I was rowing on, to put an end to the parley, when my eye caught sight of a bundle of garments on the boat's poop.
"Stay," cried I, "to show I bear you no malice, I will even make a purchase of you, if you have what I require." "Name it," said they, doubtfully.
"Have you a cloak, warm enough and smart enough, to wrap my poor old mother in, when I take her on the water ?" said I.
"That have we," cried the woman, fumbling in the heap, "but 'tis more than you will pay." "How much ?" I remanded.
She said a half-angel; but when I too eagerly pulled out my mistress's purse to pay her, her eyes gleamed and she said she was mistaken, she had no cloak there for less than a gold angel.
"Show it me," said I, coming alongside.
It was what I wanted, yet I durst not say so.

So I snatched it by force, and tossing the woman an angel, made off with my prize, leaving them amazed and swearing by all the heathen gods they had been robbed and left beggars.
While I delayed thus my pursuers had gained rapidly upon me, and I saw I must pull away in earnest if I was to avoid them.

So, comforted to have the cloak, and resolved, if I rowed all the way from here to the sea, I would overtake the _Misericorde_, I cast aside all languor and made my craft once more leap through the water.

The wind was freshening fast and helped me on.

Alas! I well knew it would soon do the same both for the Frenchman's sails ahead, and for my pursuers behind.