"
"Name it not! We shall not separate, though the Winkelried rot where she
lies. 'Twere easier to separate our faithful cantons than two such
friends."
"Nay, noble baron, you forget the wearied pilgrims and the many anxious
travellers in the bark."
"If twenty crowns will purchase thy consent, honest Baptiste, we will have
no further discussion."
"It is scarce in human will to withstand you, noble Sir!--Well, the
pilgrims have weary feet, and rest will only fit them the better for the
passage of the mountains; and as for the others, why let them quit the
bark if they dislike the conditions. I am not a man to force my commerce
on any."
"Nay, nay, I will have none of this. Keep thy gold, Melchior, and let the
honest Baptiste keep his passengers, to say nothing of his conscience."
"I beseech your excellency," interrupted Baptiste, "not to distress
yourself in tenderness for me. I am ready to do far more disagreeable
things to oblige so noble a gentleman."
"I will none of it! Signor officer, wilt thou do me the favor to cast a
glance at this?"
As the Genoese concluded, he placed in the hands of the watchman at the
gate, a paper different from that which he had first shown.
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