Convinced that I was discovered, I was at a loss how to proceed, when
the idea occurred to me that I might conceal my own body in a cask, as I
had before so well concealed those of others.
I called the captain down into the cabin, and telling him that I had
reason to suspect that the cadi would take my life, offered him a large
part of the cargo if he would assist me.
The captain who, unfortunately for me, was a Greek, consented. We went
down into the hold, started the wine out of one of the pipes, and having
taken out the head, I crawled in, and was hooped up.
The cadi came on board immediately afterwards and inquired for me. The
captain stated that I had fallen overboard in the gale, and that he had
in consequence returned, the vessel not being consigned to any house at
Corfu.
"Has then the accursed villain escaped my vengeance!" exclaimed the
cadi; "the murderer, that fines his wines with the bodies of his
fellow-creatures: but you may deceive me, Greek, we will examine the
vessel."
The officers who accompanied the cadi proceeded carefully to search
every part of the ship. Not being able to discover me, the Greek captain
was believed; and, after a thousand imprecations upon my soul, the cadi
and his people departed.
I now breathed more freely, notwithstanding I was nearly intoxicated
with the lees of the wine which impregnated the wood of the cask, and I
was anxious to be set at liberty; but the treacherous captain had no
such intention, and never came near me.
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