Then he watched his opportunity to help himself. It was some
time before he had an opportunity to do so unobserved, but at length
the chance came.
The first draught brought light to his eyes, and made him smack his
lips with enjoyment. It was so long since he had tasted the forbidden
nectar that he drank again and again. Finally he found himself
overcome by his potations, and sank upon the ground in a drunken
stupor.
He was getting over the effects when, to his ill-luck, the captain
returned from his usual solitary ramble.
"He has been at my brandy!" Captain Hill said to himself, with flaming
eyes. "The fool shall pay dearly for his temerity."
He advanced hastily to the prostrate man, and administered a severe
kick, which at once aroused the half-stupefied man.
Francesco looked up with alarm, for the captain was a much larger and
stronger man than himself.
"Pardon, signor captain," he entreated.
"You have been drinking my brandy, you beast," said Captain Hill,
furiously.
I draw a veil over the brutal treatment poor Francesco received. When
it was over he crawled away, beaten and humiliated, but in his eye
there was a dangerous light that boded no good to the captain.
Presently Francesco began to absent himself.
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