"What instigated you to the deed?"
Not well knowing what to reply, as I was not exactly aware of the nature
of my offence, I answered that it was the blessed Virgin.
"Blasphemer!" cried the grand inquisitor, "what! the blessed Virgin
desired you to throw St Antonio overboard?"
"Yes," replied I (glad that at all events the crime was not what I had
anticipated), "she did, and told me that it would be the saving of the
vessel."
"Where were you?"
"On the deck."
"Where did you see her?"
"She was sitting on a small blue cloud, a little above the topsail yard.
'Fear not, Francois,' said she, motioning with her hand, 'to throw the
image overboard.'" The inquisitors were astonished at my boldness: a
consultation was held, as to whether I should be treated as a
blasphemer, or the circumstance blazoned into a miracle. But it
unfortunately happened for me that a miracle had occurred very lately;
and there were very few people to be burnt at the _auto da fe_ of the
ensuing month.
It was therefore decided against me. I was reviled, abused, and
sentenced to the flames; but I determined, as my only chance, to put a
good face upon the matter to the very last. Looking up, as if to a point
in the ceiling of the dark hall of judgment, and holding my hands
before, as if in amazement--"Holy Virgin," cried I, bending on my knee,
"I thank thee for the sign. My Lord," continued I fiercely, "I fear you
not; you have sentenced me to perish by the flames; I tell you that I
shall leave my dungeon with honour, and be as much courted as I have
been now reviled.
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