"Marc'antonio," said I, "my friends here are proposing to sail
northward to Cape Corso to-night. They require me to sail with them.
Am I free, think you?"
"Beyond doubt you are free, cavalier," answered Marc'antonio, still
without lifting his eyes.
"Now, for my part," I said, "I am not so sure. Suppose--look at me
please, my friend--suppose that you and I were to go first to the
Princess together and ask her leave?"
My uncle gazed up at Marc'antonio, who had sprung to his feet; and--
after a long look at his face--from Marc'antonio to me.
"Prosper," he said quietly, "we shall sail to-night. If we sail
without you, will your father forgive us? That is all I ask."
"Dear uncle," said I, "for the life of me I cannot tell you; but that
in my place he would do the like, I am sure."
CHAPTER XXII.
THE GREAT ADVENTURE.
"He that luvith a starre
To follow her, sinke or swym,
Hath never a feare how farre,
For the world it longith to hym:
For the road it longith to hym
And the fieldes that marcche beside--
Lift up thi herte, my maister then,
So inery to-morn we ride.
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