ferragut as though he were muttering the name of Gibraltar. The passage from the

hort distance, and the count clambered up the rigging in

, pointing out a speck on the horizon. He must steer in

a level with the water, painted in a gray that made them seem a short distance away of the same color as the sea. They came around on both sides of the sailboat as though they were going to crush it with the meeting of their h

of heads were sticking out. The officers and crews were dressed like fishermen from the northern coast with waterproof suits of one piece and oilskin hats. Many of them were swinging their tarpaulins ove

steel decks and Ferragut saw his vessel invaded by two files of seamen. In a moment the hatchways were opened; there sounded the crash of breaking pieces of wo

as listening to an officer d

of Gibraltar, completely submerged, seeing through

e officer. "Not even the slightest

nd!" said the count n

replied the official a

me

the sailors even pushed him to one side in the haste of their work. He was the mere

count was in possession of the situation. Ferragut saw him approaching as though he had

t easily forgotten. Perhaps we shall never see each other aga

ng him to another perso

Archibald von Kramer,

iplomatic r?le had not

Naval Attaché in

e. Everything had been foreseen.... He must deliver the command to the true owner of the schooner, a timorous man who had made them pay very

they will soon have news of us. We are going

the submarines. Then he thought he recognized on the submersible two of the sailors of the crew of the schoon

ry so many cases. When the hold was empty, the last German sailors disappeared and with them the

oline were nearer the level of the sea than on their

tern of the schooner, the Span

hat have you done!" clamo

to bestir himself greatly in order to supply the lack of men. For two nights and a day he scarcely rested, managing al

ragut was able to sleep for the first time, leaving the watch of the boat in charge of one of the seamen, who ma

is the

r to bring it into port in the customary legal form. The skiff was commissioned to take Ulysses ashore with his litt

ady informed of what is

oarsmen made the skif

... Those mando

his indignant burgher was a German, one of those that were u

protection of his obese companion had made all the guards drowsy. The good gentleman showed, notwithsta

o Naples. "You do well.... The train leaves in two hours." And

n almost believed that he had dre

rom "Jerusalem Delivered." He recalled the names of the principal roads,-the roads of the old Spanish viceroys. In one square he saw the statue of four kings of Spain.... But all these souvenirs only inspired in him a fleeting interest. What he particu

ation he learned the tr

hant had alluded while

d broken her relations

al Po

eir flags, were going to guess his exploit and fall upon him. It was necessary to get away from this patriotic enthusiasm, and he breathed more freely when he found

g all means of communication. The train would remain immovable for hours together in order to give the right of way to other trai

of forty-eight hours, it seemed to him that the coachma

a fat old crone with dusty, frizzled hair whom he had sometimes caugh

ave suddenly left with Karl, their employee." And she explaine

the sailor as a probable spy fit for patriotic denunciation. Nevertheless, through professional honor, she told him that the b

collect those valises. And taking another carriage, he betook

enter. Before Ferragut could inquire for Freya, with the vague hope tha

on has been here

ttered in disma

ine, "Esteban Ferragut, Barcelona." Ulysses recognized his son's handwrit

mornings he had accompanied him in order to point out to him the best things in the city. He had inquired among the consignees of the Mare Nostrum, h

ve hours sooner, you would

le to say good-bye to the young man when he left the hotel, undecided whether to make the trip in an Eng

eyes, gave himself up to long mental calculation.... Finally he reached a

then, that youth whom he had seen entering the albergo the very day that he was go