I laughed at him.

I put a chair for Teresa on deck, and gave her some big peaches.

I said, 'See, my Carmelo! what use is there in threats?
You will not kill me, and I shall not betray you.

You are a thief, and a bad thief--by all the saints you are--but I dare say you would not be much worse than the hotel-keepers, if you could only keep your hand off your knife.' (For you know, signor, if you once enter a hotel you must pay almost a ransom before you can get out again!) Yes--and I reasoned with Carmelo in this manner: I told him, 'I do not want a large fortune for carrying you and Teresa across to Termini--pay me the just passage and we shall part friends, if only for Teresa's sake.' Well, he was surprised.

He smiled that dark smile of his, which may mean gratitude or murder.