GENEROUS REVENGE. 375

__ He collected some debts due to him in the Neapo-
fitan dominions, and with the wreck of his fortune,
went to settle on one of the islands in the Archipelago,
belonging to the state of Venice. Here his industry
and capacity in mercantile pursuits raised him in a
course of years to greater wealth than he had possessed
in his most prosperous days at Genoa; and his reputa-
tion for honour and generosity equalled his fortune.

Among other places which he frequently visited as a
merchant, was the city of Tunis, at that time in
friendship with the Venetians, though hostile to most
of the other Italian states, and especially to Genoa.
As Uberto was on a visit to one of the first men of
that place, at his country-house, he saw a young
Christian slave at work in irons, whose appearance
excited his attention. The youth seemed oppressed
with labour, to which his delicate frame had not been
accustomed ; and while he leaned at intervals upon the
instrument with which he was working, a sigh burst
from his full heart, and a tear stole down his cheek.
Uberto eyed him with tender compassion, and addressed
him in Italian. The youth eagerly caught the sounds
of his native tongue, and replying to his inquiries, in-
formed him that he was a Genoese. “ And what is
your name, young man?” said Uberto. “ You need
not be afraid of confessing to me your birth and con-
dition.” “ Alas!” he answered, “ I fear my captors
already suspect enough to demand a large ransom.
My father is, indeed, one of the first men in Genoa.
His name is Adorno, and I am his only son.”
“ Adorno!’? Uberto checked himself from uttering
more aloud, but to himself he cried, “ Thank heaven!
then I shall be nobly revenged.”’

He took leave of the youth and immediately went
to inquire after the corsair captain, who claimed a
right in young Adorno, and having found him, de-
manded the price of his ransom. He learned that he
was considered as a captive of value, and that less than
two thousand crowns would not be accepted. Uberto