As for his suspicions, once on terra firma, once that he had seen the indifferent, if not friendly, appearance of his hosts, his anxiety had quite disappeared, or rather, at sight of the goat, had turned to appetite.

He mentioned this to Gaetano, who replied that nothing could be more easy than to prepare a supper when they had in their boat, bread, wine, half a dozen partridges, and a good fire to roast them by.

"Besides," added he, "if the smell of their roast meat tempts you, I will go and offer them two of our birds for a slice." "You are a born diplomat," returned Franz; "go and try." Meanwhile the sailors had collected dried sticks and branches with which they made a fire.

Franz waited impatiently, inhaling the aroma of the roasted meat, when the captain returned with a mysterious air.
"Well," said Franz, "anything new ?--do they refuse ?" "On the contrary," returned Gaetano, "the chief, who was told you were a young Frenchman, invites you to sup with him." "Well," observed Franz, "this chief is very polite, and I see no objection--the more so as I bring my share of the supper." "Oh, it is not that; he has plenty, and to spare, for supper; but he makes one condition, and rather a peculiar one, before he will receive you at his house." "His house?
Has he built one here, then ?" "No; but he has a very comfortable one all the same, so they say." "You know this chief, then ?" "I have heard talk of him." "Favorably or otherwise ?" "Both." "The deuce!--and what is this condition ?" "That you are blindfolded, and do not take off the bandage until he himself bids you." Franz looked at Gaetano, to see, if possible, what he thought of this proposal.

"Ah," replied he, guessing Franz's thought, "I know this is a serious matter." "What should you do in my place ?" "I, who have nothing to lose,--I should go." "You would accept ?" "Yes, were it only out of curiosity." "There is something very peculiar about this chief, then ?" "Listen," said Gaetano, lowering his voice, "I do not know if what they say is true"-- he stopped to see if any one was near.
"What do they say ?" "That this chief inhabits a cavern to which the Pitti Palace is nothing." "What nonsense!" said Franz, reseating himself.
"It is no nonsense; it is quite true.